Making the most out of an Everton game day

“Evertonians are born not manufactured. We do not choose, we are chosen. Those who understand need no explanation. Those who don’t understand, don’t matter.”

Everton famously summed up why they are viewed as ‘a real family club with strong traditional values’ with this superb marketing strapline in 2015/16.

As one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888, Everton are undoubtedly among the most iconic clubs in English football.

They have spent just four seasons out of the top flight since then and have been playing at this level continuously since 1954. Only Arsenal have a longer unbroken run.

With the club set to move to a new stadium in 2025, fans now have only a limited amount of time to enjoy the matchday experience at Goodison Park.

Read on as we look at the best ways to make the most out of an Everton game day, starting with a tip which should help you keep the cost down.

Avoid the ‘home team’ pubs

As is the case across the country, many of the pubs located closest to Goodison are Everton strongholds. This is great news for home fans, but potentially a negative for visiting supporters.

However, there are loads of pubs situated within a 10-15 walk from the stadium, several of which are happy to welcome fans from other teams.

Several of them offer cheap prices for food and drink on matchdays, making them a great place to enjoy some pre-match socialising with fans of your club.

You can even use the free Wi-Fi to access the games at slotscalendar.org.uk while you are there to give yourself the chance of covering your outlay in the pub.

Meet the players

If you land at Goodison around two hours before kick-off, you will have the opportunity to see the players from each team arrive for the game.

They generally park up outside the Park End and are always happy to stop and chat to fans, sign autographs and take pictures before heading into the ground.

For anyone heading to an Everton game with a younger fan for the first time, this type of engagement adds a magical element to the overall experience.

Supporters do not have too many chances to meet professional football players, so this is unquestionably a great way to break down those barriers.

Check out the Everton Timeline

Wrapped around the perimeter of Goodison Park is a timeline detailing Everton's illustrious history, starting with their humble beginnings in 1878.

Head to the Bullens Road Stand to start the journey, before working your way around the ground to check out key moments from the club’s storied past.

The 1984/85 European Cup Winners’ Cup victory is a particular highlight as this period was one which demonstrated the club’s potential to mix it with the best.

But for Liverpool fans acting despicably at the European Cup final at Heysel Stadium in May 1985, Everton’s success could have been the catalyst for prolonged dominance on the continental stage. 

Visit the Everton FanZone

The Everton FanZone is open for every home game at Goodison, and has loads of pre-match entertainment to suit people of all ages.

Fans can take part in competitions, receive giveaways, meet former Everton stars or listen to live music from some of the best up-and-coming bands on the Merseyside music scene.

The club is planning to transport the FanZone experience to its new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, with the plans including a space with the potential to hold 25,000 spectators.

This will take the pre-match entertainment on Everton game day to a whole new level, and will make the stadium one of the most fan-friendly in Europe.