Everton Football Club has launched a campaign to promote the safe return of supporters to Goodison Park.

‘The Game Plan’ aims to make sure fans attending the Club’s fixture with Chelsea this weekend - and all future home games throughout the season - are aware of the public health and safety requirements in the build-up to and on matchdays itself.

Currently, reduced capacity fixtures at Goodison Park are open to only Season Ticket and Lounge Members from the Liverpool City Region through a ballot system. Successful ballot entrants will need to adhere to a range of public health and safety protocols which have been devised to protect everyone attending, working or living near Goodison Park.

Paul McNicholas, Everton's Director of Governance & Technology and the Club's designated COVID Officer, said: “An incredible amount of work has been done by teams across the Club to welcome fans back into a safe and secure environment. ‘The Game Plan’ campaign will give supporters clear guidance on how they should prepare for visiting Goodison Park and what to expect from a health and safety perspective on matchdays.

“Like all good plans, ‘The Game Plan’ will adapt and evolve as the guidance we receive from our local and national public health authorities and the UK Government changes. Therefore, now more than ever, it is important all supporters wishing to enter the ballot and support the Blues at Goodison know about the role they can play in following the measures and guidance designed to keep everyone safe.”

'The Game Plan' campaign uses familiar football terminology to bring to life the key public health guidance that must be followed to ensure matchdays run smoothly and safely.

Videos and visual creative as part of the campaign will be used in and around Goodison Park for Saturday's game - as well as across social media and on the Club's official website.

As part of 'The Game Plan' for Saturday's match, supporters successful in the ballot will be required to accept the Supporter Code of Conduct and also complete a health questionnaire before attending the match at Goodison Park.

The Club continues to be in full support of the Liverpool City Council’s mass testing programme. The initiative is now being rolled out across the Liverpool City Region and supporters attending the game must provide evidence of a negative test no more than 36 hours prior to arriving at Goodison Park. This is currently a mandatory condition of entry into the stadium for anyone over the age of 12 years old. Click here to access the available test sites across the Liverpool City Region. There is no need to book an appointment at any of the sites, providing you are not suffering any symptoms.  

Arrival at the stadium will be staggered with fans allocated arrival times to allow for the relevant checks to take place. Supporters are reminded to ensure they bring with them a valid match ticket, photo ID (required for identification purposes during the admission process), text or email evidence of a negative coronavirus test (applicable to attendees aged 12 and over) and a facemask, which must be worn at all times.  

Tickets cannot be transferred to other Season Ticket Members.

All creative associated with 'The Game Plan' campaign includes the ‘We’re Fan Ready’ mark, a nationally recognised certification to reassure fans, attendees and the local community that everyone is united in the commitment to creating a safe environment for all. The voluntary mark is part of the Sports Technology and Innovation Group’s ‘For the Love of Sport’ campaign and recognises the Club’s use of protocols and guidance put in place by the Sports Ground Safety Authority and UK Government.

For more information on ‘The Game Plan’, including a full list of FAQs related to the return of fans to Goodison, click here.