Everton Continuing To Enhance Access At Hill Dickinson Stadium

Hill Dickinson Stadium was designed to set a new benchmark for accessibility in English football – and it is already widely regarded as the most accessible club stadium in the country.

With more accessible wheelchair bays than any other Premier League ground, step-free access to all levels, and a range of pitchside and elevated viewing options, the stadium ensures disabled supporters can choose how they experience matchday.

However, facilities extend far beyond the seating provision, with sensory and quiet rooms, an audio descriptive commentary service, low-level counters, step free access to concourses from accessibility platforms and inclusive design embedded throughout the award-winning venue.

But accessibility continues to evolve.

Since the opening of Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton has continued to work closely with Everton Disabled Supporters’ Association (EDSA) to refine operations and respond to supporter feedback, ensuring that accessibility is not only built into the design designed, but delivered consistently on matchdays.

Improving Arrival and Parking

For many disabled supporters, the matchday experience begins well before kick-off. Ensuring safe, efficient and stress-free arrival and departure has therefore been a key focus.

An accessible shuttle service has been introduced for supporters travelling to and from the Hill Dickinson Stadium by train on matchdays. The shuttle operates between nearby Sandhills Station (Sandhills Lane) and Boundary Street, approximately 175 metres from the stadium, and is available via pre-booking.

Ahead of the season, the Club worked with EDSA to more than double the number of Blue Badge parking spaces originally available – increasing from 50 to more than 100 – making it one of the highest allocations for disabled supporters in the Premier League. With demand for Blue Badge and accessible spaces continuing to grow, discussions remain ongoing with supporters to explore further expansion.

Specifically, regarding parking at the neighbouring Nelson Dock, the club has committed to a remapping of the site following the removal of construction equipment & vehicles, to assess whether the number of Blue Badge parking spaces can be increased.

To improve arrival times and reduce congestion, windscreen car park passes were introduced to aid smooth entry into Nelson Dock and speed up the access process. This approach has worked successfully at other venues attended by EDSA members, and the Club was keen to implement the idea early in the season.

Additional stewarding has been deployed on Walter Street, working alongside the traffic management team to assist disabled supporters entering the car park and reduce delays at peak times.

Following feedback that vehicles parked at Nelson Dock were sometimes obstructed by pedestrian traffic, dedicated security access from Nelson Dock to the Budweiser Plaza has been introduced. An Accessibility Steward is now positioned at this point pre-and-post match, where required, to assist disabled supporters on arrival and departure.

Post-match stewarding has also been strengthened to help manage access into Nelson Dock and protect disabled fans returning to their vehicles.

Importantly, supporters with Blue Badges that do not have a designated parking space at the stadium are exempt from parking restrictions and can park for as long as needed in permit parking areas around the stadium with a clearly displayed and valid Blue Badge. This includes parking on yellow lines outside the hard road closure areas, unless there is a loading or unloading restriction, so long as a valid Blue Badge is displayed along with the blue parking clock and the vehicle is not causing an obstruction.

Enhancing Facilities and Matchday Support

Accessibility at and inside the stadium is equally important, and early feedback from EDSA and supporters has shaped further refinements.

In response to requests from disabled fans, accessible toilet provision was added on the Budweiser Plaza to ensure the external fan area is fully inclusive.

Supporters are able to store personal mobility aids during the match at the accessible entrances to the stadium, offering reassurance that they are able to arrive using their own aids.

For those who travel unaided – and with a stadium significantly larger than its predecessor – the Club’s Accessibility team also has wheelchairs available to assist supporters within the stadium footprint, where required.

The stadium itself offers both ground-level pitchside views and elevated viewing areas. Following feedback from the opening fixtures, dedicated lift attendants were introduced to support disabled supporters accessing upper tiers and improve the overall entry experience.

As excitement around the new stadium led to increased footfall around wheelchair platforms for photos and selfies, EDSA worked with the Club to improve communication and introduce enhanced stewarding on platforms to reduce unauthorised access and protect designated spaces.

Inclusive Services Beyond Seating

Accessibility extends beyond physical access and seating locations – it also encompasses the wider matchday experience.
EDSA has held productive meetings with catering partner Aramark, leading to the introduction of hot drinks as part of an 'At Seat' service for disabled supporters.

The new Sensory Room now operates via a booking system, which has been acknowledged by EDSA as the fairest and most effective way to manage demand.

Support and guidance from EDSA has also shaped the implementation of British Sign Language (BSL) provision on matchdays, ensuring interpreters are visible on screen during pre-match and half-time entertainment and interviews.

Listening, Learning and Looking Ahead

Continuous improvement relies on open dialogue and structured feedback with the Club's Engagement team working closely with EDSA and other supporters' groups.

A clear communication pathway is now in place to ensure supporter feedback is formally passed to the Club, acknowledged and where possible actioned. Regular meetings take place between EDSA, the Club and stakeholders including Traffic Management and Aramark to raise specific issues and develop practical solutions.

Looking ahead, Everton and EDSA are collaborating on the introduction of Supporter Accessible Passports, set to launch next season, which will further personalise and streamline the matchday experience for disabled fans.

Hill Dickinson Stadium was built with accessibility at its core. Through ongoing dialogue, operational refinement and a shared commitment to continuous improvement, Everton is ensuring that accessibility remains embedded in how the stadium functions – not just how it was designed.