The kick-off time for Everton’s last-ever fixture at Goodison Park, a Premier League clash against Southampton, has been confirmed as being 12 noon on Sunday, May 18 and will be broadcast live on TNT. With this season’s FA Cup final taking place on Saturday, May 17, recent speculation that the historic farewell at the Blues’ home for the past 133 years might be moved to the Monday night, prompted the Everton Fan Advisory Board to urge that the game be played on the Sunday.
Their statement read: “On behalf of Evertonians, football fans, players and staff both past and present we respectfully ask you to consider scheduling the broadcast of this historic match at a sensible time on Sunday May 18th - a time that enables match-going fans to travel to and from the game at reasonable times, whilst ensuring the fullest possible participation, so that a passionate community can unite, and a global audience can join in the celebration of an iconic day in the heritage of the game.”
Everton, who are moving to their new 52,888 capacity Mersey waterfront stadium – which will enable them to play in front of the biggest regular crowds in their history given that the club have only once enjoyed averaged crowds of more than 50,000 in a season (51,603 for the 1962/63 title-winning campaign) – put in a specific request last summer to have Goodison’s last game in the penultimate weekend so the occasion could be given fitting coverage rather than potentially being overshadowed by other potential final day matters in the Premier League.
Goodison Park became the first purpose-built football ground in England in 1892 when Everton departed Anfield over a rent dispute with landlord John Houlding, leaving him to form Liverpool FC to fill the financial void.
As well as staging more English top flight matches than any other venue, it has staged two FA Cup finals plus five World Cup games in 1966, including a semi-final.
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.
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.
And that's not all, also available is ParkLife, a a high quality, 312 page publication showcasing 133-years of Goodison history in pictures. Available here. Then there's Farewell to Goodison, celebrating 100 of the best moments at the Grand Old Lady, available to purchase now.
When the Blues started their construction at Bramley-Moore Dock, they also revealed plans to maintain a presence in L4 through the Goodison Park Legacy Project, by adding to their collection of community buildings in the area, rather than selling the land for either a retail or housing development.
However, since the takeover of the club by The Friedkin Group, the possibility of repurposing the site for Everton’s women’s team – currently based at Walton Hall Park – has been mooted, so the future of the site remains unclear.
