On May 13, 2025, Everton officially announced that Goodison Park will serve as the permanent home of Everton Women starting from the 2025–26 Women's Super League season, after the men's team vacates the stadium.

The club abandoned plans to demolish Goodison Park, opting instead to preserve it as a dedicated venue for the women's team.

🔍 Why the Move?

Everton Women had been playing at Walton Hall Park since 2020—a modest venue seating ~2,200 (only ~500 seats).

With the WSL's growth and stadium requirements, Walton Hall Park was no longer suitable for the club's ambitions.

Goodison offers significantly greater capacity and historical prestige. Once optimized, it would be the largest dedicated women's football stadium in England, with a reduced capacity expected around 20,000–39,000 depending on stands in use and design changes.

🏗️ Stadium Transition & Upgrades

The Friedkin Group, Everton's owners since late 2024, conducted a feasibility study before deciding to keep Goodison for football use and women's fixtures.

A phased refurbishment plan will cover:

• Upgrading changing rooms and matchday facilities
• Rebranding parts of the stadium with Everton Women imagery
• Reducing usable capacity by closing upper tiers to create atmospheric, right-sized crowds

Goodison will also host selected academy and community matches, while Walton Hall Park continues to support grassroots girls' football.

💬 Reactions & Significance

Everton CEO Angus Kinnear emphasized that preserving Goodison demonstrates commitment to women's football and honours the stadium's legacy.

Captain Megan Finnigan called it "a career highlight" and hailed the move as a testament to both the growth and future potential of Everton Women.

Fans and fan advisory members, including former goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, expressed emotional support, noting that moving into Goodison "feels like coming home" for the team.

WSL leadership described the move as a landmark commitment, positioning Everton Women at the forefront of women's football development.

📅 Timeline

Date	Key Event
May 13, 2025	Everton confirms Goodison Park as permanent home for women's team
2025–26 season	Everton Women begin playing at Goodison Park

✅ Why It Matters

It's a strategic and symbolic investment: giving Everton Women a world-class home at one of England's most iconic stadiums affirms the club's ambitions and fan engagement potential.

With capacity tailored to WSL demand and enhanced facilities, matchdays should offer better atmosphere, visibility, and economic uplift to local businesses.

This move sets a precedent: placing women's teams in flagship stadiums signals broader progress in women's football across England.

⚠️ Ongoing Considerations

The stadium is aging and will require ongoing investment to modernize key sections, especially if crowd sizes rise, according to supporters and fans.

While the women's team holds ownership and strong cultural value, balancing operating costs with attendance revenue remains a practical challenge.

🎯 In Summary

Everton Women's move into Goodison Park for the 2025–26 WSL season marks a pivotal shift in infrastructure, ambition, and support. Built on a legacy venue, the club now has a permanent, iconic home ready to elevate its profile and deepen community and fan engagement. It's not just a stadium—it's a bold statement for the future of women's football.

Key Sources

• The Sun
• Wikipedia
• Sky Sports
• The Guardian
• BBC
• TalkSport
• Reuters
• The Stadium Business
• thetoffeeblues.com
• ESPN.com
• Reddit

🤔 Questions for Discussion

As Everton Women prepare for this historic move to Goodison Park, we'd love to hear your thoughts:

1. What impact do you think moving to Goodison Park will have on Everton Women's attendance and fan engagement?
2. Should other WSL clubs follow Everton's example and move their women's teams into their main stadiums?
3. What challenges do you foresee in maintaining the historic atmosphere of Goodison while adapting it for women's football?

💬 Share your thoughts below! We'd love to hear your perspective on this landmark decision for women's football. What does this move mean to you as a fan?