New Everton Stadium: A perfect day for „The Toffees”

No doubt, for the 100th issue of Premier League Offside, there could be no other topic than the stadium opening at FC Everton. The new Hill Dickinson Stadium witnessed a memorable first day against Brighton & Hove Albion (2:0). It couldn’t have been scripted any better…

August 24, 2025 – a day no Everton fan will ever forget. 

A new era began for “The Toffees” around noon. For the first time, the 1985 Cup Winners' Cup champion played in its new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Mike Richards, author and Everton fan, shared his impressions of the first day at the new home by the Bramley-Moore Docks in an article for BBC Sport: “This Sunday afternoon, when the Premier League curtain was raised, felt like our reward for years of false promises, false starts, and chaos.”

True. Since March 2017, when the move from the historic Goodison Park to Kirkby was announced, this topic has practically defined the daily life of the “Evertonians”. 

Goodison Park vs. Hill Dickinson Stadium – From Tradition to Modernity

In particular, the new 30,000 square meter Fan Plaza and the nearby Café Riccardo were (still) unfamiliar to many stadium visitors.

Until the farewell to Goodison Park (event-breaks.com reported), fan life took place in the pubs and kiosks of the narrow streets surrounding the world’s oldest football stadium, home of Everton Football Club since 1892. With its own unique charm – and the Gwladys Street stand as the meeting point for the most loyal supporters.

“The Grand Old Lady,” as the revered 1966 World Cup stadium was also called by fans, hosted the first visit of a reigning English king, George V (†1936), to a football match in 1913. 

Liverpool Everton Stadium Distance: From 983 Meters to 2.9 Miles

For 122 years, top-flight football was played at Goodison – and the neighbor was always within sight.

Separated only by Stanley Park, the distance between Everton’s stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield Road was just 983 meters. 

A maximum 18-minute walk – it was known as the shortest away trip in the Premier League… 

Now, more than two miles separate the new Everton stadium at the docks from Goodison Park. 

From Anfield to Hill Dickinson Stadium, it’s 2.9 miles – around 16 minutes by car or taxi. 

Football trip tip: Taxis in Liverpool are affordable, and drivers always have the latest news on both clubs. 

“It’s only five minutes to the city centre,” explained Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to the club’s in-house TV channel during his first stadium tour, “a top location, with views of the docks – it’s very special.”

Mike Richards enjoyed the first march to the stadium on August 24, 2025, for the match against Brighton: “It felt like a huge Evertonian festival – a sea of people in blue celebrating the birth of a new era. You could almost forget a football game was about to take place. There was so much to see and experience. For me, it was almost a surprise when it was time for kick-off. It immediately felt like home. After navigating through the crowd at the turnstiles, that first, fleeting glimpse of the pitch bathed in sunlight was simply breathtaking.”

A blue-and-white fireworks display from the rooftops of the stands opened the 62nd stadium used in Premier League history since 1992.

FC Everton Stadium Opening: Who scored the first goal?

And true to Everton history, the last goalscorer at Goodison Park was also the first at Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

Iliman Ndiaye scored after 23 minutes, assisted by Everton’s new loan signing Jack Grealish, making it 1:0 against “The Seagulls.” 

The French-born striker Ndiaye had closed out Goodison Park on May 18, 2025, with two goals in a 2:0 win over Southampton. The last one to leave closes the book. 

James Garner (52’) made it 2:0, again assisted by Grealish. His presence on Merseyside could really help Everton. “His signing is a signal of where the club wants to go,” Richards believes.

Definitely away from the grey-mouse image – and toward a new shine in their new stadium. 

“I can’t wait for it to start,” Jordan Pickford told Everton fans. He kept his word, saving a penalty from Danny Welbeck in the 77th minute of the Brighton match.

The keeper crowned an unforgettable football day for Everton.

Everton New Stadium Capacity: 13,000 More Seats Than Before

Everton’s new football temple holds 52,808 spectators – around 13,000 more than Goodison Park could accommodate.

The Premier League’s newest stadium was test-run in February 2025 with an U18 match between Everton and Wigan Athletic. 

A great honor for a young player, I imagine.

Everton: New Stadium – But What Did It Cost?

In May 2025, Everton announced the completion of its new stadium, named Hill Dickinson Stadium after an international law firm based in Liverpool.

The stadium project, initially estimated at €586 million, ended up costing €870 million (750 million pounds).

It was definitely worth it. Since August 24, 2025, Liverpool is among the Premier League cities with two football cathedrals. Welcome, Hill Dickinson Stadium! 

Who Are Everton’s Next Home Opponents at the New Stadium?

After the international break, Everton will host Aston Villa on September 13, 2025 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Then comes a Monday Night Game against West Ham United on September 29, 2025, followed by a visit from FA Cup winner Crystal Palace on October 4, 2025.

When Is the First Merseyside Derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium?

Fans still have to wait for the biggest match at the new Everton stadium: On April 18, 2026, “The Reds” will make their first appearance at Everton’s modern home. 

You can read more about the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park here.