The construction of the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront realizes Everton FC’s bold ambition: a modern, state-of-the-art stadium deeply rooted in its historic dockland heritage. Central to this vision was enhancing the fan experience through state-of-the-art technology and enhanced hospitality.
To achieve this transformation, the seating experience became essential. This required specialized solutions that moved beyond mere function into an experience design, requiring precision, luxury, and a partner capable of bringing these elements to reality.
**The Collaborative Edge**
Drawing on global expertise from installations like Optus Stadium in Australia and Bank of America Stadium in the United States, Ferco applied a core belief to the Hill Dickinson Stadium project: seating is experience design, not just product delivery.
The project management team collaborated seamlessly with Gardener & Theobald (architects), Liang O’Rourke (main contractor), and Everton’s internal teams throughout the design, delivery and installation process.
**A UK First VIP Loge Boxes**
Ferco installed 144 fully customised Milano Recliners across 36 VIP Loge Boxes throughout the stadium. This marked Europe’s first loge seats; private, cinema-style enclosures featuring reclining seats with personal replay screens. Each Loge Box seats four guests with thoughtfully crafted comfort specifications, redefining the matchday experience for fans.
The Milano Recliners are finished in Sapphire Blue to reflect Everton’s brand identity. They are equipped with dual independent motors, ensuring guests can fully personalize their backrest and footrest positions. The padded headrests are designed for additional support while their removable padding facilitates easy maintenance.
The Milano Recliner’s integrated heating system features multiple adjustable levels for personalized comfort in Liverpool’s variable climate. Additionally, the recliners include built-in charging ports enabling guests stay connected throughout the match, and the cupholders keep refreshments within easy reach.
Crucially, these seats are built for durability in the stadium’s waterfront location. They feature marine-grade construction, double layer anti-rust protection and stainless-steel fixings that guarantee structural integrity and reduce long-term maintenance costs. The seat upholstery is treated with waterproof fabric sealants, to resist moisture damage and ensure longevity. Furthermore, electronic components are housed in IP66-rated enclosures, offering complete protection against dust and liquid spillage. This ensures reliable performance under demanding matchday conditions.
**Professional Press Facilities**
Ferco also delivered 84 FT12 seats equipped with integrated Wrimatic writing tablets in the press auditorium. The A3-sized writing surface provides a robust work platform capable of supporting laptops and documents. The tablet’s inclusive design accommodates both left- and right-handed journalists, ensuring every media professional can work comfortably.
The result is a highly functional and genuinely welcoming press room where media professionals can do their best work while experiencing the respect and attention to detail that defines Hill Dickinson Stadium.
**From Blueprint to Benchmark**
“At Ferco, we believe seating is fundamental to the fan experience,” says Tim Barr, CEO, Ferco Seating. “Working with Everton on Hill Dickinson Stadium was a true collaboration, allowing us to apply our global expertise to the project. Seeing our design and solutions come to life and genuinely enhance the matchday atmosphere demonstrates that commitment in full.”
Hill Dickinson Stadium stands as a powerful testament to the partnership between Everton’s bold ambition and Ferco Seating’s experience-driven expertise. Ferco didn’t just supply seating; they helped realize Everton’s future, creating a new landmark with seats designed to be remembered at its very heart.