LISTEN: The end of an era for Goodison Park
In this special audio documentary, our regional correspondent Victoria Glover looks back over 133 years of memories from the Grand Old Lady.
Last updated 21st May 2025
The big move for Everton Football Club is very nearly here.
It's a moment for the history books, as the men's game bids farewell to Goodison Park ahead of the relocation to Bramley Moore Dock stadium next season.
On Sunday 18th May 2025, the (nearly) 133 year old ground will play host to the men for one final time, before becoming the permanent home of Everton Women.
*Note: The documentary below was published before Everton announced plans for the ground to become the home of Everton Women.
The fixture against Southampton will be played in front of a sold out crowd of supporters, former players, managers and special guests, before being followed by an hour-long post-match 'End of an Era' celebration on the pitch, including live music and big screen memories from the men's game.
LISTEN: Goodbye Goodison
Now, in our brand new audio documentary, our regional correspondent Victoria Glover takes a look back at the moments that made memories in the men's game at Goodison Park.
*Note: This documentary was published before Everton announced plans for the ground to become the home of Everton Women.
Goodison Park Fact File
- Goodison Park was built in 1892, making Everton the first football club to have an established, purpose built, four sided stadium in England.
- Goodison Park was the first to boast two tiers on each of those sides, and the first to boast a third tier later on.
- Goodison Park was the first stadium to have a church on the premises; St Luke's is on the corner of the EFC ground.
- Goodison Park was the first stadium to have undersoil heating. The system was installed in
- 1958 to prevent the pitch from freezing.
- Goodison Park was the first major football stadium in England to install dugouts.
- Goodison Park played host to five games in 1966 FIFA World Cup, as well as an FA Cup final between Notts County and Bolton Wanderers in 1894, and a replay between Newcastle
- United and Barnsley in 1910.
Goodison Gallery
Goodison Park
What will happen to the ground?
The future of the Goodison Park site has changed several times in the run up to the last game of the season. Fans were led to believe the stadium would be demolished, in favour of a major redevelopment; including affordable housing, community services, business and retail outlets and green space.
However, just five days before the earmarked closure, Everton announced that the ground will in fact remain in L4 as a functioning football stadium for the women's game.
The club said the decision followed "an in-depth review of the Goodison Legacy project by The Friedkin Group", who decided that football must be "kept at the heart of Everton’s community."
The decision has been met with mixed reactions from fans - many of whom believe the move takes away from the widely billed enormity and emotion of the Southampton fixture.
​The next chapter...
​The men's game will move over to the 52,888 capacity Bramley Moore Dock Stadium during the summer break, to be ready for the start of the 2025/26 season.
A number of test events have already taken place at the stadium in order to gain the necessary safety certificates to hold competitive matches.
Bramley Moore Dock stadium has been named as one of 10 host venues for UEFA Euro 2028 and one of three host venues for the 2025 Rugby League Ashes.