Everton’s magnificent new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock opened its doors for the first time to 10,000 lucky Toffees fans successful in a ballot for an under-18s friendly against Wigan.
Four years in the making and at an estimated cost of more than £750m, the club will move in fully over the summer in time for the start of the 2025-26 season.
The 52,888-capacity ground will be the seventh-biggest in the Premier League and has been selected to host matches at Euro 2028. It is hoped the project will contribute an estimated £1.3bn to the local economy.
Just one stand opened for Monday night’s game – the steep-tiered South Stand that will eventually house 14,000 people.
“It’s out of this world,” said Andy, a Goodison season-ticket holder who has signed up for Bramley-Moore next season.
