Sunderland will make the short trip to Gateshead on Saturday for their first pre-season friendly of the summer.
Phil Parkinson's side will ramp up their preparations for the new campaign, which gets under way on September 12, although they are due to host Hull City one week prior to that in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Their first EFL Trophy group stage match is also scheduled to take place in the midweek.
The Gateshead game will kick-off 3pm at The International Stadium at and will be behind-closed-doors, but the club are unable to provide a live stream of the game, with Gateshead instead streaming it at a cost of £5.
The club's announcement read: "In line with the latest advice from the Government and the EFL, spectators will not be able to attend the fixture. Whilst we understand supporters’ desire to support the team, we ask that all fans respect and follow the safety measures put in place and do not travel to the stadium under any circumstances."
Gateshead's live stream of the game will cost £5 and details of how to purchase will be provided in due course.
The Black Cats are now the only League One side yet to play an official friendly, although they have been training hard at the Academy of Light, with a structured pre-season plan put together by Parkinson and his trusted physical performance coach Nick Allamby - one of the highest-rated in his field at this level.
The club are understood to have played some in-house games at the academy, but they will now step-up their preparations for the new season at Gateshead, two weeks before they're due to host Hull in the cup.
New signing Aiden O'Brien is likely to feature in his first game for the club, while fellow summer addition Bailey Wright - who joined permanently this summer after a successful loan spell last term - should also be involved.
Gateshead now ply their trade in the National League North and are managed by former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson.
They had their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening, drawing 1-1 with Carlisle United on home turf.
