Everton confirm landmark hit for historic Roma match at the new stadium

The first senior game at Everton’s new stadium will be a sell-out.

‌The final tickets for the pre-season friendly against Roma went on general sale on Thursday morning and, by lunchtime, had been snapped up. It means almost 53,000 spectators will watch the historic match between the Blues and their Serie A opponents, sister clubs within the portfolio of owners the Friedkin Group.

That crowd will also have the opportunity to watch a legends match after the first team friendly, with Peter Reid and former England boss Fabio Capello to manage the sides on Saturday, August 9.

The opening senior match on the Liverpool waterfront was always set to be a major occasion. It will be the first time the Blues first team will take part in a fixture at the state-of-the-art arena, David Moyes’ side following in the wake of the club’s Under-18s and Under-21s.

The academy teams took part in the first two test events at the ground, in front of 10,000 then 25,000 supporters. More than double that will now watch the third and final test event scheduled, with the first competitive match to see Brighton visit in the Premier League on Sunday, August 24.

News of the sellout comes with work ongoing to prepare the ground for the new season. The first of four club crests has been installed on the outer walls of the stadium while naming rights partner Hill Dickinson have had their name emblazoned on the roof. The Everton Way, a walkway along the south stand made up of 36,000 commemorative stones, is also nearing completion.