On Saturday, Everton FC played Manchester United for a final time at Goodison Park—the historic Liverpool stadium where the Premier League rivals first squared off in 1892. One of the world’s oldest and most storied football clubs is now preparing to move into its new “jaw-dropping” home on Bramley-Moore Dock.
The move is already underway. On Feb. 17, the first of three test matches took place at the recently completed Everton FC Stadium on the banks of the famed River Mersey. The 10,000 fans who were lucky enough to score a seat for the Everton Under-18 exhibition match raved about the state-of-the art venue, which is part of a holistic masterplan to rejuvenate Liverpool’s waterfront. “It’s out of this world,” one season-ticket holder told the BBC. “We could not have wished for a better stadium. Everyone is excited, old and young.”
The 52,888-seat architectural marvel—a significant step up from Goodison Park’s capacity of 39,414—features four covered seating areas with a structural frame primarily consisting of steel trusses and precast concrete. Nearly a half-million cubic meters of sand were dredged from the Irish Sea for the dock infill, which creates a base for the stadium foundations.
More than 6,000 components, including pre-cast composite red brick façade panels, were designed to remind fans of the historic Archibald Leitch-designed wrought iron trusses at Goodison Park. The football stadium was the country’s biggest when it was built and has hosted more top-flight matches than any other venue.
Laing O’Rourke used Bentley’s SYNCHRO 4D to simulate and visualize construction sequencing for the new Everton Football Club stadium. Courtesy of Laing O’Rourke.Bentley Systems, the global infrastructure engineering software company and a leader in digital twins, played a role in the project. Laing O’Rourke, the lead contractor on the four-year project, used Bentley Systems’ SYNCHRO 4D software to simulate and visualize the phased construction process to minimize safety risks and disturbances to marine life at the heritage waterfront site. The UK-based engineering and construction firm used drone technology to track progress against a 4D model, arming muti-disciplinary stakeholders with real-time data for planning and daily decision-making. By working in a collaborative 4D digital environment, the team was able to complete the project ahead of schedule and within budget. (Read the whole case study!)
All four stands will be open for two additional test matches over the coming months to secure required safety accreditations, with attendance gradually ramping up close to full capacity. Everton FC will start the 2025/26 season in the new stadium, which will also host select women’s matches and serve as a UEFA EURO 2028 host venue.
