Newcastle Airport is preparing to welcome 5,000 Sunderland AFC fans after the club's first European campaign in 53 years got off to a winning start.
The Black Cats marked their long-awaited return to Europe with a 1-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the Stadium of Light in their opening UEFA Europa League match.
With away trips to Belgium, Italy, Poland and Portugal now on the horizon, the Airport has secured 13 additional direct flights to help fans follow the team across Europe.
The first away fixture takes place against Portuguese side Torreense on October 15. As the club's 2,500-capacity stadium in Torres Vedras does not meet UEFA requirements, the match will instead be played in Leiria, located between Lisbon and Porto.
Fans can travel direct to Lisbon with easyJet, and Porto with Jet2.com.
Sunderland then face Lech Poznan in Poland on October 22, with a direct charter flight available to book through sports tour operator, WorldChoice Sports.
Supporters can also fly direct to Gdansk or Wroclaw with Ryanair before taking advantage of onward rail and road connections to Poznan.
The standout fixture of the campaign comes on December 10, when Sunderland face seven-time European champions AC Milan at the iconic San Siro.
easyJet will operate a direct flight to Milan Malpensa, while Ryanair offers services to Milan Bergamo. Supporters can also book charter flights through sports tour operators Wonky Sheep, Sport Options and WorldChoice Sports to Milan Malpensa. Package holidays including accommodation may also be available.
Fans travelling to Anderlecht on January 21 can fly direct to Brussels with easyJet or Brussels Charleroi with Ryanair.
Alongside the additional flights, supporters can take advantage of the Airport's existing scheduled services, with connections available via Heathrow, Amsterdam and Paris to all of Sunderland's European destinations.
Sunderland’s other home fixtures are against Dinamo Zagreb and Jagiellonia in November and Levski Sofia in January.
Chris Ion, Head of Aviation Development at Newcastle Airport, said: "Sunderland's return to Europe for the first time since 1973 is an incredibly exciting moment for the club, its supporters and us here at Newcastle Airport.
"We are proud to have worked with our airline partners and trusted ATOL-protected tour operators to secure 13 additional flights alongside our existing scheduled services, helping thousands of fans to follow the team across Europe.
"We are also looking forward to welcoming visiting supporters to the North East, giving them the opportunity to experience everything the region has to offer while enjoying what promises to be some unforgettable European nights at the Stadium of Light."
For the latest flight information, including details of the additional services, visit www.newcastleairport.com/our-destinations/sunderland-afc-europa-league-2026-27.