Goodison Park: Guide for Visiting Fans

The Merseyrail Northern Line serves Kirkdale Station, which is approximately one mile from Goodison Park. From Liverpool city centre, walk to Liverpool Central from where you can take a train to Kirkdale with a journey time of roughly 10 minutes. From the station it's a roughly 15-minute walk — turn right over the railway bridge, head up Westminster Road, and follow Spellow Lane down to the ground.

On matchdays, there's a better option: the Soccerbus connects Sandhills Station directly to Goodison Park, and when purchasing your train ticket, you can request 'Goodison Park' as an add-on for only £3, providing a round-trip fare on the Soccerbus. The Soccerbus operates for two hours before each match, continuing until 15 minutes before kick-off, and for 50 minutes after the final whistle.

If you'd rather take a bus from the city centre, services 19, 20, 21, 310, and 345 run from Queen Square Bus Station, and service 26 runs from Liverpool ONE Bus Station. On matchdays only, service 919 also runs directly from Commutation Row in the city centre. The bus takes roughly 15 minutes.

Goodison Park is located two miles north of Liverpool City Centre , and walking the whole way takes about 45–55 minutes — doable in good weather, grim in a Mersey November.

By car, exit the M6 at junction 21A, take the M62 towards Liverpool, turn right onto Queens Drive (A5058) at the end of the motorway and continue for four miles to the junction of A580 (East Lancashire Road). Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is roughly 9 miles south of the stadium — budget about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Due to road closures immediately surrounding Goodison Park on matchdays, local taxis will need to drop off within a short walk to the stadium.

Goodison Park does not have its own car park, but there is a car park at nearby Stanley Park. Parking there costs £10 per car, and the entrance is on Priory Road. The Stanley Park car park is a 5–10-minute walk from the away turnstiles. It's the obvious choice and it does fill up, so arriving 90 minutes before kickoff is sensible.

There is a resident parking scheme in place in the streets surrounding Goodison Park, which is strictly enforced — parking in surrounding streets may lead to a fine and the vehicle being clamped or removed. Don't chance it; the locals have seen every trick and the wardens know it.

The roads surrounding Goodison Park are closed two hours before kick-off, with a full road closure in place 45 minutes before kick-off, remaining in place for 15–30 minutes after the final whistle. If you're driving, factor that into your exit plan. Many fans park in the city centre and take the bus — genuinely less stress.

Goodison is in Walton, a dense residential neighbourhood two miles north of the city centre. The honest answer is: don't stay in Walton. There's very little hotel stock up here and no real reason to be based this far from Liverpool's attractions.

City Centre (L1/L2) is where you want to be. It puts you 15 minutes by bus or Merseyrail from the ground, and you're walking distance from the Waterfront, the Cavern Quarter, and dozens of restaurants and bars. Price range runs from £60–£100/night for a decent mid-range hotel to £150+ for something like The Shankly Hotel (yes, that Shankly) near Lime Street, which has its own sports-bar energy and the kind of football-obsessed décor that is either charming or exhausting depending on your persuasion.

Anfield/Everton area (L4/L6): There are a few budget options including guesthouses within a mile of the ground, but the neighbourhood is quiet and mostly residential. Fine if you're on a tight budget and don't mind the walk, but you'll want the bus to go anywhere after dark.

The honest pre-match reality for away fans: many pubs close to Goodison run a strict Everton-fan-only policy on matchday, meaning a valid ticket or Everton membership card may be required before being granted entry. Your options narrow quickly.

The Arkles (77 Anfield Rd, L4 0TJ) is the designated away pub. It is the designated pub for visiting supporters and is a 15-minute walk from Goodison Park. A Greene King pub, it offers an extensive and reasonably priced menu and shows Sky and BT Sport for the pre-match build-up. Arrive early — it gets genuinely packed and the queue at the bar is not for the faint-hearted.

The Thomas Frost (177–187 Walton Rd, L4 4AJ) is the nearest Wetherspoons, which welcomes home and away fans. It's a good atmosphere on matchday with a mix of supporters, though it can be incredibly busy. Cheap pints, no frills. You know what you're getting.

The Spellow (79 Goodison Rd, L4 4EN) is steps from the ground. It has previously extended a warm welcome to some visiting fans, but it will get very busy on a matchday. Worth a shot if you're early, but be respectful — this is very much Everton territory.

The Head of Steam (85 Hanover Street, Liverpool city centre) is the best move if you want proper craft beer and no aggro. It features in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and is comfortably away-fan-friendly. Hop the bus up to the ground at kick-off minus 45 and you're golden.

Small, personal bags (handbag, medical bag) are permitted in the stadium, but bags exceeding A5 size are not permitted. There is no bag storage facility at Goodison Park. This is genuinely restrictive. The bag policy only permits bags to be brought into the stadium after they have been searched, and only if they are of a size capable of being stowed under a stadium seat. Leave the backpack at the hotel, full stop.

Turnstiles at Goodison Park open 90 minutes before kick-off, and fans are advised to arrive early to support pre-match security and ticket checks. Fans will be searched on entry to the ground and sniffer dogs will be present.

Visiting supporters are located in the Bullens Road Stand and enter via turnstiles 53–60. Tickets can be collected from the Bullens Road Ticket Office, which is located next to the away supporters' turnstiles and open three hours before kick-off. Bring photo ID if collecting.

