Goodison Park makes swift comeback as Everton agreement reached for cup clash

Goodison Park is set to host a competitive men's football match for the first time in more than a year this weekend.

Championship side Preston North End have reached a deal with Everton and the EFL to temporarily use the ground for their Carabao Cup match against Huddersfield Town.

Goodison Park to host Preston game

Goodison Park was the home ground for Everton's men's team between 1892 and 2025, with the club relocating to the state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Since 2025, Goodison Park has hosted Everton's women's team and a competitive men's game has not been played there in 15 months.

However, that will change on Saturday August 8th, with Preston making it their temporary home for a Carabao Cup clash against Huddersfield.

A new £1.5 million hybrid pitch is being installed at Preston's Deepdale ground and it will not be ready for use until their first home Championship match against Wolves on August 22nd.

As a result, Preston asked the EFL for permission to stage the Huddersfield game at an alternative venue and reached an agreement with Everton to use Goodison Park.

“Preston North End have agreed a deal with Everton to host the club's first round Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town,” the club said in a statement confirming the move.

“The Lilywhites applied to the EFL for permission to play at the alternative venue due to the installation of the new hybrid pitch at Deepdale.

“The pitch will be complete in time for the club's first home league game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 22nd August, but to ensure no issues after a significant £1.5m-plus investment, the decision was made to ask permission to play away from PR1 in round one.”

FGG says: A great move

It is great that Everton made Goodison Park the home of their women's team after moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, continuing the legacy of one of the most historic venues in English football.

Fans may have thought the ground had hosted its final competitive men's game, but that is not the case and Preston and Huddersfield supporters now have a rare opportunity to visit Goodison.

Hopefully there will be more occasions like this in the future.