Meanwhile, inside the stadium LED floodlights, secured within the rafters of the four stands, are now operational as commissioning commences.

The pitch was rolled and compacted for the final time on Thursday, ahead of grass seeding commencing today (Friday 25 October).

Everton Stadium will have a world-class hybrid SIS grass surface in place by the time test events commence in early 2025.

Tiering up of the surface has been taking place since August, when waterproof membranes were initially rolled out to provide a barrier for the top-level work.

A fusion-welded liner then formed a watertight base level, before a layered drainage system was installed to allow for water storage, for irrigation and use in the toilets.

A gravel layer followed, to aid drainage and provide a robust cover to avoid damaging the drainage system.

Atop this, undersoil heating pipes were laid in rows, then the lower and upper rootzones to provide a bed for the grass seeding.

Specialised machinery will shortly arrive to stitch synthetic fibres into the roots of the grass to strengthen them. These fibres, covering around 5% of the playing surface, are designed to interlock with the growing grass to provide stability, strength and longevity for the hard-wearing, hybrid SIS grass surface.

Work is due to be completed on the construction of Everton Stadium later this year.

The stadium will host its first competitive fixture in August 2025.

Everton Stadium Lit Up In Blue

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