Goodison Park is the new home for Everton Women but they will play Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday
Just why are Everton Women playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend? It’s been a question on the lips of many Blues supporters this week, given that Sunday’s high-noon showdown against Manchester United at the 52,769-capacity venue is coming hot on the heels of the team’s much-heralded permanent move to Goodison Park.
Affectionately known as ‘The Grand Old Lady’, the first purpose-built football ground in England, venue for the most English top-flight matches, two FA Cup finals and five World Cup games, has been given a major facelift by The Friedkin Group to mark the arrival of the women’s team.
The Main Stand on Goodison Road has been transformed with the giant images of legendary Everton centre-forwards Alex Young, Dave Hickson, Bob Latchford, Dixie Dean, Graeme Sharp and Joe Royle now having been taken down, along with the Everton timeline that documented key events in the club’s history from their formation in 1878, to be replaced by a new design which combines the a vivid blending of royal blue with hot pink and the words “Welcome to Goodison Park/The home of Everton Women/A new era.
There is also an albeit much briefer women’s football timeline with the hope that the best days still lie ahead with a bright future to come at this iconic and unique venue that has been given a reprieve from the bulldozers.
Having already triumphed at Anfield this season (for the sixth time in a row) with a 4-1 victory over Liverpool in their opening fixture, Everton now have the chance to pick up three points at Hill Dickinson Stadium before they’ve even won a game at Goodison Park this season, having started at their new home with back-to-back losses.
Indeed, five matches into the campaign, the emphatic result across Stanley Park remains the only success for Brian Sorensen’s side, who, despite having embarked on a significant spending spree this summer thanks to the new owners’ determination to raise the bar for the women’s team, currently sit ninth in the 12-team Women’s Super League table. Like David Moyes’ men, there are nine new signings in the squad, including England international Ruby Mace.
So, with Everton having been inspired by their move to the waterfront, unbeaten there in five matches and having clinched a first-ever stoppage time winner on Sunday as Jack Grealish secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory to ensure Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run was not extended to 20 games, perhaps the women could tap-in to that feelgood factor?
The bottom line is that WSL rules state that at least one match per season must be played at the club’s nominated main stadium, so even though Everton have handed over their previous home for the past 133 years to their women’s team, that means Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The rule is in place to ensure that teams who traditionally play at lower league or non-league grounds get the spectacle of a major stadium at least once a year, although Goodison Park effectively gives Everton Women that opportunity every home match, something that only the Blues and Arsenal, whose women’s team regularly play in front of large crowds at the Emirates Stadium, can boast.
With this being an international weekend for the men’s team, this date was a viewed by club chiefs as being a good one to choose in terms of encouraging a good crowd and spectators’ likely availability.
Given that there are many football fans – both Evertonians and non-Blues alike – who have still not had the chance to attend a live match yet at Hill Dickinson Stadium, it is also seen as a good opportunity for people to come along with their families/different groups of friends.
Everton are working with local grassroots teams and schools to provide access to tickets to younger fans and their families and give them the chance to experience a women’s match and Hill Dickinson Stadium as well as it being an opportunity for the women’s players to experience the venue after Everton’s Under-18s and Under-21s played there in the test events earlier this year.
The Regent Road wall and turnstiles will open at 10am. A gaming van will be on the Plaza near the hydraulic tower for fans to play EA Sports FC26.
There will be face painting, balloon artists, magicians and musical acts on the stadium’s concourse between 10am and kick-off. DJ Ash Wozza will be providing the music in the stadium bowl between 10.45am-11.45am and Barclays will be giving away foam hands to children.
Women’s Season Ticket Members can secure their ticket as part of their Season Ticket package from 10am on Thursday (September 18) and can also purchase up to six additional tickets per member.
Tickets will then be made available on general sale from 2pm on Thursday (September 18) priced at £12 for adults and £6 for under-18s anywhere in the stadium. A special Season Ticket family offer is available for both Goodison Park and Hill Dickinson Stadium Season Ticket Members, with two adults and two under-18s able to attend for £24 – a saving of £12. Non-Season Ticket Members can also access a family price, with two adults and two under-18s for £30, saving £6. For Supporters’ Clubs and larger groups, a reduced rate of £9 per adult applies when purchasing 10 or more adult tickets. Premium Members and supporters interested in bars, restaurants and experiences at Hill Dickinson Stadium are encouraged to register their interest with Beyond, Everton’s tunnel club experience, as well as Trinity Bar and Restaurant part of the offering for this fixture. To register your interest in Bars, Restaurants & Experiences packages, visit www.evertonfc.com/women/hospitality.