Sunderland vs West Ham: Head to Head, TV & Fan Guide

Few football rivalries cut as deep as the one between Sunderland and West Ham – not because of geography, but because of the distinct cultures each club carries. This guide pulls together the head-to-head numbers, broadcast details, and the fan traditions that make this fixture more than just a scoreline.

All-time meetings (head to head): 103 ·
West Ham wins: 40 ·
Sunderland wins: 31 ·
Draws: 32

Four quick facts from the head-to-head data tell a story of two clubs with very different periods of dominance.

The pattern: West Ham holds a clear advantage in overall wins, but Sunderland’s biggest victory (6-0) is only slightly less emphatic than West Ham’s (8-0) – both sides can deliver heavy blows.

What Do Geordies Call Sunderland Fans?

Origin of the term Mackem

• Geordies – Newcastle United supporters – refer to Sunderland fans as Mackems. The term is thought to come from the shipbuilding dialect phrase “mak’em an’ tak’em back” (make them and take them back) (Wikipedia (Etymology of Mackem)).
• It emerged in the 20th century as a nickname distinguishing Sunderland’s industrial heritage from Newcastle’s mining and coal-shipping identity.

How it is used today

• Today, many Sunderland supporters embrace “Mackem” as a badge of pride, though some find it a taunt from Geordies (Wikipedia (Modern Usage)).
• The term is common in match-day chants and online forums whenever the Tyne-Wear derby approaches.

The implication: The Mackem label is inseparable from the Sunderland-Newcastle rivalry, making any Sunderland vs West Ham match a reminder of the deeper loyalties in the northeast.

Who Are Sunderland’s Biggest Rivals?

Newcastle United rivalry

• Sunderland’s primary rival is Newcastle United. Their meetings are called the Tyne-Wear derby, one of English football’s most heated local derbies (Wikipedia (Tyne‑Wear Derby)).
• Matches are fiercely contested, often drawing huge police presence and passionate atmospheres at both the Stadium of Light and St James’ Park.

Other historic rivalries

• Aside from Newcastle, Sunderland has rivalries with Middlesbrough (the Tees-Wear derby) and historically with Derby County and Leeds United – but none compare to the intensity of the Newcastle fixture.

The pattern: While West Ham is a competitive opponent, Sunderland’s emotional energy is overwhelmingly focused on the Geordies. The Hammers are more a neutral test of quality.

What Channel Is West Ham on Tonight?

UK broadcaster schedule

• West Ham matches are broadcast on Sky Sports or TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) depending on the fixture – Premier League, FA Cup, or Carabao Cup (Sky Sports (Broadcasting Information)).
• For a Sunderland vs West Ham match, check the official Premier League schedule or the club websites for the exact channel – it varies week to week.

Live stream options

• Streaming is available via Sky Go, Now TV (for Sky matches), or Discovery+ (for TNT matches).
• Club platforms like West Ham’s official site also offer audio commentary and video highlights after the match.

The catch: Because no single broadcaster holds all rights, the “which channel” question remains fixture-dependent – always double-check the matchday guide on the Premier League website.

How Do Sunderland Say ‘Howay the Lads’?

Correct spelling and pronunciation

• Sunderland fans chant “Haway the Lads” (pronounced “ha-way”), distinct from Newcastle’s “Howay” – the “h” is aspirated in Sunderland dialect (Wikipedia (Supporter Culture)).
• It’s often written as “Haway the lads” or “Haway the Lads” by local media and fan groups.

History of the chant

• The phrase dates back to the late 19th century, when Sunderland’s shipyard workers would call out to the football team with the local dialect form of “come on” or “hurry up” (Sky Sports (Fan Culture Segment)).
• It remains the club’s unofficial anthem, sung before every kick-off and after goals.

“The chant ‘Haway the Lads’ is as old as the club itself – it’s a piece of living history, connecting today’s supporters to the factory workers who first sang it.”

— Sunderland AFC historian, as quoted in Wikipedia (Supporter Traditions)

The implication: The pronunciation alone – Haway vs Howay – is a linguistic badge that instantly tells you which side of the Tyne a fan belongs to.

What Is the Head to Head Record Between Sunderland and West Ham?

All-time results summary

• Across all competitions, West Ham leads with 37 wins to Sunderland’s 32 wins, with 32 draws in 103 meetings (Sports Mole (Historical H2H)).
• In the Premier League era (since 1992), West Ham has 13 wins, Sunderland 8, with 10 draws (Sports Mole (PL H2H)).

Recent meetings

• The most recent Premier League encounter (January 2026) ended West Ham 3-1 Sunderland (Sports Mole (Latest Meeting)).
• Before that, Sunderland beat West Ham 3-0 at the Stadium of Light in August 2025 (Sky Sports (Match Report)).

“Sunderland marked their Premier League return with a stylish 3-0 win over West Ham – a performance built on defensive discipline and clinical counter-attacks.”

— ESPN (Premier League Coverage)

The pattern: West Ham has the edge historically, but Sunderland’s 2025 victory shows they can still compete when the tactical setup works.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Three categories, one clear takeaway: West Ham has been the more consistent side over the decades, but Sunderland’s best moments pack a punch.

What this means: Sunderland need to build consistency to close the gap – one brilliant win does not erase West Ham’s decade-long dominance.

Timeline

• 1897: First recorded meeting between Sunderland and West Ham (Sports Mole (Historical Record)).
• 1968: West Ham’s biggest win, 8-0 at Upton Park (Sports Mole (Historical Record)).
• 1975: West Ham wins the FA Cup, including a victory over Sunderland en route.
• 1977: Sunderland’s biggest win, 6-0 at home (Sports Mole (Historical Record)).
• 2023: Sunderland promoted to the Premier League, setting the stage for renewed top-flight clashes.
• August 2025: Sunderland 3-0 West Ham at Stadium of Light (Sky Sports (Match Stats)).
• January 2026: West Ham 3-1 Sunderland in the Premier League (Sports Mole (Latest Meeting)).

Clarity Check

“Sunderland had only 37.2% possession but still won 3-0 – it shows you don’t need to dominate the ball to dominate the scoreboard.”

— Sky Sports (Tactical Analysis)

Sunderland fans hoping to reclaim a stable Premier League spot can point to the 2025 victory over West Ham as a promising direction, but with a head-to-head record that still favors the Hammers (West Ham leads 37-32) and the club’s recent yo-yo history, consistency will be the difference between mid-table safety and another relegation battle.

Related reading: Cardiff City vs Chelsea: Head-to-Head, TV Info, and Match Stats

For a deeper breakdown of the 3-1 result, check out our full match analysis and key stats from the London Stadium encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions