Goodison Park

Goodison Park is one of English football's most historic and cherished grounds, home to Everton FC from 1892 to 2025 and one of England's earliest purpose-built football stadiums. With a capacity of 39,414 at its closing, this traditional ground represented 133 years of unbroken Everton men's football until the club's move to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in summer 2025. The Gwladys Street End, home to Everton's most passionate supporters, created an atmosphere on European and FA Cup nights that belied the stadium's modest capacity, and remains the spiritual home that Evertonians refer to when they speak of the club. Everton Women continue to play at the ground.

Located in the Walton area of Liverpool, just a mile from Anfield across Stanley Park, Goodison Park sits in the heart of a close-knit residential neighbourhood. The stadium's traditional terraced streets and the surviving Archibald Leitch architecture represent authentic English football heritage. Whether visiting on a stadium tour, paying respects to the club's rich history at the Dixie Dean statue, or watching an Everton Women's fixture in the surviving structure, Goodison Park offers a moving football pilgrimage, and pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Anfield. Sitting alongside other grounds in our Premier League guide such as Anfield and Villa Park.

Goodison Park's history is inseparable from English football itself. Everton moved to the ground in 1892 after a dispute with its landlord at Anfield, where a new club, Liverpool FC, was then formed to play. The new stadium was pioneering — one of England's earliest purpose-built football grounds, designed specifically for the sport rather than adapted from a cricket ground or athletics track, and opened with a capacity of 12,000 and four covered stands.

The Archibald Leitch Era and the Edwardian Modernisation

The Glasgow engineer Archibald Leitch — the renowned stadium architect behind many of Britain's great grounds — redesigned much of Goodison in the early 20th century, creating the distinctive double-decker stands that became his trademark and that survived in modified form until the very end. The ground hosted the 1894 FA Cup Final, becoming the first ground outside London to do so, and then the FA Cup Finals of 1910 and 1933 (replays in both cases). Goodison went on to host 1966 World Cup matches all the way to a semi-final — including the famous 3-1 Hungary vs Brazil and the memorable Portugal 5-3 North Korea quarter-final.

Dixie Dean and the Pre-War Title

William Ralph "Dixie" Dean scored 60 league goals in 1927-28, an English top-flight record that still stands. Dean's statue outside the ground has become a favourite meeting point for visiting supporters.

The Glory Years

Goodison witnessed Everton's greatest triumphs, including league titles in 1963 and 1970. The mid-1980s brought another peak under Howard Kendall, after whom the Gwladys Street End is now named: league titles in 1985 and 1987, the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup (defeating Rapid Vienna 3-1 in Rotterdam), and the 1984 FA Cup.

The Gwladys Street and Z-Cars

The Gwladys Street End, the home of Everton's most vocal supporters, became one of football's best-known home ends, with the Z-Cars television theme — adopted in 1962 as the team's pre-match entrance tune — providing the soundtrack to generations of unforgettable midweek European and FA Cup nights. The "Grand Old Team" terrace anthem and the all-blue Goodison aesthetic remained essentially unchanged across the decades.

The Premier League Years

Everton played every Premier League season from 1992-93 to 2024-25 at Goodison, lifting the FA Cup in 1995.

The Final Season and the Move to Bramley-Moore Dock

The 2024-25 season was Goodison Park's emotional final chapter. After 133 years, Everton relocated to the stunning new 52,769-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Liverpool's waterfront — the home end is among the largest single-tier stands in English football behind the south goal. The final men's first-team match at Goodison was the 2-0 home win over Southampton on 18 May 2025. An earlier plan, the Goodison Legacy project, had envisaged redeveloping the site, but after a review the club announced in May 2025 that the ground would be kept: from 2025-26 Goodison became the permanent home of Everton Women, as well as hosting selected academy matches and an expanded Everton in the Community campus.

How to Get Tickets at Goodison Park

Goodison Park is now the home of Everton Women, and match tickets are far easier to come by than they were in the ground's men's-football days. There are two main ways to visit: a women's matchday or the stadium tour.

1. Official Club Tickets (Best Value)

Buy directly from evertonfc.com, by phone on the club's Fan Centre line, or in person at the Goodison Park box office. For the first Goodison campaign in 2025-26, adult season tickets cost £100 (about £4 a match) and under-18s £50, with seats in the lower Gwladys Street, the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand and The Enclosure. Individual match tickets are sold for each fixture — check the club site for current prices.

⚠️ Tip: Higher-profile women's fixtures draw bigger crowds, so buy in advance if you're travelling for a specific match rather than relying on turning up.

