Everton fans wave emotional goodbye to Goodison Park with blue flares and 8:30am pub visits

Everton fans pulled out all the tricks as they waved goodbye to Goodison Park during an emotional afternoon on the banks of the River Mersey

Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

13:35, 18 May 2025Updated 13:53, 18 May 2025

An aerial view of the Everton team bus arriving at Goodison Park before the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on May 18, 2025 in Liverpool, England.

Everton fans waved goodbye to Goodison Park(Image: Getty Images)

The sky was a different shade of blue on Sunday afternoon over the banks of the River Mersey.

Sunday (May 18) marked the day all Everton fans knew was coming but dreaded nonetheless - Goodison Park's final Premier League game. Everton fans descended on the famous old ground one last time as they welcomed Southampton.

According to a various reports, as many as 10,000 ticketless fans had gathered outside of the stadium alongside those were ready to enter to the stadium to put on quite the show.

Flares turned the midday sky a darker shade of blue, while others had been around the stadium since the early hours.

'The People's Pub' under 'The Winslow Hotel', located opposite the stadium and separated by the one-way Goodison Road were hosting fans with beer as early as 8:14am.

Fans of Everton are seen with blue flares around the Dixie Dean statue outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on May 18, 2025 in Liverpool, England. Goodison Park, home of Everton Football Club since August 24, 1892, will play host to its final Men's First Team fixture today ahead of the clubs move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the 2025/26 season.

Everton fans had been in boozers at 8:30am(Image: Getty Images)

The Premier League have also waved a strict rule surrounding alcohol on Sunday. After the full-time whistle fans are being encouraged to remain in their seats for an ‘End of an Era’ show.

While the show is ongoing, fans will be able to take alcohol to their seats, despite being in view of the pitch.

Emotions were visible on TV cameras with fans spotted in tears as the Toffee's Z Cars anthem blasted around the stadium before an almighty roar greeted the two teams.

Everton fans make their way to the stadium before the Premier League match at Goodison Park, Liverpool.

Everton fans let off flares on Sunday afternoon(Image: PA)

The stadium has hosted some of the Premier League's most iconic moments, while also some of the games greats - including Eusebio - during the 1966 World Cup.

"This stadium, for me, is the best stadium of my playing life," the icon said.

Goodison Park isn't gone forever, next season it will be used for their women's team. Everton, meanwhile, will move over to their new stadium located on Bramley-Moore Dock.

That stadium has now been named on Friday (May 16). Everton revealed the new name on X: "More than football - Hill Dickinson Stadium."

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Angus Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer of Everton, said: “Welcoming Hill Dickinson as our naming rights partner is a bold and strategic step forward. This partnership goes beyond branding – it’s a shared commitment to progress, excellence and the regeneration of our city.

"Hill Dickinson Stadium will stand as a symbol of Everton’s ambitions, our values, and the global future we are building together."