Everton have announced that they will vacate Goodison Park at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The English club have confirmed that the first team’s move to the new stadium will take place at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, assuring the 2024/2025 season will be their last at Goodison Park.
This will allow the club to carry out numerous test events beforehand at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The Merseyside outfit are preparing to move into a brand new 53,000-capacity stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the Mersey. Initially, there were plans for the stadium to be opened mid-way through next season.
However, the club have now moved the date back after considering several commercial, logistical, sporting, and fan-related factors.
In a statement released on Everton's website, interim CEO and chief stadium development officer Colin Chong said; "Firstly, and to be absolutely clear, our decision to not move in mid-season is not because of a construction deal".
He added; "It is a club decision driven by a combination of commercial insight, a comprehensive review of the logistics required, an analysis of the potential impact upon our football operations, and, importantly, fan feedback sourced as part of our recent stadium migration survey".
The current mood among club chiefs has been to complete next season at Goodison Park and begin the 2025/2026 season in their new 52,888-capacity home by the Mersey waterfront rather than switch during the 2024/2025 season.
Speaking on the club's board meeting, Colin Chong further said; "I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting with our Fan Advisory Board".
"The meetings are always honest, providing both the fans and the club an opportunity to discuss key matters impacting supporters".
"While the committee summary of that meeting is available for supporters to read online, I wanted to give all Evertonians an explanation and some background on one of the key club decisions we confirmed directly with the FAB".
He added; "This was the confirmation that the first competitive football fixtures for our senior men’s side will take place at our new stadium at the start of the 2025/26 season".
Everton have played at Goodison Park, (the first purpose-built football ground in England) since they left Anfield in 1892. The Toffees are the only current top-flight club to be building a new stadium at the time of writing.
The project cost has reportedly increased from £500 million to 760 million pounds.
The club noted work on the new stadium is set to be completed in the final weeks of 2024, and Everton supporters will be allowed to sample the new facilities before the ground officially opens ahead of the following season.
However, the Merseyside club will hope to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal, West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur all of whom drew the curtain down on their old, historic stadiums with feel-good triumphs.
Arsenal waved goodbye to Highbury in 2006 with a victory over Wigan, which saw them leapfrog rivals Tottenham and claim the final Champions League spot.
West Ham defeated Manchester United in the last match at Upton Park in 2016, and Tottenham did the same a year later ahead of their White Hart Lane departure.
What's next for Everton?
The Merseyside club were recently given a 10-point deduction and have currently moved out of their relegation zone following back-to-back victories over Newcastle United and Chelsea respectively.
Therefore, it remains to be seen if the Toffees will sign out of Goodison Park on a high note like the aforementioned English top-flight teams.
The English club have confirmed that the first team’s move to the new stadium will take place at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, assuring the 2024/2025 season will be their last at Goodison Park.
This will allow the club to carry out numerous test events beforehand at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The Merseyside outfit are preparing to move into a brand new 53,000-capacity stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock on the banks of the Mersey. Initially, there were plans for the stadium to be opened mid-way through next season.
However, the club have now moved the date back after considering several commercial, logistical, sporting, and fan-related factors.
In a statement released on Everton's website, interim CEO and chief stadium development officer Colin Chong said; "Firstly, and to be absolutely clear, our decision to not move in mid-season is not because of a construction deal".
He added; "It is a club decision driven by a combination of commercial insight, a comprehensive review of the logistics required, an analysis of the potential impact upon our football operations, and, importantly, fan feedback sourced as part of our recent stadium migration survey".
The current mood among club chiefs has been to complete next season at Goodison Park and begin the 2025/2026 season in their new 52,888-capacity home by the Mersey waterfront rather than switch during the 2024/2025 season.
Speaking on the club's board meeting, Colin Chong further said; "I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting with our Fan Advisory Board".
"The meetings are always honest, providing both the fans and the club an opportunity to discuss key matters impacting supporters".
"While the committee summary of that meeting is available for supporters to read online, I wanted to give all Evertonians an explanation and some background on one of the key club decisions we confirmed directly with the FAB".
He added; "This was the confirmation that the first competitive football fixtures for our senior men’s side will take place at our new stadium at the start of the 2025/26 season".
Everton have played at Goodison Park, (the first purpose-built football ground in England) since they left Anfield in 1892. The Toffees are the only current top-flight club to be building a new stadium at the time of writing.
The project cost has reportedly increased from £500 million to 760 million pounds.
The club noted work on the new stadium is set to be completed in the final weeks of 2024, and Everton supporters will be allowed to sample the new facilities before the ground officially opens ahead of the following season.
However, the Merseyside club will hope to follow in the footsteps of Arsenal, West Ham, and Tottenham Hotspur all of whom drew the curtain down on their old, historic stadiums with feel-good triumphs.
Arsenal waved goodbye to Highbury in 2006 with a victory over Wigan, which saw them leapfrog rivals Tottenham and claim the final Champions League spot.
West Ham defeated Manchester United in the last match at Upton Park in 2016, and Tottenham did the same a year later ahead of their White Hart Lane departure.
What's next for Everton?
The Merseyside club were recently given a 10-point deduction and have currently moved out of their relegation zone following back-to-back victories over Newcastle United and Chelsea respectively.
Therefore, it remains to be seen if the Toffees will sign out of Goodison Park on a high note like the aforementioned English top-flight teams.