Everton FC Unveils New Stadium with Historic Under-18s Match Attended by 10,000 Fans

Read Time:2 Minute, 41 Second

With the latest happening in the Premier League, Everton Football Club proudly inaugurated its state-of-the-art 52,888-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock with a landmark Under-18s friendly match against Wigan Athletic. This momentous event, held on February 17, 2025, marked the first-ever match at the club’s new home, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 10,000 supporters.

The stadium itself, which was built in four years and costs an estimated £750 million, is a reflection of the ambition of Everton to grow and develop. It sits on Liverpool’s famous waterfront and marries up-to-date design with protecting the rich history of the site, with restoration work carried out on original dockland buildings and rail tracks.

The inaugural match saw Wigan Athletic’s Harrison Rimmer etch his name into the history books by scoring the first goal at the new stadium in the 12th minute. Despite a spirited performance, Everton’s Under-18s faced a 2-1 defeat, with substitute Ray Robert converting a penalty in the closing moments to register the home side’s first goal at the venue.

Everton’s Under-18s manager, Keith Southern, was full of praise for the new stadium, saying: “It’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.” He also pointed out the design of the stadium, saying, “Whoever’s designed it has 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.”

The event was the first of three planned test matches intended to secure the necessary safety certifications ahead of the stadium’s full opening for the 2025/26 Premier League season. A subsequent Under-21s match is scheduled for late March or early April, with an increased capacity of 25,000 fans, followed by a first-team fixture at full capacity later in the year.

Supporters present were impressed by the state-of-the-art facilities of the stadium and the stunning views of the Liverpool skyline. One fan said, “It will be a wrench to leave Goodison, but when you see this, it is going to be the envy of everyone.”

The transition to the new stadium signifies a pivotal chapter in Everton’s storied history, as the club prepares to bid farewell to Goodison Park, its home since 1892. The final competitive match at Goodison is slated for May 18, 2025, against Southampton. Post-departure, the historic ground will be redeveloped into a mixed-use scheme featuring housing and offices.

In addition to being Everton’s home stadium, the new ground is also scheduled to take centre stage on the world stage having been chosen to host UEFA Euro 2028 matches. The scheme is also estimated to contribute £1.3 billion to the UK economy and create some 15,000 jobs, further highlighting its importance to both the club and the wider community.

As Everton embarks upon this exciting new era, the club extends its heartfelt gratitude to the supporters, partners, and the city of Liverpool for unrelenting support during this transformative journey.