Hello and welcome to the ECHO’s live coverage of the second test event at Everton’s new stadium.
The match will see the Blues’ Under-21s take on Bolton Wanderers at the state-of-the-art facility at Bramley Moore dock. The first test took place last month when Everton’s Under 18s played Wigan Athletic.
The capacity for Sunday’s event will be increased to 25,000, giving more supporters the chance to have a real look around their new home. Everton have just four games left to play at Goodison Park before the club moves out at the end of the season.
Supporters have been warned ahead of the game that there will be planned evacuation drill before the full-time whistle. That is to enable the Club to obtain a safety licence for the 52,888-capacity waterfront venue.
Fans heading to the event have also been advised that there will be a greater variety of travel choices, with Merseyrail increasing the number of services through Sandhills.
In another key difference from the first test event, supporters will also be able to drink alcohol at the stadium, although Everton have confirmed no draught pumps will be operation.
Joe Thomas and Connor O’Neil will be in attendance to provide live updates from the game, which is due to get underway at 2 p.m. (GMT). Stick with the ECHO throughout the day for build-up, updates and reaction to big day for the Blues ahead of their stadium move.
Key Events
15:30KEY EVENT
Everton’s stadium evacuated
And that is that. The match ends on 65 minutes and supporters are now being asked to leave the stadium.
15:23KEY EVENT
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Bolton (Boayke)
GOAL! Kingsford Boayke heads Everton ahead after great cross into the box from Roman Dixon. The substitute simply couldn’t miss and Hutchinson is finally beaten.
15:23Connor O’Neill
Denied again
Hutchinson again denies substitute Beamount-Clark after Everton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.
15:18Connor O’Neill
Another save
Another great save from Hutchinson. This time he denies Benjamin, who is now leading the line for the Blues after Martin Sherif was replaced during the break.
15:16Joe Rimmer
Trains cancelled
Trains on the Southport line have been cancelled.
Merseyrail have tweeted: Due to a trespasser on the line in the Seaforth & Litherland area. Services on the Southport Line are currently at a stand. British Transport Police are currently on site. More updates will announced once available.
Display in new Everton stadium
15:14Connor O’Neill
No rhythm and blues
Five minutes gone in the second-half and very little has happened so far. Everton have lost their rhythm a little bit, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given the amount of changes they made at the break.
15:09Connor O’Neill
Back underway
Back underway and Paul Tait has made four changes during the break.
15:03Joe Rimmer
Spectacular views
Incredible picture from inside the stadium today. It is already iconic.
14:50Joe Rimmer
Half-time: Everton 0-0 Bolton B
Half-time. It’s goalless at the break, but both sides have had chances. Martin Sherif has been denied on three occasions by Hutchinson.
14:49Connor O’Neill
Big save denies Everton
Another big save from Hutchinson to deny Sherif. This time the forward races clear but his low drive is tipped round the post. That’s three time the forward has been denied by the Bolton goalkeeper.
14:44Connor O’Neill
Big chance wasted
A big chance wasted by Everton. Benjamin is brought down on the edge of box, but the resulting free-kick comes to nothing and Bolton break and win a corner. But again, that comes to nothing. Half-time is five minutes away.
14:38Connor O’Neill
Catching the eye
Isaac Heath has certainly caught the eye for Everton. Martin Sherif has also been a real handful for the Bolton backline. Meanwhile away from the action, plenty of Blues supporters appear to be heading for an early half-time pint.
14:31Connor O’Neill
Big chances
Big chance for Graham, but he can’t control his effort. While at the other end, Alhammadi denied Etete from close-range. Both sides have certainly had chances to open the scoring. But as we hit the 30 minute mark, the game remains goalless.
14:22Connor O’Neill
Growing into it
After a bright start from Bolton, Paul Tait’s side are growing back into this one. They are certainly keeping the ball a lot better. While a big tackle from Butterfiled brings a round of applause from those in attendance.
14:18Connor O’Neill
Nice moment for ex Everton man
A nice moment for Gethin Jones this afternoon. He lines up for Bolton, but was part of the Everton side’s that won the Premier League 2 title under David Unsworth.