2. Resale Platforms

Resale is rarely necessary for women's fixtures. If you do use a third-party platform, make sure tickets can be legitimately transferred, and remember that listings for "Everton tickets" usually refer to the men's team at Everton Stadium.

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Goodison Park Stadium Tour

The Goodison Park heritage tour is the best way to experience this historic ground away from a matchday.

What You'll See

• Home and away dressing rooms, where generations of Everton players prepared
• The tunnel, with Z-Cars playing as you walk out
• The touchline, following in the footsteps of Everton greats
• Directors' box with views across this historic ground
• VIP hospitality suites inside the Main Stand

Practical Details

• Schedule: Tours run on selected days, most frequently during the summer and away from matchdays
• Price: Published on the club's tours page
• Languages: Tours in English
• Accessibility: Limited in places due to the stadium's age — contact the club for details

Booking

• Book directly through Everton official site
• GetYourGuide - Alternative booking
• Viator - Experience packages

Pro tip: Pair the heritage tour with the Everton Stadium tour at Bramley-Moore Dock to see both ends of the club's story in one trip.

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Quick Tips

• Easy access: Women's fixtures are far easier to get into than men's matches were
• Gwladys Street: The lower tier is open and still the loudest part of the ground
• Z-Cars: Still plays as the teams walk out
• Heritage: Visit the Dixie Dean statue before kick-off
• Double up: Combine Goodison with Everton Stadium or nearby Anfield

Best Seats at Goodison Park

Since the men's first team moved to Everton Stadium in 2025, Goodison Park has been the permanent home of Everton Women. For most women's fixtures the ground runs at a reduced capacity, with the lower tiers open and much of the upper seating closed unless demand calls for it. The intimacy that made Goodison famous survives: even a modest crowd sits close to the pitch, and the old stands still frame the game the way they did for 133 years of men's football.

Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End

Everton's famous home end, where 'Z-Cars' rings out and the most vocal supporters gather. The lower Gwladys Street is open for Everton Women matches and remains the heart of the singing — the natural choice if you want atmosphere, and the spot where Evertonians of every generation still feel most at home.

Sir Philip Carter Park Stand

The Park End, opposite the Gwladys Street, gives end-on views from the other goal and is one of the areas offered to Everton Women supporters. It is usually quieter than the Gwladys Street, which suits visitors who want a clear view of the whole pitch.

The Enclosure

The third home area for women's fixtures, with side-on views close to the touchline. Half of The Enclosure is set aside as a designated family zone, making it the best pick for visitors with children.

Main Stand and Bullens Road

The two long sides carry Goodison's Leitch-era character. Their upper tiers are often closed for women's fixtures, but the stadium tour takes you inside the Main Stand, including the directors' box. Some older sections have restricted views because of roof pillars — worth checking if you are offered a seat there for a bigger match.

Tier Structure

Most of Goodison's stands have a Lower Tier close to the pitch with an Upper Tier or more above it; the Park End is a single tier. For women's fixtures the lower tiers carry almost the whole crowd; the upper tiers open only when demand calls for it.

Hospitality

Goodison's hospitality suites are part of the stadium tour, but availability on Everton Women matchdays varies by fixture. Check with the club before planning around it.

Tickets and Prices

Everton Women tickets cost a fraction of men's-match prices. For the first Goodison campaign in 2025-26, adult season tickets were £100 (around £4 a match) and under-18s £50. Check evertonfc.com for current match-ticket prices.

Accessibility

Accessible facilities are available throughout the ground, though the stadium's age means some limitations. Wheelchair platforms in various stands, accessible toilets, and dedicated entrances. Companion seats available. Contact Everton's accessibility team for specific requirements.

Pro Tips

• Best atmosphere: Lower Gwladys Street — Z-Cars and the Everton songbook at close quarters
• Families: The family zone in The Enclosure
• Away fans: A designated section is set for each match — check before travelling
• Heritage: Take the stadium tour for the dressing rooms, tunnel and directors' box
• Bigger fixtures: High-profile games draw larger crowds, so buy in advance

Visiting Goodison Park since the men's first team moved to Hill Dickinson Stadium in summer 2025 means a different kind of football pilgrimage — quieter than the closing matchday weekends, but with the architecture, the statues, and the memory of 133 years of football still very much intact. The ground continues to host Everton Women fixtures, and the stadium tour is a particularly poignant experience.

