Over the past few decades, football has undergone a remarkable transformation. On the pitch, advances in fitness, tactics and technology have reshaped how the beautiful game is played, yet equally significant are the developments off the pitch.
Indeed, clubs have responded to the demands of a growing global audience by building modern stadiums, upgrading facilities and redefining what a matchday experience looks like in the 21st century.
Everton are one of the latest clubs to up sticks from the traditional but outdated Goodison Park – their home for over 130 years, steeped in history – to a much-desired and newly-build Hill Dickinson Stadium situated on Bramley-Moore Dock, a historic waterfront location in Liverpool.
Evertonians have undeniably been chomping at the bit to attend their new home, and I was just as excited for my first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as an accredited journalist. I had the privilege of covering the Toffees’ Premier League clash with Crystal Palace in October – just their fourth-ever top-flight fixture at the new ground.
Over the years, I have been to more than 50 football stadiums of varying shapes and sizes, both as a fan and as a journalist. Goodison Park was one of those, a charmingly quaint stadium inside and out with – from my experience in the crowd – a letterbox-like view of the pitch in the Lower Bullens.
In comparison, the Hill Dickinson Stadium is visually striking, with its sleek, sharp and unashamedly modern design offset by subtle old-school features. The spaceship-like stadium gradually came into view as I made my way down Blackstone Street, which is where I was fortunate to park my car in a media-only zone.
I say fortunate because there is no onsite parking for supporters, who are advised not to drive directly to the ground. As a member of the media, though, I was granted special access to a parking spot less than a five-minute walk from my entrance gate, where I was warmly greeted, went through the usual bag checks and picked up my accreditation pass. No fuss, no queues, swiftly through.
Prior to my visit, Everton kindly sent over an informative Matchday Media Information package providing me with all the relevant details for an attending journalist, though one can still forgive those who are lost or confused as they enter unfamiliar surroundings. Luckily for me, Everton’s hospitality staff seemed well-practised in pointing people in the right direction and clearly know how to make newcomers feel at home.
After receiving my matchday programme at the main entrance, I was shown the spacious Media Centre and accompanying Media Dining Room, which are both top-tier working environments before and after kickoff. Walking through the Media Centre to the Media Dining Room, receiving friendly nods from staff along the way, almost felt like strutting through the home team’s entrance as one of the players!
After taking advantage of the wide array of complimentary food and drinks available in the Media Dining Room – all superbly served and well-presented to catch your eye – I spent some time in the Media Centre, where Wi-Fi information and a media seating plan was clearly displayed on TV screens, before making my way up to the Press Box.
I was once again greeted by a friendly face who was in command of all the lifts up to Level 3, before I walked up to my seat on the back row of the West Stand. There is sufficient space in the Press Box which includes your allocated table and chair, an adjustable TV screen (one between two) to view in-game footage and replays, as well as several charging ports and electrical sockets.
From my position high up, the views of the pitch were nothing short of magnificent, and for the supporters lower down, views were crucially unobstructed for all fans in every seat. This marks a clear upgrade from Goodison Park where several lower-tier seats were restricted by pillars and overhanging upper tiers.
Sitting on the highest row of the third tier was not an issue for me watching the match as a journalist, and I can safely say that having previously watched from afar at the London Stadium, which has received criticism from West Ham fans and visiting media for the significant distance between the stands and the pitch.
One minor issue I encountered at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was the Wi-Fi connection. At half time, Everton’s media Wi-Fi was non-existent, prompting me to temporarily switch to the stadium’s public network, before the media Wi-Fi was restored shortly after the second half started. This was somewhat of a surprise given how Everton now pride themselves for having “one of the most advanced stadiums in the country in terms of connectivity” after installing a DAS (Distributed Antenna System) to cover the stadium site.
One tasty bonus at the interval, though, were the hot/cold drinks and snacks available exclusively to the media in the Media Lobby, located adjacent to the lifts on Level 3 – I could not resist the half-time boost!
After the full-time whistle had blown and I had finished my media duties, I headed back down the Media Centre before stepping into a state-of-the-art Media Theatre, which seats around 80 people and holds post-match press conferences. Every blue seat suitably includes a folding table, while there is ample space for camera crews to set up at the back.
Staff were always on hand to guide me to where I needed to go, with media given up to two hours after the match to complete their work in the Media Centre before making their way out of the stadium.
Aside from a brief Wi-Fi hiccup, my whole experience at Everton’s new stadium was smooth and stress-free, made all the more enjoyable by the warm hospitality of the stadium staff. The media facilities are, as expected for a new stadium, best-in-class, and I would highly recommend a visit for any journalist.