Travel advice from Merseyrail ahead of Everton’s first home game this weekend at Hill Dickinson Stadium

Merseyrail is preparing to welcome thousands of football fans travelling to Everton FC’s first Premier League home game of the season against Brighton, at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, 24 August.

With Sandhills station the closest Merseyrail station to the stadium, fans are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. A new second entrance and pedestrian footbridge at Sandhills station is now open, helping customers to travel more easily. 

To support the expected increase in passenger numbers, Merseyrail will operate a 15-minute timetable on key lines, including Southport, Ormskirk, Hunts Cross and Headbolt Lane, before and after the match (between approximately 11:00–13:30 and 16:00–18:00). All available 4 and 8-car trains will also be in service.

Temporary timetable changes will be in place on the Southport line, with Liverpool-bound services arriving and departing at different times than usual between 11:00 and 18:00. A 30-minute timetable will also be in effect all day for customers using Cressington station.

Additional services will run on the Wirral line, and fans are advised to use the Journey Planner on Merseyrail’s website or speak to station staff to check train times. 

To ensure a safe and smooth experience for customers, the dedicated fan management zone will be in operation at Sandhills station. Merseyrail staff will also be on hand to assist passengers and manage queues.

Suzanne Grant, Deputy Managing Director of Merseyrail, said:

“As excitement grows amongst Everton fans about the start of the new season, our teams have worked hard to put in place extra services and support to make matchday travel as smooth and safe as possible. We’re asking fans to help us to help them, by planning ahead, allowing extra time for their journeys, and following advice from our team who are there to help keep everyone safe.”

Sandhills station offers step-free access via a lift, and assistance can be booked in advance by calling 0151 555 1111 or speaking to staff at the fan management zone.

For real-time updates and support, fans can contact Merseyrail via WhatsApp or X (formerly Twitter). The customer service team is available from 06:00–23:30 Monday to Saturday and 10:00–18:00 on Sundays.

Visit the Merseyrail website here.

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