The Durham County FA has confirmed that the 2026 Durham Challenge Cup Final will take place at the Stadium of Light on April 14, 2026. The announcement is significant for residents in Washington, Tyne and Wear, providing a local opportunity to see a high-profile county cup match at a premier venue. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm and is billed as a showcase for the best non-league talent in the region.
According to Durham County FA, the event is being staged through a partnership with Sunderland AFC to support grassroots football. Tickets will be available digitally via Sunderland AFC’s eticketing portal, with expected prices of £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for concessions (under-16s and over-65s). Finalist teams will be decided in semi-finals scheduled for February and March, and participating clubs will receive dedicated block allocations for their supporters.
Local clubs such as Washington United FC are expected to play a central role in the matchday experience. Young players from the area may have the chance to take part as mascots or in short halftime exhibition matches, subject to finalist confirmation and organiser arrangements. Durham County FA and community partners say such access is intended to inspire the next generation of players and connect grassroots clubs with the wider football community.
Getting to the match is straightforward for those living in Washington: the 56 and X24 bus services provide direct links from Washington Galleries to Sunderland/Stadium of Light, and the drive via the A1231 is typically around 15 minutes, with parking available at nearby sites such as St Peter’s Campus and the Stadium of Light park-and-ride. Fans should note that, under the competition rules, if the match is level after 90 minutes there is no extra time and the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.
