One of the oldest football stadiums in the UK, Goodison Park, will not be demolished. Instead, starting next season, it will become the first major stadium in the country dedicated solely to a women’s football team.

Long-planned redevelopment scrapped

Goodison Park will become the new home of Everton Women, who will kick off their season there in September — exactly 133 years after Everton’s men’s team first played at the stadium in the Walton area of Liverpool. Originally, the historic venue — which has hosted more top-flight matches than any other stadium in England — was scheduled for demolition following the men’s team's move to the new Everton Stadium.

The 2020 redevelopment plan, which included housing, shops, and community care services, has now been set aside. The charitable arm, Everton in the Community, will remain based at Goodison and plans to increase its support for the growth of women’s and girls’ football.

How will Goodison Park change?

To the surprise of many, the club’s new American owners have announced that Goodison will become the long-term stadium for the women’s team. Their ambition is to turn it into one of Europe’s most iconic women’s football venues. “This could be a model for how other clubs grow the women’s game,” said Nikki Doucet, CEO of the Women’s Super League. “Creating a stadium dedicated to a women’s team sends a strong message — not just of ambition, but of belief. Belief in the players, the fans, and the potential of the women’s game, if given the right platform.”

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A feasibility study commissioned by the Friedkin Group confirmed that Goodison meets WSL standards, although the stadium, designed by Archibald Leitch, is likely to undergo changes once the new team moves in. Capacity will be significantly reduced — upper tiers will be closed, and season ticket seats will be sold accordingly. However, the club has ruled out any major structural overhauls for now, promising only targeted upgrades tailored to the women’s game.

A chance to grow the women’s game

Everton Women currently sit eighth in the WSL table, but according to sources close to the club, the decision marks a clear statement of intent from the new owners. The Friedkin Group, owned by Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin, took over Everton in December, ending the turbulent tenure of Farhad Moshiri.

The move to Goodison also carries historical significance — it comes exactly 105 years after a landmark women’s match between Dick, Kerr Ladies and St Helens Ladies took place at the stadium, holding the attendance record for a women’s match for 103 years. Relocating from the 2,220-capacity Walton Hall Park presents a major opportunity to boost attendance. This season, the WSL is expected to surpass one million fans for the first time. Over half of the league’s fanbase is under 40, a demographic the club hopes to engage in building long-term loyalty.

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