New Everton Stadium sold out for historic fixture

Tickets for the rugby league Ashes game between England and Australia at the new Everton Stadium are sold out

Chris Beesley Everton reporter

13:04, 14 Apr 2025Updated 17:32, 14 Apr 2025

Everton are set to host the biggest Ashes crowd for a rugby league international since 1994 after it was confirmed that the game between England and Australia at the Blues’ new stadium selling out within minutes of going on general sale. The game at Everton Stadium will take place on November 1 and will be the first major non-football event at the 52,888 capacity venue.

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RL Commercial CEO Rhodri Jones said: “The excitement around the return of the Rugby League Ashes has been building for months, and to have already sold out two of the three matches is a huge boost to the sport.

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“It has been a pleasure working with the staff at all three venues to deliver such an outstanding result. The Second Test at the new Everton Stadium will have an attendance of more than 50,000, which will be the biggest for an Ashes Test since 1994.

“We’re excited about the prospect of taking the first non-football event to such a superb new stadium, and also about taking an Ashes Test to Headingley for the first time since 1982 – in each case in front of a full house.”

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Everton’s interim chief executive, Colin Chong, added: “We’re incredibly proud to host one of the biggest fixtures in international Rugby League and welcome fans from across the country to our new home.“To see this event sell out so quickly is a fantastic endorsement of the stadium as a multi-sport venue, and the demand from sports fans to experience The Ashes and the stadium. We look forward to working with Rugby League commercial to deliver an unforgettable matchday experience.”

The sell-out at Bramley-Moore Dock ensures only the opening Test at Wembley remains available for the general public to purchase tickets for and there are now hopes that fixture in London will post an even bigger crowd. In addition to this Ashes test, the first major non-footballing event to be announced at Everton Stadium, the stadium has already been selected as a host venue for UEFA Euro 2028.

Goodbye Goodison Park - Souvenir edition

Everton are soon set to say goodbye to Goodison Park as the Toffees play out their final few matches in their iconic home before moving to their incredible new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

And to celebrate this historic and poignant event, the ECHO has produced this stunning special souvenir edition that no fan can afford to be without as they bid farewell to their iconic and beloved home.

We have delved into the ECHO archives to unearth fascinating stories from the famous ground's past, including how it came to be built in 1892 and where its world-famous name came from.

Relive some of the most epic games to have graced the Grand Old Lady, including first-hand accounts of those involved in perhaps Goodison's greatest night - the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final win over Bayern Munich in the unforgettable year of 1985.

And then there are the legends - from Dean to Hickson, Sharp to Ferguson, Kendall to Moyes, we celebrate the Goodison icons who will live forever in the hearts and minds of Evertonians everywhere long after the ground is gone.

There are also some rare treats with a glorious collection of photographs from the archives, featuring stunning Goodison views and behind-the-scenes footage of what makes the Grand Old Lady truly tick.

Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents on Merseyside from April 2, 2025.

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Between 1908-21, Goodison Park staged four rugby league matches involving touring Antipodean sides. During the 1908/09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, Australia defeated a Northern Union XIII 10-9 on November 18, 1908 before England beat Australia 14-7 on March 3, 1909.

The 1911/12 Kangaroo Tour saw Australasia (a combined team of Australians and New Zealanders) overcome a Northern League XIII on October 25, 1911 before the 1921/22 Kangaroo Tour witnessed Australasia’s 29-6 victory over Lancashire on November 30, 1921.