For generations, Goodison Park has been the beloved spiritual home of Everton Football Club, a stadium rich in history and cherished memories. However, the club's ambition to compete at the highest level, both on and off the pitch, necessitated a move to a modern, purpose-built arena. This dream is now a reality with the impending opening of their new ground.
The new stadium, known during its construction as "Everton Stadium," has officially been named Hill Dickinson Stadium following a significant long-term naming rights agreement. This partnership brings together two prominent Liverpool institutions, reflecting a shared commitment to the city's growth and a history that dates back to Everton's founding in 1878.
Location, Location, Location: Bramley-Moore Dock
One of the most striking aspects of the new stadium is its breathtaking location: Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, Liverpool. Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, this site is part of Liverpool's world-famous waterfront. The decision to build here was not just about finding space; it was a strategic move to be a catalyst for the wider regeneration of North Liverpool, transforming a historically industrial area into a vibrant destination.
The stadium's integration into the docklands is a testament to careful planning, with many historic features of the Grade II listed dock being preserved and incorporated into the design, blending the old with the new.
Scale and Design: A Modern Marvel with a Nod to Heritage
Hill Dickinson Stadium is set to be one of the largest and most impressive football venues in England.
Capacity
The official capacity for Premier League fixtures and sporting events has been confirmed at 52,769. While initially projected slightly higher, a post-construction audit refined the seating configuration to ensure optimal fan experience, segregation, and compliance with media facilities. This capacity makes it the eighth largest football stadium in England.
Architectural Vision and Features
The design of Hill Dickinson Stadium brilliantly blends modern architecture with traditional elements, paying homage to Everton's rich history and Goodison Park's unique characteristics:
Eye-Catching Design: The stadium's aesthetic combines steel, glass, and brickwork, complementing the surrounding maritime architecture while setting a new benchmark for stadium design.
Homage to Goodison: The brickwork subtly pays tribute to the iconic Archibald Leitch latticework of Goodison Park, ensuring a visual link to the club's past.
"Blue Wall" South Stand: Designed for intensity and intimacy, the steeply-raked South Stand will house 13,000 passionate Evertonians, creating a formidable "blue wall" of noise and visual impact to support the team. This stand is also designed to allow for future safe standing, replicating the terracing feel of Goodison's Gwladys Street.
Fan-Centric Experience: The entire project has embraced a "fan-first" approach, with extensive engagement with supporters during the design phase. This includes future-proofed design elements like premium offerings (e.g., Tunnel Club, executive suites) and a wide choice of social spaces, from traditional pubs and bars to high-street style restaurants.
Sustainability: The stadium is designed with sustainability at its core, featuring efficient building systems, rooftop solar panels for renewable energy, LED lighting, and waste recycling points. It even includes battery storage to power the site on non-matchdays and export energy to the grid.
Heritage Integration: A significant investment has been made to preserve and restore heritage assets at Bramley-Moore Dock. Historic features like cobbles, capstans, railway lines, and the Grade II listed hydraulic tower have been catalogued and integrated into the stadium's public realm, ensuring the dock's legacy lives on.
Construction Progress and Timeline
The journey from concept to reality has been a massive undertaking. Ground was broken in August 2021, with the initial phase involving the complex infilling of the dock basin with over 450,000 cubic meters of sand dredged from the Irish Sea. This transformed the maritime site into a stable platform for construction.
The main build phase, led by Laing O'Rourke, has seen rapid progress, utilizing advanced "Design for Manufacture and Assembly" (DfMA) techniques, where large concrete units and external brickwork panels are manufactured offsite for efficiency and reduced waste.
As of August 2025, the stadium is nearing completion and is set to officially open in August 2025, with Everton hosting Brighton and Hove Albion in their opening Premier League home game of the 2025/26 campaign on Saturday, August 23. Test events have already been held to ensure everything is ready for the grand opening.
Impact on Everton FC and Liverpool
The Hill Dickinson Stadium is more than just a football ground; it's a transformational project with far-reaching implications:
For Everton FC: It provides a modern, revenue-generating asset crucial for the club's long-term financial sustainability and competitiveness. The increased capacity and enhanced facilities will boost matchday income and commercial opportunities, allowing the club to grow and compete for honors.
For Liverpool City Region: The stadium is a centerpiece of the wider regeneration of North Liverpool. It's estimated to bring upwards of £1.3 billion into the local economy, attract 1.4 million visitors annually, and create thousands of jobs for local people. It will serve as a catalyst for further development along the waterfront, linking Bramley-Moore Dock back into the city center.
Multi-Purpose Venue: While primarily a football stadium, Hill Dickinson Stadium is designed to be a year-round destination, capable of hosting major sporting events (it's already set as a host venue for UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2025 Rugby League Ashes), concerts, entertainment, business, and cultural events, further boosting the local economy.
Conclusion
The new Hill Dickinson Stadium represents a bold and ambitious step forward for Everton Football Club. It's a blend of cutting-edge design and a deep respect for heritage, promising an unparalleled matchday experience for fans and a significant economic boost for Liverpool. As the doors prepare to open, the excitement is palpable. This isn't just a new stadium; it's a new chapter for Everton, a symbol of their ambition, and a testament to the transformative power of sport in urban regeneration.