Everton's 'brilliant' new stadium praised in key visit

Everton will move into the stadium at the start of next season

The Sports Minister praised Everton's new stadium on a visit to the site. The Toffees will move into their new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock at the start of next season, leaving Goodison Park after 133 years.

Stephanie Peacock MP, the Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth, was part of a delegation that was accompanied by Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside Kim Johnson. The visitors were taken on a tour of the stadium by Everton’s Interim CEO Colin Chong, who spoke about the site as a catalyst for the regeneration of Liverpool's Northern Docks.

The stadium will also be a host venue for EURO 2028, to be hosted by England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Ms Peacock praised the ambition behind the project, acknowledging its potential to drive growth and inspire future generations.

She said: "It was brilliant to visit Everton Stadium, the brand new home of Everton Football Club and one of our fantastic UEFA EURO 2028 host stadia. EURO 2028 presents a unique opportunity to bring people together and create memories that last a lifetime.

"It will deliver benefits both within the local community and across the UK, inspiring a new generation of talent while delivering on this Government's priority to create a happier and healthier nation."

During the three-and-a-half-year build, the club’s new waterfront home was recognised as the largest single-site private sector development in the country, contributing an estimated £1.3bn to the UK economy, creating tens of thousands of jobs and attracting 1.4m visitors to the city of Liverpool, annually.

The delegation also learned about how the Premier League’s newest stadium, which will officially open this summer, will also be used as a venue for concerts and other major sporting events. In 2024 it was announced that Everton Stadium would be a host venue for UEFA Euro 2028 and last month it was confirmed Everton’s new home will host the historic return of the Rugby League Ashes this autumn.

Colin Chong, Everton’s interim CEO said: "We are delighted to welcome Stephanie as the Minister for Sport to our future home. This project not only represents a transformational moment for our football club but also a global example of best-in-class planning, consultation, construction and delivery – something I know that many Evertonians are proud of.

"Having both the Minister and Kim, our constituency MP, in attendance today has allowed them to see first-hand the progress we have made and the immense impact this world-class facility will have on the growth of our Club, our sport and the people in our region.

"We look forward to continuing to work with local and national Government and stakeholders to ensure this stadium delivers lasting benefits for generations to come."

The tour ended at Everton Stadium’s South Stand concourse, which offers views of the centre of the city, the surrounding area and the Liverpool skyline. The delegation finished their visit by discussing how the stadium could lead to the development of the dockland south of the Everton Stadium and how the area could benefit from new commercial opportunities, tourist facilities, creative spaces and homes.

Last month, it was reported that Everton have begun negotiations to buy land that lies next to Bramley-Moore Dock. Mr Chong told delegates at MIPIM property conference in the south of France about the club's journey to deliver the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, which will officially open for matches at the start of next season.

According to a report from Place North West, Mr Chong also spoke about the club's plans for the land next to the new arena at Nelson Dock, an area he said he has always had 'envious eyes' on.

According to Place, negotiations for the club to acquire the land at Nelson Dock from current owner Peel are now underway, with the Blues boss insisting that 'whatever we do, we do it properly.'

He is reported to have told the event: "There was always an idea that we might be able to develop a complementary development to support the stadium’s development."