Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium will play host to a international rugby union fixture this summer as Fiji take on England in the Nations Championship
Pyrotechnics pitchside before the ABK Beer Ashes Series match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Pyrotechnics pitchside before the ABK Beer Ashes Series match at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: (Peter Byrne/PA Wire))
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Jason Robinson believes England’s players will relish the chance to make history at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer. The Blues' new waterfront home will play host to the Nations Championship clash between Fiji and England on Saturday, July 11.
Since opening in August 2025, Hill Dickinson Stadium has already hosted a Rugby League Ashes test between England and Australia and will play host to Super League’s Magic Weekend a week before Mick Byrne’s Flying Fijians face Steve Borthwick's side.
Everton's home has hosted international football in the shape of Scotland v Ivory Coast back in March and has been confirmed as a host stadium for UEFA EURO 2028 and is currently shortlisted as part of the UK bid process for the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup – underlining its status as a global sporting destination.
But the fixture, which forms part of Fiji’s inaugural Nations Championship campaign, with the Pacific nation choosing to stage its designated home fixtures in the Northern Hemisphere, will be the first rugby union match to ever be played at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
And 2003 World Cup winner Robinson believes: “It is going to be amazing and the stadium alone is newly built, the facilities are great and the atmosphere is going to be amazing.
“To have Fiji take on England here in the North, this is a city where everybody loves their sport and we are going to be bringing international rugby union here.
“Fiji love to play. I hope the weather is going to be great and the guys themselves are going to love this opportunity to play against England here as the home team.
“As a player you want to play against the best teams, but you also want to play at the best stadiums and the paint is only just dry on it.”
Dominic Young is fouled by Reece Walsh during the England vs Australia Test match at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Dominic Young is fouled by Reece Walsh during the England vs Australia Ashes Test match at Hill Dickinson Stadium (Image: (Michael Steele/Getty Images))
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Robinson, who started in rugby league, with Wigan, before switching codes, continued: “It is going to be really tough (for England). I have played against Fiji myself, and they are big boys; they love to play, and they love to throw the ball around.
“They always test you a lot more than other teams and it is going to be a tough, tough game for England, but a great one for people to come down and the game is all entertainment.
“I want to see tries and I want to see people taking people on and sidestepping. That is what I want to see and I want to be excited.”
The event will transform Hill Dickinson Stadium into a celebration of Fijian culture and heritage. As a designated home fixture for Fiji, supporters can expect vibrant fan zones featuring traditional music, food, dance and cultural performances, creating an authentic atmosphere and a unique matchday experience for fans in Liverpool and beyond.
And Robinson believes the fact that so many who are going to be in attendance at the game are going to be watching England for the first time will only add to the atmosphere.
He said: “I know that anyone who comes down in July will see two sides go head-to-head, and it is going to be an exciting game to watch.
England's players line-up before the Six Nations match against Wales at Allianz Stadium in February
England's players line-up before the Six Nations match against Wales at Allianz Stadium in February(Image: (Adrian Dennis / AFP via Getty Images))
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“I think the atmosphere is going to be even better because we are going to see a lot of people coming to watch England for the first time.
“They want to have to travel as far, because going down to Twickenham is not always easy to get to and get tickets for.
“It is the northern hemisphere vs the southern hemisphere, and it gives every team an opportunity to play against each other to test themselves.
“As a player you want to test yourself against the best in the world and I know a lot of Fiji players and I know they are a proud nation.
“If they can come and beat England in the North West, that would be a massive coup for them. They will be coming full of excitement.
“They will want to enjoy the stadium and the atmosphere and test themselves against one of the world’s best.
“There are a lot of teams and there are going to be lots of results that probably don’t go the way we think, but it is going to be a great, great tournament.”
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