10 of the most eye-catching matchday photographs taken so far at Hill Dickinson Stadium a year on from the first game at the Blues' new home on the Mersey waterfront
Everton fan Anthony Scott, aged eight, arrives for the first ever game on February 17, 2025 between Everton Under-18s and Wigan Athletic Under-18s
Everton fan Anthony Scott, aged eight, arrives for the first ever game on February 17, 2025 between Everton Under-18s and Wigan Athletic Under-18s
It’s a year on from the first matchday at what would become Hill Dickinson Stadium with Everton Under-18s facing their Wigan Athletic counterparts in the first test event at the Blues’ future home on February 17, 2025. Ever since the mid-1990s, Everton have been making serious attempts to find a replacement for Goodison Park, the first purpose-built football ground in England, venue for the most top flight matches and their home since 1892.
That dream became a reality last summer, when following a second test event in March when the Blues’ Under-21s faced Bolton Wanderers B – a fixture that included a planned evacuation in the second half – Everton moved into their stunning new 52,769 capacity base on the Mersey waterfront. David Moyes’ men started with a behind closed doors friendly win over Port Vale before the team headed off to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series but following their return, there was the third test event against Roma – the inaugural first team game in front of supporters – followed by the first competitive match as Brighton & Hove Albion were beaten 2-0 on August 24.
Since then, there has been a first stoppage-time winner, courtesy of Jack Grealish in the 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace, the tallest-ever tifo at a Premier League ground against Arsenal and a first major non-football event as England faced Australia in a rugby league Ashes test. Here’s a look back on 10 eye-catching matchday images from Everton’s first 12 months at the dock...
An aerial view of the first ever game at Bramley-Moore Dock on February 17, 2025 with a friendly match between Everton Under-18s and Wigan Athletic Under-18s marking the first test event for Everton's new stadium
An aerial view of the first ever game at Bramley-Moore Dock on February 17, 2025 with a friendly match between Everton Under-18s and Wigan Athletic Under-18s marking the first test event for Everton's new stadium
2. Charly Alcaraz in action during the Everton v Roma friendly match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 9, 2025
Charly Alcaraz in action during the Everton v Roma friendly match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 9, 2025
3. Phil Jagielka does a cartwheel celebration after scoring during the Everton v Roma Legends Match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 9, 2025
Phil Jagielka does a cartwheel celebration after scoring during the Everton v Roma Legends Match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 9, 2025