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Sunderland to play Everton on Bradley Lowery's birthday as fixtures released

That's because Sunderland will travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium to play Everton on May 17 2026, what would have been Bradley Lowery's 15th birthday.

Bradley's mum, Gemma, took to X to say about the match: "Sometimes things just fall into place.

"Two incredible clubs so close to our hearts. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Bradley's birthday."

Everton donated £200,000 towards his treatment, and Bradley even walked out as a mascot at Everton's old ground, Goodison Park.

Sharing a red and blue heart on social media, Everton FC said: "We will welcome Sunderland AFC to Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on what would have been Bradley Lowery's 15th birthday."

Bradley struck up an unlikely friendship with Sunderland forward Jermain Defoe.Sunderland responded to the post by replying with a simple red heart and blue heart emoji.

Bradley, from Blackhall in County Durham, rose to national prominence when he struck up an unlikely friendship with Black Cats striker Jermain Defoe throughout his cancer treatment.

The lifelong Sunderland fan died aged six in 2017 after a battle with neuroblastoma.

A bond between Everton and Sunderland has endured since Bradley's appearance at Goodison, with the Merseyside club hosting charity matches in honour of the County Durham lad. One of which saw Danny Dyer captain the team 'Bradley's Boys'.

Everton hosted a charity match in aid of Bradley's foundation in 2019.The Black Cats' first game back in the top-flight after last season's promotion will see them host the Hammers at the Stadium of Light in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, August 16.

Sunderland's first away game of the new season takes them to Turf Moor to take on Burnley, one of the teams that were promoted alongside them last term.

They then return to the Stadium of Light to complete their August programme with a home game against Brentford.