New Everton stadium to have decreased crowd size for Premier League games
Everton have confirmed the official capacity of their new Hill Dickinson Stadium and why the official capacity has been changed
Everton have officially announced that the capacity of Hill Dickinson Stadium for Premier League matches and other sporting events. The figure is slightly down on the original designated capacity, proposed as part of the final design created five years ago.
It has been reduced slightly following a thorough post-construction audit and review of the seating configuration across the stadium. The Toffees are moving into their new home this summer, having departed long-time home Goodison Park.
That initial proposed capacity of 52,888, has thus become be 52,769. Everton have clarified that factors such as segregation lines between home and away sections, as well as compliance and provision for media facilities and camera positions, have contributed to the original maximum capacity being reduced by 0.2 percent (119 seats).
The club reassured fans that no season ticket seats have been affected by this minor reduction in capacity.
Everton will officially open the stadium later this summer. Brighton and Hove Albion will be the first Premier League visitors in the 2025-26 season, on Saturday August 23. Two weeks before they face Italian side Roma - also owned by the Friedkin Group - in a pre-season friendly, taking place on August 9 in a 3pm kick-off.
READ MORE: 'I couldn't say no to Frank Lampard – he was calling two or three times a day to sign me'
That fixture will serve as the club's third and final test event, with a full house expected
Despite the revised capacity, Everton will still be able to play in front of the largest regular crowds in the club's history.
The Blues have only ever seen an average gate of over 50,000 once (51,603 for the 1962/63 title-winning season), although their record attendance at Goodison Park, England's first purpose-built football ground and venue for the most top flights matches where they played for 133 years from 1892-2025 was 78,299 for a Merseyside Derby against Liverpool on 18 September 1948.
That was one of 16 occasions that the venue attracted crowds of over 70,000 for Everton games.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd paid price of ignoring Scholes' transfer plea as £68m deal to be snubbed
Manchester United proved Paul Scholes right after the club legend told them five years ago they needed to sign a world-class centre-back and striker to return to title contention Paul Scholes once pleaded with Manchester United to sign a towering centre-half to partner Harry Maguire in order for them to return to the top of the pile in the Premier League. However, these demands fell on deaf ears at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils could be heading towards making the same mistake again this summer. In 2020, United sat in third place in the Premier League table, 33 points behind arch-rivals and title winners Liverpool, and 15 points adrift of second-placed Manchester City. While they weren't serious contenders for the title in the 2019/20 season, ex-United star Scholes was adamant that the club weren't that far off from returning to the top of the table once again in the future. Speaking to BBC Radio5Live at the time, the former midfielder said: "There is a big gap to close, there's no doubt about that. The points difference is ridiculous and the quality of Man City obviously is there for everyone to see. "I really don't think they are a million miles away. I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it's two or three now. I think you are looking at a centre-forward, a really classy goal scorer and possibly a centre-half to play next to [Harry] Maguire. "Look, I think [Victor] Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times (can get caught). If he's got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam who bullies centre-forwards I think that would be a big help to the team." However, United's transfers during the summer window ahead of the 2020/21 season did not reflect Scholes's request for a defender and a world-class forward. In fact, fast forward five years on and the only star signed during that summer that still remains in contention at the club is Amad Diallo, following loan spells at Scottish club Rangers and newly-arriving Premier League side Sunderland. Ole Gunnar Solskjær instead signed Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek, and Facundo Pellistri to the first team but failed to win any silverware as they were defeated on penalties in the Europa League final that year by Villarreal. The team finished second in the Premier League, 12 points behind champions City. Had club chiefs listened to Scholes and delivered the two signings he demanded, there's no telling if United would've been able to topple their arch-rivals. Despite bringing in more players, including big-name stars like Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo, United went backwards and ended up finishing sixth after Solskjaer had left his position midway through the 2021/22 season. One thing was clear to many when Solskjaer departed; United's squad were nowhere good enough to compete at the summit of the league and needed a serious rebuild. Ralf Rangnick, who replaced Solskjaer on a temporary basis, said as much by insisting they needed years and at least 10 new players to catch up with the likes of Liverpool and City. After Rangnick's brief but disappointing spell in charge, Erik ten Hag was appointed to take over the reins in May 2022. Despite installing a new progressive manager with a track record of winning, the transfer strategy remained a mess. Big money was spent on Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, but these players did not boost United's chances of league glory, and the team ended up finishing third, some 14 points off champions City. Bar an FA Cup trophy, the last two seasons at Old Trafford have been woeful. In 2025, United endured a historically bad Premier League season, recording their worst-ever points tally of 42 from 38 games and their lowest position of 15th. The attacking front mustered just 44 goals throughout the league campaign and failed to get across the line and salvage their season by losing in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. Now, Scholes has insisted United make a move for another talented star to alleviate their scoring woes, telling the hierarchy to "just buy" Eberechi