English Premier League football club Liverpool has submitted two planning applications to Liverpool City Council to expand the use of Anfield to allow the stadium to host music concerts and other sporting events.
The club said it has plans to make Anfield a “year-round destination” by offering more cultural and sporting events for fans, locals and people visiting the area.
Liverpool said the proposal is in line with the council’s hopes to use music and sport as a means to attract more visitors to the city. A multi-purpose Anfield would also bring economic benefits to the Liverpool region, along with more job opportunities and increased revenue for local businesses, the club said.
Liverpool said that Anfield could host up to 10 concerts or other events every year, the majority of which would be staged outside of the football season. The club cited boxing, American football and Gaelic football as possible sports Anfield could host.
As part of the planning permission, the stadium would also be able to screen a wider range of football matches, including Liverpool away games and international fixtures.
Anfield has experience of hosting non-football events in the past, with the stadium having staged the 2016 Four Nations rugby league final and a Paul McCartney concert in 2008.
Liverpool City Council is expected to consider the planning applications later this summer. If approved, new events could take place from later this year, with concerts to begin from May 2019.
Liverpool’s chief operating officer Andy Hughes said: “The plans we are bringing forward would provide the city’s residents with increased entertainment opportunities for music and sporting events whilst at the same time supporting Liverpool’s vision to attract more visitors to the city.
“Our proposals not only support the city’s ambitions, but showcase Anfield as a destination and will support local businesses and jobs in the area.”
Image: Ruaraidh Gillies
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