Everton fans were given their first look at the club’s new stadium last night as 10,000 supporters attended an Under-18s friendly match against Wigan Athletic.
Wigan defeated Everton 2-1 to record the first victory at the new stadium, with the visitors’ Harrison Rimmer scoring the first goal at the 52,888-seat venue on Bramley Moore Dock.
Cole Simms scored a second for Wigan before Everton’s 16-year-old substitute Ray Robert pulled one back with two minutes remaining.
Everton fans were sat in the South Stand for the match, which was the first of three test events at the stadium ahead of its full opening next season. A second test event involving the club’s Under-21s will take place in late March or early April, when the capacity will be increased to 25,000. A third test event will be held later in the season.
The restricted capacities for the events are a requirement of the testing process that will allow Everton to obtain the necessary licence and safety certificates to operate the stadium at full capacity.
Tickets for last night’s match were available through a ballot for season ticket holders and Goodison Park hospitality members, as well as supporters who have committed to a 2025-26 premium bars, restaurants and experiences membership; and Everton shareholders.
Everton’s Under-18s head coach Keith Southern said: “[The stadium’s] incredible, it’s iconic. The geography of it on the waterfront, but even looking beyond that, when you come inside, it’s got a real feel about it.
“I think the worry for some fans possibly might have been when you move away from Goodison, are you going to lose the atmosphere, the tightness from the stands to the pitch? But whoever’s designed it’s done a fantastic job because the stands are on top of you. When this is full next season, it’s going to be a hell of a place to play, and those players are going to be extremely fortunate to represent this football club in the Premier League here.”
For the second test event, all stands will be open, with a restricted number of seats available in each.
Everton formally took control of its new home prior to Christmas. The handover came three and a half years after the commencement of the project back in August 2021.
Everton is now overseeing the six-month fit-out phase for the stadium, which will be a host venue during UEFA Euro 2028. The fit-out phase will cover interior design specialists, tradesmen and women and audio-visual engineers completing the stadium’s bars, restaurants and experiences, and retail spaces.
The handover ceremony took place just a day after Everton confirmed that The Friedkin Group had completed its takeover of the club. TFG has financially supported the stadium development and the club through an initial loan investment in the summer and with funding during the change of control process.
