With work on its £500m new stadium now well advanced Everton FC is asking fans to help it shape the ‘matchday experience’ in the arena. Tony McDonough reports
Everton FC is launching a series of surveys they hope will shape the matchdays experiences of its supporters in its new £500m stadium.
Work on the arena at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters started in summer 2021. Construction is well advanced and the shape of the stadium can now be seen on the skyline on both sides of the River Mersey.
It is hoped the team will leave Goodison Park and kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season at its new home. Now Everton is inviting supporters to take part in a series of surveys that will help shape matchdays and the overall visitor experience at the new arena.
Designed by the club’s data science and Insight team, the research will allow the club to build on the results of previous fan surveys. They aim to provide an understanding of the expectations of supporters in relation to the 52,588-capacity stadium.
Its first survey, Matchday Experience, has been sent directly to supporters today. The survey seeks to gather thoughts from fans in relation to matchday food and drink, pre- and post-match entertainment, travel plans and expectations for their new matchday rituals.
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Emails from the club, with an invitation to take part in the multi-phase study, have been sent out to members of the Fans’ Panel. This includes season ticket and official members as well as shareholders.
Supporters on the season ticket waiting list and match-going Blues will also receive an invitation to complete the first survey.
Evertonians, who don’t believe they are part of the groups listed above, wishing to complete the survey will have the opportunity to do so by entering their supporter number and surname by clicking here.
The survey will be open until 10am on Monday, January 9, 2023, giving fans the chance to share their views and preferences.
Colin Chong, chief stadium development officer at Everton, said: “The voice of supporters has been a vital part of this project, shaping our initial 11 key principles. They have helped set new engagement records during the two-stage public consultation process that led to unanimous planning approval.
“Now, as we complete our first full year of building above ground at the site of our new home, we want to hear from fans to help inform a number of our strategic workstreams. The first in our series of surveys will cover the key areas of a matchday experience and the feedback we receive will be invaluable.
“It is important we understand what supporters want and expect. Even in the short time this project has been live we have seen that people’s trends, habits and desires change as they learn more about Everton Stadium or as their life circumstances change or tastes evolve.
“The outcomes generated from this survey will continue to guide our decision-making on key matters relating to every facet of what matchdays will look and feel like when we move to our new home.”