Everton FC, Merseyrail and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram all declare Everton Stadium’s second test event a success – but concerns remain about congestion. Tony McDonough reports
Everton FC held the second test event at its £800m stadium on Sunday with the club, Merseyrail and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram all pleased with the outcome.
However, there remains mixed reactions from the 25,000 fans who turned up to watch the Everton U21 team beat Bolton Wanderers B. While people were happy with the stadium experience, travel frustrations remain.
Fan engagement activity was held on the plaza outside the 52,888-capacity stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock. There was live music and food and drink as supporters were able to sample a test menu from Everton’s hospitality partner Aramark.
Colin Chong, Everton’s interim chief executive, said: “This was a hugely important step in our transition to Everton Stadium, and we are delighted with how the stadium and our protocols handled the increase in capacity.
“Following the first test event we received a lot of positive feedback on the matchday experience elements and the food offer, while we also took on board some learnings from an operational perspective.”
Further details on a final test event will be provided in the coming months as the club continues to fine-tune operations ahead of the kick-off of the 2025/26 Premier League season in August.
Outside the ground the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority had overseen an extra effort to make sure fans got to and from the stadium as quickly and safely as possible, with extra Merseyrail trains, buses and a special Mersey Ferry sailing.
Merseyrail put on eight-car trains, as opposed to the normal four-car services. Although very busy, the trains did run smoothly apart from a “minor disruption’ caused by a trespasser on the line at Seaforth.
A number of fans commented on social media about queues getting into the nearby Sandhills station and congestion on the platforms.
There was heavy traffic congestion and those who chose to walk back to the city centre after the match faced delays walking across the historic Bascule bridge, over the Leeds Liverpool Canal, on Regent Road due to weight restrictions.
Merseyrail chief operating officer Stephen Dodd, said: “We are pleased with how well this test event went, with thousands of customers travelling smoothly and safely via Sandhills station – thank you for following travel advice and for your patience.
“The feedback from this and the previous test event are invaluable as we continue to refine our matchday transport plans, ahead of the stadium’s official opening at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.”
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram revealed 12,000 fans travelled to and from the stadium via Merseyrail, more than 2,000 used the shuttle buses and around 500 took the ferry back to Wirral from the Pier Head after the game.
He added: “I want to say a massive thank you to all the fans travelling to and from the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock today. It’s because of your patience and understanding that we’ve been able to get people where they need to be safely and smoothly.
“We’ve worked really closely with Everton, transport operators, the council – and, most importantly, fan groups – on travel planning.
READ MORE: Images reveals £20m plans for Wirral waterfront
READ MORE: City to push on with major Anfield development
“I’d personally like to thank all staff involved for their hard work. Rail and bus services have been stepped up – there’s even been more ferry crossings put on to help take Evertonians from one bank of the royal blue Mersey to the other.
“There were some challenges, particularly around traffic congestion – as well as a trespasser on the Merseyrail network which temporarily disrupted rail services – but the purpose of these test events is to help us see what works, what doesn’t, and what needs improving.
“Over the coming weeks we’ll keep looking at what we can do better, and listening to fan feedback, so that we can build on today’s success and get ready for the first league game of next season in August.”
