Keith Wyness drops Everton new stadium reveal after ‘recent visit’
Everton will welcome 10,000 fans to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium for the first time next week (17 February) for an Under-18’s friendly.
The Toffees are set to move into the new 52,888-capacity stadium for the 2025-26 campaign with just six more games to play at Goodison Park this term.
Finance expert Stefan Borson has exclusively told Football Insider (9 February) that Everton should accept a £10million-a-year deal for the stadium naming rights instead of waiting for a £20million offer.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on the stadium project after a recent visit.
Everton new stadium verdict from Wyness after ‘recent visit’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed there is “still a lot of work to do” in hospitality suites and the inner workings of the ground before it fully opens.
Football Insider revealed on 5 February Everton’s new ownership want to take a US-style approach towards matchdays at the state-of-the-art stadium.
Wyness claimed the first test event on 17 February will be aimed at making sure the ticketing and IT systems are up to scratch.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I was taking some visitors down by the new stadium this week, we had a good look at what is going on.
“There was still a lot of activity, so it’s going to be a last-minute operation to get the stadium ready.
“It looked like the works were mainly internal, getting the fit-out done. I think there is still a lot of work to do in terms of the hospitality suites and the inner workings of the stadium.
“Of course, we’ll see what sort of state the pitch is in for this test event.
“This first test will be about getting the ticketing systems, the IT systems, the booking systems all working.
“That’s what this one will be about – making sure those systems work.”
Dan Friedkin backed to bankroll £200m of Everton signings
Meanwhile, Everton will also be putting plans in place for the upcoming summer transfer window as they prepare to move into a new home.
Wyness has previously told Football Insider that Everton could spend £50million on four players this summer- £200million in total – thanks to increased revenue from the stadium.
David Moyes’ side made just one January addition, bringing Carlos Alcaraz to the club on loan from Brazilian giants Flamengo.
Everton sit 15th in the Premier League table and have pulled ten points clear of the relegation zone after going four games unbeaten under Moyes.
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