Everton now look set to move into their new stadium at the beginning of the 2025-26 season.
But the club insists the Bramley Moore Dock development IS on schedule and will be completed late in 2024. Interim Chief Executive Officer Colin Chong has given an update on the 53,000-seater arena on the banks of the River Mersey, saying: "We are confident the stadium will be completed in the final months of 2024.
"This means we won’t be starting the 2024 season at Everton Stadium – but, to reiterate, the Club has never publicly confirmed an intention to begin the 2024/25 season at our new home.
"If the project remains on schedule, it raises the question as to whether the Club moves in mid-season or alternatively, do we wait and give the Grand Old Lady a fitting send-off before commencing competitive league games for the senior men’s team at the start of the 2025/26 season?
"Moving mid-season may offer some commercial benefits, but also presents a series of challenges and hurdles that could negatively impact other aspects of the Club – and other commercial considerations.
"What I can say categorically is that, today, the project is several weeks ahead of schedule, with another winter to come. In the coming months we will be consulting supporters further on our digital journey and the migration process as we seek to make a fully informed decision on when the first competitive game for our senior men’s team will be played at Everton Stadium.
"This will be our home for generations to come, so our ambition is to ensure we get this right for everyone. It may have been a difficult and turbulent season on the pitch, but I know that in Everton Stadium we have a glimpse into the future of football for our great club."
On the pitch, Everton managed to escape relegation by the skin of their teeth on the final day of the season. The Toffees secured a last-gasp 1-0 win over Bournemouth at Goodison Park to secure their survival.
Speaking after the game, Sean Dyche said: "It's a big club, make no mistake. Big history, big club but we are not performing like a big club. We have to find a way of changing that. This is two seasons now. I’ve played my little part but there is massive amount of change to build to a new dawn, a new future, a bigger future if you like.
"I think the Evertonians, as remarkable as they have been, have to remember that. This is a bigger project than just: ‘Oh well, it’s all right now.’ It’s not because there is a lot of work required as this has been going on for two years. I don’t have magic dust, I can only make things happen I think are believable."
