Everton's plans to host large outdoor events at their new home have hit fresh opposition.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium, opened for use by the Toffees for the 2025-26 football season, has begun its non-footballing offerings and now faces obstacles in its further plans according to Liverpool Echo.
Everton face resistance to outdoor event plans
As reported in Liverpool Echo, Everton are keen to quickly expand its venue's offering, inside and outside of the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
2025 saw the Toffees make an application to Liverpool City Council to host concerts and boxing shows inside their 52,769-capacity home, while further plans were submitted in December, proposing for the city council to provide a premises license for the area around the ground.
Such a license would include the fan plaza area, through which supporters enter the ground from Regent Road, with the space boasting a capacity of 17,000 guests.
As revealed by the city council subsequently, Everton sought a license to provide live events in the plaza up to 11pm, including the sale of alcohol, adding to a similar bid made for inside the stadium bowl previously.
While the club are said to be considering a variety of year-round events for their outdoor spaces, resistance has been met, with Cllr Dave Hanratty, who oversees the Waterfront North ward, demanding plans be put on hold for further scrutiny.
An unnamed local business lodged a formal complaint to the plans, stating: “It is also likely that some form of road closures will be required particularly at the end of each event.”
“I appreciate that heavy vehicle traffic and pedestrians are a recipe for accidents and are a public safety concern which must be addressed, and that some form of management is required, but I must be involved in that process as there are major implications on the operation of my business.”
“On any day there is the possibility of road closures which will necessitate the closure of my business for the duration of the road closures.”
Non-footballing events at the Hill Dickinson Stadium
The Hill Dickinson Stadium hosted its first non-footballing event in November, as England met Australia in a Rugby League Ashes test.
That reportedly played a factor in the Toffees' home being named as the host for the 2026 Super League Magic Weekend – one of the biggest dates in the domestic rugby league calendar, seeing the Hill Dickinson Stadium host a full round of league fixtures over a weekend in July.
FGG says: Hill Dickinson Stadium's impact on neighbours must be assessed
While Everton's move from Goodison Park to the Hill Dickinson Stadium has brought about many positives for the Toffees and their supporters, it has undoubtedly been a major chance for the dockside area.
With surrounding businesses and civilians already facing major disruption on matchdays, including congestion and road closures, further events welcoming thousands of guests, would only amplify and extend these issues further.
It would be wise, therefore, for remedies to current transport concerns, to be addressed before the booking of future gigs or other sporting events in the ground and its fan plaza.