On a frosty Monday evening on the banks of the Mersey, fans were able to see their new stadium for the first time. After four years of construction, Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium opened its doors to 10,000 happy fans.

Monumental investment and architectural masterpiece

The 52,888-seater Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, most likely the seventh largest in the Premier League next season, has been selected to host matches at Euro 2028. The facility will transform the future of Everton, but also of the whole of Liverpool, contributing to an increase in the local economy of around £1.3 billion and generating thousands of jobs.

This modern construction is impossible to miss when travelling along Liverpool's Dock Road. The gigantic steel mesh combined with the characteristic red brick refers to the history of this place, connecting the past with the future. With the aim of preserving the local heritage, elements of the old infrastructure, such as old railway tracks and a Grade II listed hydraulic tower, have been carefully restored.

The construction process itself was a logistical challenge. It took three months to fill the dock with 480,000 cubic metres of sand from the Irish Sea, which was used as the foundation for the new facility. Twelve unexploded bombs from World War II, which were lying in the depths, had to be removed beforehand.

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"It's out of this world"

The first moments at the stadium are already very impressive. The south stand, which will eventually have a capacity of 14,000, is characterised by its steep incline – the maximum allowed by regulations so that fans can be as close to the pitch as possible. At the top of the stadium, there is a huge glass window offering a spectacular view of Liverpool's skyline.

It's out of this world says Andy, a long-time season ticket holder at Goodison Park. We could not have wished for a better stadium. Everyone is excited, old and young. It will be a wrench to leave Goodison but when you see this, it is going to be the envy of everyone.

Two huge screens have been installed at each end of the pitch and the sound system is so powerful that it can probably be heard across the river. Tradition has also been preserved – the players enter the pitch to the theme tune of Z-Cars, just as they have done at Goodison for over half a century.

The culinary experience is also a far cry from the old stadium. In addition to classic pies, you can find Korean chicken on a stick and salt and pepper chicken. The “The Toffees” doughnut is also a hit - its blue icing decorates the lips of many fans.

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Relocation with room for improvement

For many fans, the move marks the beginning of a new chapter. It is breathtaking. Goodison has been our spiritual home but you cannot fault this. It brings us right up to date with the best. emphasises Dave, another season ticket holder.

Even though the first game ended in a 1:2 defeat for Everton U18, the result was of secondary importance. The most important thing was the opportunity to sit in the new stadium for the first time and feel its atmosphere.

However, not everything is going smoothly. The Liverpool authorities have introduced controversial parking restrictions within a 30-minute walking radius of the stadium, which will be in force throughout the year, sparking protests from local residents and businesses. Over 7,000 people have signed a petition calling for the regulations to be lifted. The new fan zone at the nearby Sandhills station has also not been well received – so far, it is just asphalt and barriers, with no shelter from the elements.

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— Everton Stadium (@EvertonStadium) May 23, 2024