The air was electric at Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock as the Toffees ushered in a new era with the grand opening of their state-of-the-art stadium on August 25, 2025. The occasion, marked by a pulsating atmosphere and a commanding performance on the pitch, was a historic milestone for the club, and former Everton star Wayne Rooney was quick to praise the fans for their pivotal role in making the day unforgettable. “The fans are all there singing, and the atmosphere looked great. They played a massive part in making it a historic day for the club,” Rooney declared, capturing the sentiment of a fanbase that turned out in droves to christen their new home.
The move from Goodison Park, Everton’s beloved home for over a century, to the new 52,888-capacity stadium was more than a change of venue—it was a celebration of the club’s enduring spirit and ambition. The waterfront arena, with its striking design and modern amenities, stood as a testament to Everton’s vision for the future. Unlike the uniform symmetry of other modern stadiums, the new ground boasts a unique character, with one end distinct from the other, giving it a “quirkiness” that Rooney noted sets it apart. “It’s not like if you look at the Emirates, which is a lovely stadium, it’s all just the same the whole way around. It has got a bit more character, one end is a bit different to the other end behind the goal, and it just gives you that little bit of quirkiness which makes it stand out,” he said, speaking on *The Wayne Rooney Podcast*.
The day’s festivities were amplified by the performance of Jack Grealish, Everton’s new signing, who made an immediate impact in his debut. From the opening whistle, Grealish electrified the crowd with his tenacity. “I really liked that in the first few minutes of the game when there was an opportunity for him to get at the full-back and the full-back tackled him, he came back and he put an aggressive tackle in and won the ball back,” Rooney observed. “And you could see the reaction from the crowd, they were all up on their feet.” Grealish’s two assists were a highlight, providing a spark that fueled the team’s momentum and showcased his potential to become a fan favorite. His performance, combined with the fans’ fervor, created an atmosphere that Rooney described as hitting “a bang straight away,” a testament to the supporters’ conscious effort to make the opening match memorable.
The significance of the day extended beyond the pitch. The new stadium represents a bold step for Everton, a club with a storied history but recent struggles to reclaim its place among the Premier League’s elite. The move to Bramley-Moore Dock is seen as a catalyst for revitalization, offering cutting-edge facilities and a capacity to rival top European venues. Fans, many of whom had grown up with Goodison’s hallowed turf, embraced the transition with a mix of nostalgia and excitement, their chants echoing through the docks and setting the tone for the match.
Rooney, a proud Scouser and Evertonian despite his storied career at Manchester United, was visibly moved by the occasion. His connection to the club runs deep, from his days as a teenage prodigy breaking through at Goodison to his return in 2017. His presence at the opening, alongside other Everton legends, added an emotional layer to the day. The parade of former players, including Peter Reid and Graeme Sharp, who received some of the loudest cheers, was a nod to the club’s rich legacy, bridging past and present.
As Everton looks ahead, the new stadium promises to be more than just a venue—it’s a symbol of hope and ambition. Grealish’s impact and the fans’ unwavering support suggest a bright future. Rooney’s words encapsulated the collective sentiment: the fans’ passion was the heartbeat of this historic day, ensuring that Everton’s new chapter began with a roar that will resonate for years to come.
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