bramley-moore dock stadium
(Credit: Imago / @Luke_M20 on X)
Dan Godfrey
Mon 24 March 2025 7:11, UK
Everton held the latest of their required test events at Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium on Sunday, with 25,000 supporters invited.
Following the initial test match between Everton and Wigan Athletic Under-18s on 17 February, which allowed 10,000 fans into the new waterfront arena for the first time, the attendance grew by 250 per cent for the latest trial.
Paul Tait’s Under-21 Toffees faced Bolton Wanderers’ ‘B’ team on Sunday afternoon, as Everton check off the required boxes to allow Bramley-Moore Dock to open for Premier League action come August.
Just four league games now remain at Goodison Park – the next of which coming against a returning Mikel Arteta and Arsenal (5 April) – before the doors are locked for good and the move is made from L4 to L5.
everton bramley-moore dock stadium
Everton fans will enjoy an unrivalled view from next season (Credit: Sky Sports)
Everton ‘must sort’ major issue despite ‘successful’ event
After Everton beat the Bolton side 1-0 at Bramley-Moore in test event two, the Toffees’ official website described the day as a “resounding success” (23 March).
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As he lauded the handling of the event, interim CEO Colin Chong added: “We will continue to engage with local authorities, city stakeholders and fan groups about the long-term travel plan, through the Transport Working Group.”
This statement has become particularly prevalent after footage emerged on X from a supporter, Luke, of thousands of supporters held up waiting to cross the bridge on Dock Road upon exiting the stadium.
DJ, radio host and Evertonian Anton Powers was quick to reinforce the wider fan concern over post-match logistics, urging Liverpool City Mayor Steve Rotheram to take rapid measures to ease the issue.
Powers instructed Rotheram that major traffic issues are already being caused on matchdays, even with under half the capacity crowd in attendance, and parking opportunities are being closed off, which overworks the nearby Sandhills railway station.
He posted: “Test event or not. It’s a joke and unsafe for everyone. [Rotheram], please sort all this.
“Stop the single lane main roads causing massive traffic issues, and open up the roads nearby so people can park. Sandhills cannot cope otherwise, and there will be a disaster on your watch.”
Test event or not. It’s a joke and unsafe for everyone. @MetroMayorSteve pls sort all this. STOP the single lane main roads causing massive traffic issues and open up the roads nearby so people can park. Sandhills CANNOT cope otherwise and there WILL be a disaster on your watch. https://t.co/6iDDAMskcT
— Anton Powers (@AntonPowers) March 23, 2025
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Bramley-Moore Dock has just months to go
A minimum test event requirement for a venue the size of Bramley-Moore Dock is to have three trials in place, of which Everton has now completed two, albeit with teething problems.
The next task is to hold a successful full-capacity event, which would mean more than 52,000 supporters descending on their new home, many for the first-ever time.
While the atmosphere will be eagerly anticipated and the new features buzzed over by executives of the Toffees, wider issues around the stadium site must be addressed.
Everton – test events at Bramley-Moore Dock Attendance Date
Everton U18 v Wigan U18 10,000 17 February 2025
Everton U21 v Bolton ‘B’ 25,000 23 March 2025
Two test events have taken place thus far
Everton fans may appreciate the signal that work will be carried out and measures put in place – that’s why these test events exist.
However, their bemusement on Sunday while attempting to travel home will be nothing compared to the rage if this occurs in the heavy sleet and rain after a last-gasp defeat with over double the number of fans.
Worse still, if it becomes a genuinely unsafe concern. Powers is right to raise the point, and Everton, however much of a “resounding success” they considered Sunday, must, alongside the local authorities, take note.
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