A decision has yet to be made on whether Liverpool FC can host gigs in July
Dua Lipa performs onstage during her Radical Optimism tour at Anfield on June 25, 2025
Dua Lipa performs onstage during her Radical Optimism tour at Anfield on June 25, 2025(Image: Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)
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Amid Liverpool FC’s controversial bid to permanently close a road bordering its iconic stadium, another huge change to life in L4 could still yet be introduced. From August until June, Walton Breck Road and the surrounding area is a hive of activity as the Reds play out their domestic and European fixtures in search of silverware.
For the past seven years, after the final whistle has blown on each season, the 61,000 seater stadium has then turned into the home of global music megastars. Since June 2019, Anfield has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Elton John and the Rolling Stones to name but a few.
Current rules mean there must be a 31-day window in July when no events – footballing or otherwise – can take place in order to give Anfield’s neighbours some respite from the huge crowds and disruption. A total of 21 gigs have taken place at Anfield in the last seven years, with a maximum of six allowed per year as per the venue’s licence.
This may all be about to change however as an application by the club to change the rules went before city council last week. This is tied to the plans to amend the layout of Anfield Road.
An initial bid was considered by the city's planning committee in June when Mark Worcester, planning agent on behalf of the football club, said feedback had been received from concert promoters that there was “major demand” for venues in July. He said: “A global act was unable to play at Anfield, resulting in lost revenue to the city."
Elton John at Anfield Stadium
Elton John at Anfield Stadium(Image: Ben Gibson/HST Global Limited t/a Rocket Entertainment)
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Mr Worcester added how “Anfield is a popular choice for major global artists, some of whom do not perform at any other venue in the north of the country".
In 2024 LFC wanted to get rid of the rules stopping gigs in July, which proved unpopular in the community around the stadium. Earlier this year the club came back with an amendment which would allow them to host gigs in July as long as at some point over the summer there would be an unbroken 31-day block in which no events took place.
The existing rules mean events can only restart at the stadium as of yesterday (Saturday, August 1). The Reds are due to play their first home match of the new season when they host Monaco in a friendly next Sunday (August 9).
The proposed change would likely impact when home matches would be played at the start of the Premier League season.
Cllr Portia Fahey represents the Everton North ward that borders the stadium. She said it shouldn’t be underestimated how much the residents of Everton and Anfield would be impacted by the shift in stadium usage. Cllr Fahey said: “Concerts often finish after 10pm on weekdays and residents are disturbed by the large crowds, taxi pick-ups and the removal of equipment.
“Their days are also disturbed by road closures and unregulated bus diversions that often leave residents stranded in town or trapped in their homes. Many residents accept, plan ahead and welcome music lovers to their neighbourhood, they do so because they know they won’t be disturbed in July.
Taylor Swift on stage at Anfield Stadium during her Eras Tour, 2024
Taylor Swift on stage at Anfield Stadium during her Eras Tour, 2024(Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
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“To encroach on this respite would be a fundamental mistake and significantly reduce the quality of life for residents of Everton and Anfield. They deserve a peaceful neighbourhood for more than just 31 days a year.
“Everyone knows that they have to plan their movements around events at Anfield stadium, but this sacrifice should not be taken for granted and thrown away, for the sake of corporate profits.”
The proposals to change when the ground is used are currently on unsure footing however. As the request forms part of the application with the road closure amendment, it could yet fall through after city council planning members said they were minded to reject the change.
For the past five years, an area around Anfield Road between Alroy Road and Skerries Road has been closed to allow for the stand on the same side of the stadium. This was completed in 2024 but while access was granted for pedestrians and cyclists, it was not reopened to cars.
View of stadium from Anfield Road
View of stadium from Anfield Road(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
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Given the high level of visitor numbers during the year, Sam Ryan, planning consultant on behalf of the football club, said Anfield was designated as a tier one location with many using the closed section as a “safe pedestrian route". She also cited the heightened terror threat, which was raised to “severe”, and increased use of hostile vehicles.
Phil Smith, Liverpool City Council’s head of building control, told the committee how changes to the set up around the ground could impact the safety certificate issued to LFC for operation of the stadium. He added it was his concern that the reintroduction of a road would “create a hazard that isn’t there at the moment".
Ian Byrne MP, an LFC fan and former councillor who took part in discussions with the club, said it was with a “sense of sadness and betrayal” the matter was before members, adding how the club had “shafted” residents. Members voted to indicate they would be minded to reject the proposals on the grounds of residential amenity, traffic flow and environmental nuisance.
It will go before the committee for a third and final time when the council will be asked to formally indicate if it wishes to reject the proposal. The ECHO understands Liverpool FC is reserving any comment until procedures have been completed.