Eze this summer. The Crystal Palace midfielder has been a shining light in the Premier League this season, scoring the winner against City in the FA Cup final and handing the London side their first-ever major trophy. It was during England's 3-1 defeat to Senegal that Scholes made the plea to United, as the 26-year-old seemed to be one of the only positives during the loss earlier in June. During the game, Scholes posted a picture of Eze in an England shirt with the caption, "Just buy him", and it seems that he isn't the only United icon urging the club to make a move for the young attacker. Former United forward Dwight Yorke has also claimed Eze is "perfect" for the club. Yorke told The Metro: "Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace would be perfect for Manchester United. Yeah, he scored at the weekend in the FA Cup final, but it's not just about that. A year ago, maybe more, I said this kid and Michael Olise – who went to Bayern – United should buy them for £100 million. Put £100m down and you will get two fantastic players. "Instead, they listened to the figures in the hierarchy, which is understandable, but it's glaring just how good these two are. Eze has the decision-making, the talent, he's a good athlete, he can create and score. He's at the right age to step up and play on a bigger platform. It's a no-brainer." However, it looks like Scholes' pleas - and not for the first time - are set to fall on deaf ears as Spurs look to be ready to splash £68million and trigger Eze's release clause. The London club, who recently ended United's hopes for European glory with a 1-0 win in the Europa League final, are reportedly keen on landing Eze this summer. The Mirror understands that the young midfielder has been a longtime target for the Lilywhites, and new boss Thomas Frank is keen to strengthen his attacking line-up due to club captain Son Heung-min potentially leaving this summer. United are also planning to land Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo to complement their summer acquisition of Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, potentially putting to bed any plans to make a move for Eze as well. The club have just spent £62.5million on the ex-Wolves star, and also recently made an improved offer of more than £60m for Mbeumo. So, with almost £123m out the door already, an extra £68m on Eze doesn't seem likely. United have already paid the price once for not listening to Scholes' advice, but that doesn't seem to be deterring boss Ruben Amorim, who remains steadfast in his opinion that Mbeumo and a new striker are needed more than Eze. United have already missed out on their top striker target after Liam Delap decided to join Chelsea but remain hopeful of landing of Viktor Gyokeres despite the striker's preference to go to Arsenal.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
'We are a much weaker team without him'
Our Brentford fan writer Ian Westbrook analysed the importance of Christian Norgaard when the captain signed a new deal in has played a vital role in his almost six years at the club, making nearly 200 appearances in all competitions and being named captain in the summer of importance to the side can be shown by the fact that we failed to win any of the four Premier League games he missed last season, and only won two of the seven in which he was absent in the last is the glue that holds the side together in his defensive midfield role, protecting the defence, winning tackles and setting up season, he also become a more regular goalscorer - with the six he scored the best return of his career and a third of his entire total of 18 for the are a much weaker team without Ian's piece in full here
Leader Live
25 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Jacob Fearnley living life on the grass to the fullest
The British No.2 eased comfortably into the second round after a straight sets success over Flavio Cobolli, taking down the fifth seed 6-2 6-2 in the last action of the day. Fearnley's success over the Italian continues a strong run of form for the 24-year-old, who memorably claimed his first-ever ATP tour quarter-final at Queen's last week. The switch from West Kensington to East Sussex has been seamless for Fearnley and he is hungry for more. "It was good fun - thanks to everyone for sticking around because I know it was a long day, he said. "It was a great match, and I was happy I was able to get on centre. "I got a lot of confidence from last week and I'm really enjoying my time here at Eastbourne. It was tricky conditions but I was happy with the way I played, and hopefully I can keep the momentum going for the next match. "I wasn't sure what to expect. It was a long day in windy conditions. I didn't know if it was going to rain or what court I would be on so there were quite a few variables that could've affected the way I played but I came here with a good energy and I'm definitely happy with my performance. "You can get a bit on edge with the wind affecting your shot so I wanted to commit to every ball and I stumbled a bit but all in all it was pretty clean. "Getting off to a good start is a good thing. My confidence grew as the match went on and he sensed it and it's late at night and he doesn't want to be there too long with the way I was playing." The next name on Fearnley's list is good friend Marcos Giron of the United States and the British No.2 is raring for a chance to test his mettle against the American. Fearnley added: "He is a great player on grass. He hits the ball pretty flat and is a nice guy and I'm looking forward to the match. We've never played before but we'll see what happens." Fearnley was one of several Brits in action on Tuesday, with several of his compatriots putting on a show on the Eastbourne lawns. Former Eastbourne semi-finalist Billy Harris joined Fearnley in the round of 16 after defeating former British No.1 Cameron Norrie. And there was similar success for Jodie Burrage, who advanced into the last 16 of the women's draw alongside Emma Raducanu courtesy of a straight sets victory over Japan's Mokuya Uchijima. But it wasn't to be for British No.3 Sonay Kartal, who lost out to former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 7-6(2). It was a similar story for George Loffhagen and Ilkley Open runner-up Jack Pinnington Jones, who each lost in three sets to Reilly Opelka and Nuno Borges respectively. For the latest action on the British summer grass court season, check out the LTA website
