Goals either side of half-time from Nathan Broadhead, a former Sunderland loanee, and George Hirst, saw the Tractor Boys continue the momentum which saw them finish last season's League One campaign unbeaten in 19 matches.
Sunderland's youthful side looked good in the first half and, despite having Trai Hume sent-off 18 minutes from time, they ensured a rousing finale as Dan Neil clipped in a volley on 86 minutes and then hit the post 14 minutes into added time.
Ipswich held on and are now unbeaten in their opening league fixture over the past 10 seasons.
The Mackems will now look to rise again after a disappointing end to a season in which they largely defied the odds to lead a promotion charge in their first season back in the Championship since the 2017-18 campaign.
They come into this game off the back of a shock 5-2 loss to Hartlepool United, after earlier drawing with La Liga side Mallorca.
As for the visitors, Ipswich will head into proceedings raring to kick-off their Championship campaign. The Blues got promoted from League One earlier this summer, after finishing as runners-up in England’s third tier with a tally of 98 points.
Dennis Cirkin and Clarke saw low drives deflected wide as the hosts sought to mount a late comeback and four minutes from time they were back in the game when Cirkin drove to the byline before crossing for Neil to clip a superb near-post volley past Hladky.
Patrick Roberts' stooping volley was deflected wide by Ipswich sub Freddie Ladapo as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, while Neil saw a far-post shot deflected onto the post by Hladky in the 14th minute of added time.
It was a first defeat against Ipswich in six matches as a manager for Tony Mowbray, whose last game as a player was for the Tractor Boys in the 2000 play-off final when they were promoted to the Premier League - the last time the club had been promoted until this year.
At the other end, Sunderland debutant Jobe Bellingham missed with the goal at his mercy, sending a first time shot over the bar after Pierre Ekwah's low strike was only parried by Vaclav Hladky, who was making his first start since December 2021 in place of the injured Christian Walton.
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