Goodison Park is a cashless stadium which accepts all major debit and credit cards. Matchday programmes are priced at £4.00 and can be purchased using cash only from vendors outside the stadium — so keep a couple of quid in your pocket if you're a programme collector.

The designated accessible entrance for away fans is adjacent to the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand and Bullens Road. Goodison Park has low-level counters at kiosks, hearing loops, and audio commentary. Accessible toilets are located within the Bullens Road visitors' area and can be accessed via a RADAR key.

There are 20 wheelchair spaces and two accessible toilets available in the away end. There are several car parks on a first-come, first-served basis for Blue Badge holders. Everton's Disability Access Team can be contacted at [email protected] or on 01515 561878. Given the age and layout of this ground, calling ahead is genuinely recommended for anyone with mobility needs — Goodison is a Victorian-era structure and it shows.

Visiting supporters are located in the Bullens Road Stand and enter via turnstiles 53–60. You don't get a choice of section — away fans are allocated the Bullens Road Stand, which runs along one side of the pitch. It's actually a reasonable draw: you get a side-on view of the whole pitch, decent elevation, and — thanks to the low-hanging roof over the stand — real acoustic intensity when the away end gets going.

Away fans can typically generate a lot of noise due to the low-hanging roof, which creates a great atmosphere. The sightlines from Bullens Road are honest rather than spectacular — no steep rake, no premium angles — but you see the entire game clearly. Upper Bullens is the better tier if you have a choice within the allocation; the view opens up considerably and you're above the crowd noise rather than in the middle of it.

Goodison won't coddle you. This is a ground that was built into a grid of terraced streets and has never pretended otherwise — there's a church so close to the corner of the pitch that Everton once tried to have it moved. Anfield, at the top of Stanley Park, is a solid mass on the skyline while Goodison Park, at the foot of the gentle slope, is a gaunt cathedral among low terraced houses. The concourse behind the away end is tight, the facilities are functional rather than plush, and catering from the small concourse area includes hot dogs, pies, and burgers, and alcohol is also available. A pint at the ground costs between £5 and £6 on average — something of a bargain compared to other Premier League venues. The home faithful are passionate and tribal; they won't go out of their way to make you feel welcome, but they're football people and they respect the game. Do not be the person who mouths off after a goal — Goodison's corners are tight and the home end is not far away.

By transit: The Soccerbus runs for 50 minutes after the final whistle from Sandhills. It will be rammed — expect queues and a sardine experience on the bus itself. Supporters are advised to have a back-up, like a taxi or walking to Kirkdale station, for after the game as the shuttle buses become very cramped. Walking to Kirkdale (roughly 15–20 minutes) and picking up the Merseyrail Northern Line back into central Liverpool is the more reliable option — trains run frequently and don't surge-price.

By car: A full road closure remains in place for 15–30 minutes after the final whistle. If you're in Stanley Park car park, you're not going anywhere for at least 20–30 minutes post-whistle. Sit in the car, put the radio on, and leave when the stewards open the exits. Trying to force your way out early just means you sit in grid-locked residential streets instead. Head back on the M62 via Queens Drive.

By rideshare: Road closures will be in place before and after kick-off — the road closures begin again shortly before the final whistle and remain in place for 15–20 minutes. Drivers can't get close, so don't stand outside the ground staring at your phone. Walk 10 minutes towards Walton Road or County Road before requesting your ride — you'll get a pick-up faster and the surge will be meaningfully lower once you're clear of the immediate stadium cordon.

Opinionated tip: Wait 15 minutes after the final whistle, walk to Kirkdale, and take the Merseyrail. It's the cleanest exit from Goodison, full stop.

What's the easiest way to get to Goodison Park from Liverpool city centre?

Buses are frequent and convenient, with express services that get you to Goodison Park from Liverpool city centre in around 15 minutes. Services 19, 20, 21, 310, and 345 run from Queen Square Bus Station. On matchdays, service 919 runs directly from Commutation Row.

What is the nearest train station to Goodison Park?

The closest station is Kirkdale on the Northern Line, roughly one mile from the stadium. From Liverpool Lime Street, walk to Liverpool Central and take the Northern Line to Kirkdale.

Is there a matchday shuttle bus? Yes. On Premier League and cup match days, the Soccerbus connects Sandhills Station to Goodison Park. When purchasing your train ticket, request 'Goodison Park' as an add-on for only £3 for a round-trip fare.

What is the Goodison Park bag policy?

Small, personal bags (handbag, medical bag) are permitted, but bags exceeding A5 size are not. There is no bag storage facility at Goodison Park. Leave anything large at your hotel.

How much does parking cost at Goodison Park?

There is no stadium car park, but Stanley Park car park nearby costs £10 per car. Street parking in surrounding roads is heavily enforced and not worth the risk.

Where do away fans sit at Goodison Park?

The away supporters' section is located on Bullens Road and can be accessed through turnstiles 53–60.

What time do the gates open?

Turnstiles open 90 minutes before kick-off. Arrive early — searches can cause queues.

Is Goodison Park cashless?

Yes — Goodison Park is a cashless stadium accepting all major debit and credit cards. Matchday programmes cost £4.00 and can only be purchased with cash from vendors outside the stadium.