Pre-Match (2-3 hours before)

The terraced streets around Goodison are quieter now without the men's first team, but the traditional pubs remain part of the pilgrimage. The Winslow (Goodison's closest pub, opposite the Main Stand) reopened after the men's move and is now a heritage destination as much as a matchday pub. The Blue House, The Thomas Frost on County Road, and The Spellow continue to serve. The famous Goodison Toffee Shop on County Road is an institution. St Luke the Evangelist Church (known as the "Everton Church") next to the stadium is worth a visit; the Dixie Dean statue outside the Main Stand and the Z-Cars mosaic on the Bullens Road wall are the traditional photo stops.

Inside the Stadium

On Women's matchdays, gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. 'Z-Cars' still plays as teams emerge — Everton's distinctive theme since 1962, preserved for the women's fixtures. The lower Gwladys Street is open and atmospheric, with 'Spirit of the Blues', 'Grand Old Team', and the call-and-response Z-Cars tradition all preserved. The intimacy of the ground creates a remarkable atmosphere even for smaller fixtures.

Food & Drink

Concourse provision has been scaled back since the men's team left, but the matchday pie selection remains. The classic Everton Pie is still a must-try. Prices are modest (£3.50-5 for food, £4-5 for drinks). The Winslow and other surrounding pubs are now the food options of choice for most visiting supporters.

Stadium-Tour-Only Visits

For international visitors arriving outside the Women's fixture calendar, the Goodison Park Stadium Tour is the recommended way to experience the ground. Tours include access to the dressing rooms, the Main Stand interior, the Gwladys Street End, and the Dixie Dean memorabilia — preserved largely as the men's first team left them in May 2025.

After the Match

Local pubs around County Road fill with a mix of older Everton supporters reminiscing and tourists making the pilgrimage. The proximity to Anfield means you can comfortably walk between both historic grounds in 20 minutes. The waterfront and Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock are 25 minutes away by bus.

International Visitor Tips: Goodison Park is accessible by bus from Liverpool city centre (20-25 minutes) or taxi (10-15 minutes, £8-12). The ground remains a recommended visit for any football tourist coming to Liverpool — combine it with the Hill Dickinson Stadium tour at Bramley-Moore, the Anfield tour, and the city's Beatles, maritime and waterfront attractions for a full football-and-culture weekend.

Where to Stay for Goodison Park

Near the Stadium

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The Walton area around Goodison Park is residential with limited accommodation. Most visitors stay in Liverpool city centre or near the waterfront — both are 20-25 minutes by bus or taxi and give access to better restaurants and the wider city.

Liverpool Waterfront and Stanley Dock (Recommended for Football Tourists)

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Titanic Hotel Liverpool (Stanley Dock, 3 km)

Stunning warehouse conversion closer to both Goodison and Anfield than most city-centre hotels — and now also walkable to Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Unique industrial architecture, the Rum Warehouse event space, and a waterfront setting. An excellent base for a Liverpool football pilgrimage that takes in all three grounds.

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The Shankly Hotel (city centre, 4 km)

Themed around Liverpool FC legend Bill Shankly but reasonably central and convenient for both Goodison and Anfield (each 15-20 minutes by taxi). Popular with football fans visiting either Merseyside club.

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Liverpool City Centre

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Liverpool city centre offers excellent hotels, world-famous attractions, and easy transport to Goodison Park.

Hope Street Hotel (city centre)

Boutique hotel in Liverpool's Georgian Quarter between the city's two cathedrals. Excellent The Art School restaurant nearby and a well-regarded independent hotel.

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Malmaison Liverpool (Princes Dock, 3 km)

Stylish chain hotel on the waterfront close to the Three Graces and Cunard buildings. Excellent for combining football with Albert Dock, Beatles Story and Tate Liverpool attractions.

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INNSiDE Liverpool by Meliá (Royal Albert Dock)

Modern design hotel directly on the Albert Dock with views over the river — close to all the waterfront attractions and a reasonable walk to Hill Dickinson Stadium.

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Pullman Liverpool (King's Dock)

Luxury chain hotel between the Albert Dock and the M&S Bank Arena. Strong city-break choice with proximity to the waterfront, restaurants, and football grounds.

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Our Recommendation

Stay on the Liverpool waterfront — the city offers outstanding restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions (Beatles Story, two cathedrals, Albert Dock, Tate Liverpool). The combination of Goodison Park (now a tour-and-pilgrimage destination), Hill Dickinson Stadium (Everton men's new home), and Anfield makes Liverpool an outstanding football city to visit.

The Titanic Hotel at Stanley Dock offers the best overall balance — walkable to Hill Dickinson Stadium, a short ride to Goodison and Anfield, and the most characterful accommodation. Hope Street Hotel is the boutique pick for those prioritising city culture.