Important Information For Supporters Attending Sunday’s Test Event

The second Everton Stadium test event – an Under-21s friendly fixture against Bolton Wanderers 'B' – will take place on Sunday 23 March (KO 2pm GMT) in front of a capacity of more than 25,000 supporters. 

Information about Sunday's test event, including what to expect and not to expect, food and beverage options, and how to use digital tickets, can be found below. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Improved public transport infrastructure to and from the stadium. Read more here.
• To enter Everton Stadium using a digital ticket and for queuing lanes to be in use. 
• To be able to walkaround the concourses on your level (from West to South, to East, to North and vice versa)  
• Digital screens at the turnstiles offering guidance on how to enter using your digital ticket. 
• Potential queues – some turnstiles/access points are being used for the first time and stewarding protocols may be being tested. 
• Wayfinding signage and stewards who can help you locate your seats and stadium facilities. 
• Restricted access to some areas at certain times when stewarding protocols may be being tested. 
• Food and drink options on the concourses, including alcohol (please note, draught pumps are not yet operational and a selection of canned alcoholic drinks will be available). 
• Pre-match entertainment in The Plaza, including a stage, big screen, live music and interviews. The show starts at 12.30p. Food and alcohol will be available. A selection of local vendors will be serving pizza, Greek, Indian, and fish & chips.
• Exclusive content on the stadium’s big screens pre-match and at half-time. 
• An evacuation exercise before the full-time whistle – more on this, and the important role of supporters, can be read here. 

WHAT NOT TO EXPECT

• Wi-Fi and enhanced mobile phone network – this infrastructure is not yet operational. 
• Access to Everton Way and the player arrival areas. 
• Fully-operational food and drink kiosks – while catering will be available for the test event, it will be limited and only a sample of the offering fans can expect from 2025/26. 
• A bag drop. Please note, no bags larger than A4 will be permitted inside the stadium for this test event. 
• To bring food and drink on site (except where evidence of medical requirement can be provided). 
• On-site parking at Everton Stadium (except for those who have pre-arranged accessible parking).
• Opportunities to go pitchside or meet/interact with players or officials. 
• Audio description commentary – this infrastructure is still being installed. 

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT

An updated transport plan that will cater for the additional supporters attending the second test event was communicated last week.  
 
To learn more about the increased rail and bus services, taxi and pick-up/drop-off points, parking, and the trial of an additional post-match ferry service, click here. 
 
More detailed information focusing on the available travel options will be published on evertonfc.com in the coming days. 

EVACUATION EXERCISE

An evacuation exercise will be performed at Sunday’s test event. This is an important part of the test event schedule that will enable the Club to obtain a safety licence for the new stadium. 
 
Those attending the fixture will be asked to exit the stadium during the second half, before the full-time whistle. 
 
The process will allow the emergency services and local authorities to monitor a large-scale evacuation from the Bramley-Moore Dock site and supporters attending the event are being asked to play their part in making the exercise a success. 
 
Read more about the evacuation exercise and what you will need to do here. 

DIGITAL TICKETS

Attendees will be emailed their digital tickets on, or after, Tuesday 18 March. 

For a full guide on downloading and using your digital ticket for the second test event, click here.

MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

Food and Beverage

A limited range of food and drink will be available on the stadium’s concourses but will not be reflective of the full offering supporters can expect from 2025/26. The offering will include hot and cold soft drinks and alcohol.  
 
While alcohol will be served, please note that draught pumps at the stadium are not yet operational and alcoholic drinks will be decanted into plastic cups.  
 
Food and drink will also be served on The Plaza outside the stadium as we introduce the first elements of the Fan Zone. Again, this is to cater for the size of the event and will not be reflective of the full pre-match entertainment offering on The Plaza from next season. A selection of great local vendors will be serving pizza, Greek, Indian, and fish & chips.

Entering/Leaving Everton Stadium

Supporters will be able to enter the Everton Stadium footprint via Regent Road from 12pm. Attendees should expect to be searched and for their tickets to be checked at the Regent Road wall. Attendees will not be permitted to bring food or drink into the stadium footprint from this point, except where evidence of medical requirement can be provided. 
 
Queuing lanes will be in operation to control the flow of supporters into the stadium. Ahead of the event, supporters will be emailed information about which turnstiles they should use based on their seat location.   

Supporters located in the North Stand are reminded that they should access the stadium using the designated turnstiles in the north-east and north-west corners of the stadium. Those who are assigned to turnstiles in the north-west will only be able to access these via the Western Terrace as the North Road (behind the North Stand) will be closed to supporters.  

Bag Policy

Please be advised there will be a strict bag policy in operation for this test event. No bags larger than A4 will be permitted inside the stadium and there will be no facility for storing larger baggage.

In-Bowl Entertainment

Everton Stadium’s big screens will deliver information and content from 12.30pm, giving supporters a flavour of what to expect from 2025/26 and beyond.

Wayfinding

Wayfinding signage outside Everton Stadium and on the concourses will help supporters locate their seats and the facilities on offer. Club stewards will also be on hand to point you in the right direction.   

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi and enhanced mobile network infrastructure that will be available when the stadium formally opens later in the year is not currently operational. The install and commissioning of this Wi-Fi and enhanced mobile network infrastructure is ongoing.

Stadium Branding

There will be limited branding and artwork on arrival, in public areas and on concourses. This is intentional to aid recognition of wayfinding signage for first-time visitors. The concourses are part of the ongoing fit-out currently taking place across the stadium. Informed by feedback from supporter surveys and focus groups, the Club is exploring ways to bring colour and storytelling to Everton Stadium and, through that, celebrate who we are and our fans.

Everton Way/Fan Wall

While work has begun to install the 36,000 personalised stones that will make up Everton Way, there will be no access to this area at the second test event.

An actual-size replica of the planned Everton Fan Wall will be in situ outside the south-west corner of the stadium for fans to see. This will be accessible from the South Stand walkway or the Western Terrace.

REPORTING

Help us to keep everyone safe. If you see anything that doesn’t feel right, report it to a steward or the police. In an emergency, call 999.