US rock giants Red Hot Chili Peppers are to play one of only two UK concerts next year in the North-East.

The four-piece band from Los Angeles will be topping the bill at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light next June.

It is one only two massive stadium shows the Chili Peppers will be playing in 2012 in the UK, before they move on to Ireland for a single date in Dublin.

The home of Sunderland AFC, which has become a regular venue for big summer stadium concerts in recent years, will play host to the band on Sunday June 24, the night after their appearance at Knebworth Park, in Hertfordshire.

They then play a single concert in the Republic of Ireland at the home of Gaelic sports at Croke Park, on Tuesday June 26.

The Stadium of Light gig will also be the Peppers first-ever major show in the North-East, a far cry from their only previous appearance in the region, at the 400-capacity Newcastle Riverside, in 1990.

One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold more than 60 million albums, five of them multi-platinum sellers, while they have also won six Grammy Awards.

The rest of the line-up for the stadium show will be announced in due course.

Tickets go on sale from on Friday (NOV 4), at 9am.

Sunderland AFC’s chief executive Margaret Byrne said: "This is a fantastic coup for the club and the city and we are delighted to welcome another act of such immense stature in the music world to our stadium.

"The Stadium of Light is now firmly established as a major player on the concert circuit, which is further cemented by the fact that we are one of only two venues that Red Hot Chili Peppers will be playing in the UK next year."

A limited number of tickets, priced £45, will be available from the stadium ticket office from 9am on Friday.

These tickets, for general admission in unreserved seating/standing areas, are for in-person purchases only as bookings cannot be taken via telephone.

Credit/debit card purchases are subject to a booking fee.

The club said in the interests of safety anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult and no children under the age of five can attend.

Purchasers of tickets from Friday will be issued with a voucher which can be redeemed for an actual concert ticket nearer the time of the show.

Other UK ticket outlets are online via kililive.com/rhcp, seetickets.com, or ticketmaster.com, while tour credit card hotlines are via 0844-871 8803, or 0871-989 1601.

Hospitality packages are available in the stadium’s various luxury suites, with prices starting from £125 per person.

Reservations can be made via email to rhcp@safc.com, or by ringing the club’s hospitality line, on 0871-911 1555.

Existing SAFC seasonal hospitality members are advised to contact the club, via www.safcconcerts.com, as soon as possible.