Rugby Ashes and Premier League Clash Expected to Crowd Liverpool Train Services

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Rail passengers travelling to Liverpool have been advised by Network Rail to plan their journeys ahead of two major sporting events in the city.

On Saturday 1 November, the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium will host England vs Australia in the return of rugby league’s Ashes series for the first time in 22 years, kicking off at 2.30pm.

Later in the day, Liverpool FC will take on Aston Villa at Anfield in a Premier League clash which kicks off at 8pm.

Fans hoping to travel to Liverpool for either of the two matches have been warned to expect busy train services throughout the day.

With bumper crowds expected, Network Rail is advising rail travellers to follow its three 'golden rules' for the smoothest journey possible.  

  • Plan your journey  

  • Check before you travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk  

  • Know when your last train home is, and be prepared to queue on the day  

Rachel Rahbazare, station manager at Liverpool Lime Street said: “It’s great to see the new stadium hosting the new rugby league series and we know how popular Liverpool FC games always are.

“To make everyone’s trips as smooth as possible we would urge passengers to plan their trips ahead of time and check in for updates before you travel. It’s always important to check the times for your last train home, especially for Liverpool and Aston Villa fans with the weekend’s late kick off.”

Stephen Dodd, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail said: “We’re excited to welcome fans travelling on Merseyrail to the Rugby League Ashes at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 1 November 2025.

"We’ll be running enhanced services, including a 15-minute timetable on key lines before and after the game. Sandhills is the nearest station, just a 15-minute walk from the stadium, with a fan management zone in place to help people move through safely and efficiently.

“Fans arriving at Lime Street can take a short five-minute walk to Liverpool Central for connections to Sandhills. Please plan ahead, allow extra time, and check the Journey Planner on the Merseyrail website before travelling."

Disruption could also be increased by a planned rail strike on Cross Country services taking place on November 1. Passengers should check with their train operator or on the National Rail website for up-to-date travel advice on the day.