Merseyrail Transports Thousands of Everton Supporters for Test Event

Successful trial event helps prepare for the stadium’s official opening at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Merseyrail has successfully transported thousands of Everton supporters safely and efficiently to and from the second test event at the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and other customers

The carefully coordinated transport arrangements ensured a smooth and efficient journey experience for those attending the event, with extra services and longer trains operating as planned. The use of 8-car trains and additional services before and after the event helped manage the increased number of customers, keeping queues to a minimum and ensuring everyone reached their destination safely and swiftly.

Despite some busy trains on the Hunts Cross line and a trespasser on the tracks in the Seaforth area causing some minor disruption, the plan put in place, as part of the wider transportation strategy, for the event worked well.

Public transport partners, including the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), Merseyrail, Arriva, Stagecoach, Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police, and Everton FC, worked closely to deliver a seamless operation, demonstrating the value of strong collaboration in managing large-scale events.

Merseyrail’s Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Dodd said:

“We are pleased with how well this test event went, with thousands of customers travelling smoothly and safely via Sandhills station – thank you for following travel advice and for your patience”.

“The feedback from this and the previous test event are invaluable as we continue to refine our matchday transport plans, ahead of the stadium’s official opening at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season. These test events allow us to further improve the overall travel experience for fans.”

As preparations continue, extra services and 8-car trains will once again be in operation for the final test event in the summer. Merseyrail have also confirmed that they will be reviewing plans for additional services on the Hunts Cross line, given the demand during the test event today.

With each successful test event, Merseyrail and its partners are fine-tuning operations to ensure the best possible matchday experience when Everton FC officially kicks off the 2025/26 season at its new home.