Everton successfully completes first test event at new waterfront stadium
Everton FC has successfully completed the first of three test events at its new 52,888-seater stadium.
The club welcomed 10,000 spectators to the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium last night with the aim of gaining a safety certificate from Liverpool City Council for the new ground at full capacity.
Last night’s friendly between Everton U18s and Wigan Athletic U18s saw fans fill the South Stand of the ground.
A further 25,000-capacity test event is scheduled for next month, followed by a full-capacity event at a later date before the stadium opens officially for the 2025-26 football season when Everton will relocate from its Goodison Park home.
The event saw the introduction of new parking restrictions around the ground, which has led to more than 7,000 residents and businesses signing a petition calling on the council to re-examine the scheme.
It restricts parking as far south to the city centre and north to Bootle, not just on match days but throughout the week, as well.
Limited services were open last night, including food and drink vendors, although the ground has no licence to serve alcohol, as yet.
The test event passed off successfully with fans able to access the riverside ground, using new e-ticket technology, and navigate around the South Stand complex.
Egress was also relatively easy, through several new exits incorporated into the historic dock wall.
