Goodison Park stadium

Goodison Park was completed in 1892 following Everton’s departure from Anfield after a dispute with their landlord. The move made history: Goodison became the first major English football ground built specifically for a football club. Designed by Archibald Leitch, who went on to influence the design of many British stadiums, Goodison featured innovations such as seated stands and, later, in 1958, under-soil heating to prevent frozen pitches.

For over 130 years, Goodison Park was known as “The Grand Old Lady”. It hosted countless memorable matches and was home to some of the greatest figures in English football. Everton’s nine league titles and five FA Cup victories were celebrated here, and the ground played a role in international tournaments too, including the 1966 FIFA World Cup. During that competition, Goodison staged several matches, including a semi-final between West Germany and the Soviet Union.

The stadium’s location in a dense residential district made it distinctive among major football venues. Surrounded by terraced streets, pubs and local shops, Goodison Park became a focal point of community life in north Liverpool. Generations of fans grew up attending matches, and the ground acquired a deep cultural and emotional significance that extended beyond football. Even as the club moved to its new stadium, Goodison’s legacy remains tied to the identity of both Everton and the local area.

After Everton’s relocation to Hill Dickinson Stadium, Goodison Park entered a new phase. It will now serve as the permanent home of the Everton women’s team, continuing its role as a working football venue. At the same time, the club has preserved public access through guided tours, offering supporters and visitors an opportunity to explore the ground before future redevelopment takes place.

What to see on a tour of Goodison Park

Tours of Goodison Park take visitors behind the scenes of one of the most historically significant football stadiums in England. The experience blends football heritage with a glimpse of the facilities that served generations of players, officials and fans.

Tours begin at the entrance to the Main Stand, where visitors are greeted with photographs and memorabilia chronicling Everton’s long association with the ground. From there, guests move through the stadium’s inner areas, starting with the dressing rooms. The home changing room retains many original features and includes displays of shirts and boots belonging to former players. Guides explain how pre-match routines have changed over the decades, from the era of heavy leather boots to modern sports science.

The tour continues through the players’ tunnel, which leads out onto the pitch. Standing at the edge of the field, visitors gain an appreciation of the stadium’s close stands and the unique atmosphere that once defined match days. Guides often share stories about famous matches, legendary players and dramatic goals scored in front of the Gwladys Street End.

From pitchside, the route usually proceeds to the Directors’ Box and Boardroom, both of which reflect the traditions of English football administration. The Boardroom, with its collection of photographs and match programmes, reveals the club’s long relationship with the Football League and the FA Cup.

One of Goodison’s most unusual features is the presence of St Luke church, which sits between two stands. The church has been part of the site since before the stadium was built and still operates as a place of worship. Visitors learn about the close connection between the parish and the club, including the church’s role in community outreach and supporter remembrance events.

Other highlights include the media suite, where post-match interviews were conducted, and the dugouts, allowing visitors to sit where past managers, including Howard Kendall and David Moyes, directed their teams. Many tours also include access to small exhibition areas displaying trophies, photographs and artefacts that trace Everton’s evolution from a founding member of the Football League in 1888 to a modern Premier League club.

Although Goodison Park no longer hosts the men’s first team, it remains an active football ground. Visitors may see preparations for women’s matches or maintenance work that keeps the pitch and stands in match-ready condition. For many, the tour offers a quiet farewell to a venue that helped define Liverpool’s football identity for over a century.

Visiting Goodison Park

Goodison Park is around 3km (2 miles) north of the city centre, not too far from LFC’s Anfield Stadium.

Most people visit by bus with several direct bus routes from Liverpool city centre. The easiest option if you’re visiting for the stadium tour is to take bus routes 19, 20, 21, 26, 310, 345 or 919 from the city centre. It is also possible to take a train to Kirkdale and walk the remaining 18 minutes.

Visitor facilities include a small café and a shop selling club merchandise and memorabilia. Public toilets are available within the stadium, and most of the tour route is accessible for wheelchair users, though some areas, particularly older sections of the stands, may have limited access.

Although visitors are encouraged to take photos during their tour, videography is not allowed.

For those wishing to combine old and new, some visitors choose to book tours of both Goodison Park and Hill Dickinson Stadium. This allows for a broader view of Everton’s journey from its late Victorian roots to its modern home on the docks. While Hill Dickinson Stadium showcases new architecture and facilities, the atmosphere of Goodison Park remains unmatched for those interested in the history of the game.

Allow around two hours for a tour of Goodison Park, including time in the museum.

We may earn a small commission if you book after clicking the links below.