Excitement is building as Elton John is set to play to 30,000 adoring fans on Sunday (June 19) night at the Stadium of Light.

The music legend is visiting the North East for one night only on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, billed as his final ever tour.

Concertgoers have been encouraged to arrive early and plan their journeys to avoid long queues.

Sunderland BID is also running a packed programme of outdoor activity between 12 and 6 across the whole city centre on Sunday including circus performances and wandering musicians.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the show:

What are the timings for the gig?

According to the Stadium of Light, gates will open at approximately 4:30pm with Elton John due to come on stage around 7pm.

It is expected to run until around 9.45pm

Read more: Elton John in Sunderland: Eight places to eat ahead of Stadium of Light gig

Who is supporting Elton John?

There will be no support act for the concert to allow Elton to perform more of his greatest hits.

Can I take a bag into the stadium?

Organisers have said that all items and bags carried by attendees will be inspected upon entry and bags cannot be larger than a sheet of A4 paper.

Can I take my own food and drink into the stadium?

Concertgoers are not permitted to bring their own food and drink into the stadium.

According to event organisers there will be an extensive range of food and drink available to purchase in the courtyard and stadium.

Read more: EDF apologise to Spennymoor woman double billed over £8,000

Is there more public transport running?

Extra bus and Metro services will be running before and after the gig.

Those using the Metro are advised to leave plenty of time to get to Sunderland before the concert, and to use St Peter’s or Stadium of Light Metro stations afterwards, where extra staff and queue management will be in place.

The last train towards Newcastle leaves St Peter’s at 23:59pm, or Stadium of Light at 00:00am.

The last train to South Hylton will leave Stadium of light at 23:43pm, calling at St Peter’s at 23:45pm.

Are there any road closures?

Roads surrounding the venue will be closed with no pick up and drop off areas immediately outside the stadium.

Drivers travelling from the south to use the A1018 and A690 exits from the A19 and drop people off in the city centre or at Dame Dorothy Street, with the Stadium of Light a short walk away.

Read more: Odeon to close Darlington LUXE cinema on Northgate

Keir Hardie Way will be closing meaning vehicles from the north and west are advised to use the park and walk site at Sunderland Enterprise Park via the A1231 Wessington Way.

Where can I park?

There will be no parking available on the stadium grounds and drivers have been reminded that residential streets around the stadium are restricted with residential parking permits.

Council-run St Mary's and Sunniside Car Parks charge a flat rate of £2 to park all day on Sundays, with more than 1,300 city centre car parking spaces, plus on/off street parking available.

There are also several privately run car parks all within walking distance.

What is the setlist?

Elton John is expected to play some of his biggest hits. He is expected to start with Bennie and the Jets and close the show with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Read the full setlist here.

What will the weather be like?

According to the Met Office temperatures will reach highs of 16C and lows of 10C.

Forecasters predict it will be 14C at 7pm when Elton John is expected to come on stage with less than a 5% chance of rain at 7pm when the concert will get underway.

--

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054