Goodison Park will become the permanent home of Everton Women when the men’s first team departs for their new £750m stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, the club reveals. Tony McDonough reports
Goodison Park will continue to host top-flight football next season despite the opening of Everton’s FC’s new £750m stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
While the men’s first team will kick off the 2025/26 Premier League season at the 52,888-capacity arena on Liverpool waterfront, Everton Women will begin their Barclays Women’s Super League campaign at the club’s iconic ground in Walton.
This decision follows an in-depth review of the Goodison Legacy project by The Friedkin Group (TFG) since their takeover of the club in December 2024. Goodison Park has been home to the club since 1892 and currently holds just under 40,000 spectators.
The Goodison Legacy project was launched in 2020 to define the future of Goodison. And TFG have decided that football must be kept at the heart of Everton’s community. It addresses Everton Women’s rapid growth and need for a larger, more suitable venue than Walton Hall Park.
Phase one of the transition includes stadium upgrades to enhance the matchday experience and ensure adequate facilities are in place before the start of the season. The relocation will also generate economic opportunities for local businesses.
Goodison will remain a central part of Liverpool’s sporting and cultural identity. In addition to hosting Everton Women, it will stage selected Academy matches and expand Everton in the Community’s L4 campus.
Walton Hall Park will continue to serve grassroots, community, and development programmes for women’s and girls’ football.
TFG’s commitment to the Women’s team has been evident through recent investments in players and staff. The ambition is to create a team capable of challenging for honours – backed by high-quality facilities and a world-renowned home.
Angus Kinnear, who began his role as Everton chief executive this week, said: “We know how treasured Goodison is, not only to every Evertonian, but to the game itself.
“Being able to keep such an iconic stadium at the heart of the legacy project is something that has been incredibly important to us.
“From next season, we are proud to say our women will have an unrivalled permanent home in the WSL – another statement of intent as we look to build the foundations that will help us challenge for trophies.
“The women’s game has grown significantly in recent years, and we believe that growth will continue and accelerate.
“We’re under no illusions; there are obstacles we need to overcome to make this a success both practically and economically, but we’re confident that we will overcome those challenges.
“The value of investing in the women’s game has been demonstrated by our ownership group at AS Roma, with impressive results on the pitch.”
Megan Finnigan, captain of Everton Women, added: “This move is a testament to where the women’s game is right now and, more importantly, where it is heading.
“Goodison is a magical stadium with a deep heritage and close ties to the local community. Leading the team out for that first home match of next season will be nothing short of a career highlight.”