14:18Connor O’Neill
Bolton have the ball
Just over 10 minutes gone and Bolton have had more of the ball, but Everton should be ahead. It is also worth pointing out that Bolton’s team looks very much like a “B Team” and it certainly isn’t an under-21 side.
14:11Connor O’Neill
Close!
Almost 1-0 to Everton. Martin Sherif is twice denied in quick succession. The second save was superb, but the forward will be disappointed he didn’t score.
14:10Connor O’Neill
Underway
We’re underway here. Everton attacking the North Stand in the first-half.
14:05Connor O’Neill
Huge roar greets teams
A huge roar greets the two teams as they make their way onto the pitch. There might only be 25,000 people in attendance this afternoon, but the roar was extremely loud. You can only imagine what it will be like full.
14:03Connor O’Neill
Jaw dropping
I’ve just made the walk to my seat and witnessing Everton’s new home for first time was nothing short of an incredible feeling. Just WOW. The pictures do not do this stadium justice. It is jaw-dropping what has been created.
14:03Connor O’Neill
History in the making
Five minutes to go until kick-off and I think most supporters are just delighted to be here. They are witnessing history and something that some rival supporters often suggested wouldn’t become a reality. But Everton’s new home is here and it is incredible.
13:51Joe Thomas
New signage goes up
Preparations for this afternoon’s event, and Everton’s stadium move, were continuing this week with new signage being installed around the ground.
It’s the little things that seem to hit so hard when realising this ground move is actually going to happen, isn’t it!
New signage going up around Everton’s new stadium ahead of the second test event at the weekend pic.twitter.com/qzVBEr5ovO
— Joe Thomas (@joe_thomas18) March 21, 2025
13:50Connor O’Neill
‘It’s incredible.. I didn’t think it was this good’
“It’s incredible, it really is,” says Mark Duggan, a season ticket holder, who is here with his friend this afternoon. While John Platt, here for the first time, can’t believe how impressive the build is. “I’d heard great things about it,” he says, “but I didn’t think it was going to be this good.”
13:42Joe Thomas
Emotional tribute
The first supporters to walk through the turnstiles at the new stadium were Keirnan and Tom Ainsworth, who were given the honour by Everton in memory of Connor, their brother and son, who sadly passed away last year.
The family are all Blues and they made memories together at Goodison. This allowed them to take Connor to the new ground with them.
You can read my interview with Keirnan and Tom, and check out the banner they were able to take into the new ground, HERE
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Everton fan Keirnan Ainsworth is the first Evertonian to enter Everton Stadium before the Everton FC U18s v Wigan Athletic U18s Friendly Test Event Match at Everton Stadium on February 17, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC)
13:41Joe Rimmer
City centre view
Plenty of supporters here in the East Stand are loving the view of the city centre. I’ve lost count how many people have been over to take pictures. You can only imagine what it is going to look like on a lovely sunny afternoon.
13:39Connor O’Neill
Strong side named
Looking ahead to the football, team news is in and Reece Welch is the man who has the honour of leading the Blues out this afternoon. As expected, Paul Tait has named a strong team, full of names who have featured regularly for his side this season.
13:38Joe Thomas
First test event
Everton’s first game at the new home ended in defeat but the young Blues did get on the scoresheet. Ray Robert won a late penalty and slotted in to become the first Everton player to EVER score at the new ground.
You can read more on that HERE
Ray Robert after scoring for Everton against Wigan Athletic (Image: (Emma Simpson/Everton FC))
13:32Joe Rimmer
Special guest
Among the special guests at Everton Stadium today will be the architect, Dan Meis. He has travelled across from America to see his showpiece in action for the first time. I’ll be hoping to catch him at some point before the game.
Excited to be in Liverpool tonight for tomorrow’s test event! My first time seeing fans in the building! pic.twitter.com/yR6bjZvEQd
— danmeis (@Meisarch) March 22, 2025
13:23Connor O’Neill
Fan favourite
Plenty of supporters here in the East Stand are making the most of the facilities in the concourse. Unlike the first test event, fans are able to purchase food and drink this afternoon. The Toffee Donut appears to be a favourite so far.
13:23Connor O’Neill
Breathtaking views
I’m current standing in the East Stand concourse the view looking towards the Mersey and city centre is breathtaking. People would pay a lot of money to have a view like this from their living room window. Hi
