Everton’s New Stadium: Fans Struggle to Connect as Winless Run Continues

Liverpool – The transition to a new home has been anything but seamless for Everton. Although the club’s finances are poised for a significant boost and the Hill Dickinson Stadium itself is being lauded as a state-of-the-art facility, on-field results and logistical challenges are casting a shadow over the inaugural season at their new dockside venue.

Everton manager David Moyes acknowledges the difficulties, stating that adapting to new surroundings takes time. However, the stark contrast between their away form – remarkably, 12 Premier League wins on the road since his return, second only to Arsenal’s eight in the 2025-26 campaign – and their struggles at Hill Dickinson Stadium is becoming increasingly concerning. The Blues haven’t tasted victory at their new home in seven fixtures across all competitions, a run that extends to 13 matches without a win for the home side.

The scheduling of matches is a major point of contention. Burnley’s visit on Tuesday evening marked the fifth consecutive Premier League home game played on a weeknight. Everton last played a league match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on a weekend on January 4th, and their last 3pm Saturday home game was against Nottingham Forest on December 6th – the last time they secured a home win in any competition. Should the upcoming Merseyside derby in April and the match against Manchester City in May be moved for television coverage, as is widely anticipated, Everton’s first season at the new stadium could feature as many 8pm Monday kick-offs as traditional Saturday afternoon starts – three of each.

This peculiar schedule is proving detrimental to fan attendance and the development of a true home atmosphere. One season-ticket holder, residing in the south of England, anticipates missing seven or eight home games this season due to the challenging fixture list. The club is aware This represents not an isolated case. While Everton benefits financially from television selections, the current arrangement is hindering fans’ ability to adapt to their new surroundings.

Beyond the scheduling issues, concerns have been raised about the stadium’s accessibility and the overall matchday experience. The new bars opposite the stadium anticipated increased weekend business, but the prevalence of weeknight games has limited that potential. Improvements to street lighting along Regent Road and access at Sandhills train station have been made, but further adjustments are needed.

Everton are actively seeking feedback from fans through post-match “experience surveys.” The initial response to the stadium itself has been overwhelmingly positive, given the approximately £800 million investment in the facility. The club is responding to concerns by increasing staffing levels, installing more kiosks to reduce queues, and improving access for disabled supporters – now boasting more disabled parking bays than any other Premier League club except Manchester City.

However, some issues persist. Long queues for men’s toilets in the South Stand remain a common complaint. More significantly, the transport infrastructure around Hill Dickinson Stadium is a recurring theme in fan feedback. The dockland location, with access limited to one side, presents inherent challenges, and the increased number of night-time matches exacerbates traffic congestion for local residents, businesses, and supporters.

Despite these challenges, the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium is already yielding significant commercial benefits. Sponsorship deals with global brands like Pepsi and Budweiser represent a substantial leap forward for a club that previously struggled to attract such partnerships. Andrew Middleton, Everton’s president of business operations, stated that the club is “on course to deliver its strongest annual commercial performance to date,” attributing much of that success to the new stadium.

The stadium is as well attracting attention beyond football. The successful hosting of the rugby league Ashes Test in November led to a deal to host the Super League’s Magic Weekend in July. A Nations Championship rugby union match is scheduled for the following week, and the Lionesses will face Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier at the venue in June. The operational success of the relocation has even prompted delegations from clubs in other leagues, including Serie A’s Milan, to visit Hill Dickinson Stadium to learn from Everton’s experience.

Moyes recognizes the necessitate for adaptation, acknowledging the stark contrast between the new stadium and the club’s former home at Goodison Park. “You think of Goodison; narrow tunnel, the lights, the crowd can touch you every time you’re off the pitch,” he said. “This is completely different for the opposition. Other teams reach here and enjoy it. It might not gaze it, but it feels a bigger space than Goodison.” While acknowledging the differences, Moyes believes his team is improving and that their performances at Hill Dickinson Stadium will eventually match their away form.

For now, however, Everton are still searching for that elusive home comfort, hoping that a combination of on-field success, improved logistics, and a growing connection between the team and its supporters will transform Hill Dickinson Stadium into the fortress they envision.