Everton’s New Stadium to Host Historic Rugby League Ashes Test
Everton’s soon-to-be-unveiled Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium isn’t even officially open yet, and it already has a date with history. In a move that symbolises how modern stadiums must now serve as cultural hubs rather than single-sport shrines, the new 53,000-seater will host the second test in the 2025 Rugby League Ashes series between England and Australia. The match is scheduled for 1 November and is already being framed as one of the most iconic sporting events Liverpool will see in the next decade.
The Rugby League Ashes Returns
The Rugby League Ashes – once a crown jewel in the calendar – returns after more than 20 years in cold storage. For context, the last time England and Australia clashed in a formal Ashes test series was in 2003. The revival of this transcontinental rivalry marks a statement of ambition from the Rugby Football League and a renewed hunger for cross-code recognition.
Ashes Schedule:
First Test: Wembley Stadium
Second Test: Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool
Third Test: Headingley, Leeds
This three-match series is being framed not only as a revival but as a reintroduction to a generation that has grown up without it.
What This Means for Everton
The club has made no secret of its desire to make the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium a world-class destination beyond football. With the rugby world now booking a headline event at the venue, Everton’s gamble on infrastructure is starting to look like a masterstroke.
The symbolism of the event is massive. A historically blue stadium, forged in the heartland of English football, will welcome a bruising, blood-and-thunder test match between two of rugby’s biggest names. It confirms the stadium’s status not just as a Premier League venue, but a national sporting asset.
A Win for the City
For Liverpool, the economic and reputational gains are clear. An international test brings in travelling fans, media attention, and a surge of energy to the local economy. For local hotels, pubs, and transport services, this single date in the calendar already looks like a bumper weekend.
It also reinforces Liverpool’s identity as a multi-sport city. Though football remains its dominant cultural force, the inclusion of elite rugby league adds another string to its bow.
The Bigger Picture
The Ashes test at Bramley-Moore Dock isn’t just about one night of rugby. It’s about the changing face of modern sport. Stadiums must now host pop concerts, NFL experiments, esports finals — and yes, historic rugby rivalries.
Everton’s decision to open its doors to such events signals its future ambitions: more than just a football club, more than just a new stadium. This is about legacy, about cultural integration, and about the club’s place in the broader sporting world.
Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium hosting the Rugby League Ashes is more than just a novelty. It’s a moment of synergy — between sports, cities, cultures, and eras. One of the UK’s most traditional football clubs is now helping resurrect one of rugby’s most iconic rivalries.
And that, in itself, is a victory before a ball has even been kicked or passed.