Everton’s new home to be called the Hill Dickinson Stadium

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Everton Football Club has announced that its new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will be named the Hill Dickinson Stadium, following a major naming rights partnership with the Liverpool-based legal firm.

Hill Dickinson, which has its headquarters in the city and was founded in 1810 — 68 years before Everton was established — has secured the naming rights for the impressive waterfront venue.

While the length and financial terms of the deal haven’t been made public, Everton has described the partnership as “one of the largest stadium naming rights deals in Europe,” suggesting it could be worth approximately £10 million (around $20.7 million AUD) annually.

The deal marks a significant milestone in the club’s move to their new $1.65 billion AUD (£800 million) stadium, as they prepare to leave their historic home at Goodison Park at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The club confirmed the agreement with Hill Dickinson is a “long-term” arrangement.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium will boast a 52,888-seat capacity and is scheduled to officially open in August 2025, in time for the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Test events have already begun at the venue, including a youth match between Everton and Wigan’s under-18 sides — the first football fixture ever held at the new ground.

This naming rights deal not only solidifies the stadium’s identity ahead of its debut season but also reflects the club’s ongoing efforts to align with prominent, locally rooted partners as it enters a new era.

Hill Dickinson chief executive officer Craig Scott explained the importance of this naming rights deal for the club and the city of Liverpool.

“To put our name to Everton’s new stadium is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” Scott said in a press release.

“We believe deeply in what this project stands for – a bold, transformational vision for Liverpool and its future.”

Everton Football Club are still yet to comment officially on the name change.

Whilst the new stadium name is incredibly unpopular amongst the fanbase, the Merseyside club have suffered two separate point deductions and multiple years of financial hardship on and off the pitch which had led to the club making a more financial decision.

As the club heads into next season safely in the Premier League, it has aspirations of using the additional revenue of this stadium and the naming rights deal to once again challenge for the European places, which hasn’t been done in almost a decade.

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Tottenham modernises stadium technology with major IT overhaul

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Tottenham Hotspur has completed a major upgrade of the digital infrastructure that underpins its stadium operations, highlighting the growing importance of technology away from the pitch.

The Premier League club has partnered with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to modernise its IT environment, replacing legacy systems while introducing new networking, automation and connectivity capabilities across Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The project also reduced the club’s virtualisation licensing costs by more than 85 per cent following its migration from VMware to HPE Morpheus software.

While cost savings were one outcome, the wider objective was to simplify how the stadium’s technology is managed.

The upgrade brings networking, servers, storage and virtual infrastructure under a single operating platform. Tottenham is also introducing Wi-Fi 7 throughout the venue, supporting everything from digital ticketing and cashless payments to mobile services and high-density fan connectivity on event days.

The investment reflects the changing role of football stadiums.

Modern venues increasingly serve purposes beyond football. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stages NFL games, concerts and other large-scale events throughout the year, placing increasing pressure on the technology that supports daily operations. Reliable digital infrastructure has become as important as physical infrastructure in delivering those experiences.

Across football, clubs are increasingly viewing technology as an operational asset rather than simply an IT requirement. Investments in automation, connectivity and cloud-based management can improve efficiency behind the scenes while enhancing the experience for supporters inside the stadium.

For Tottenham, the latest upgrade is another step in positioning its stadium as a multi-purpose entertainment venue. It also reflects a broader trend across elite sport, where digital infrastructure is becoming central to matchday operations, commercial activity and long-term venue management.

Active Club Program offers South Australian football clubs a funding boost

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South Australian football clubs can tap into another round of government support, with the Active Club Program offering grants of up to $3,000 to help clubs improve participation and strengthen their local communities. The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) opened its new round of funding on the 28th of August. Clubs have until midday on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 to apply.

The grassroots benefits

The South Australian Government has allocated $1.448 million to the round. Clubs with fewer than 100 members can receive $1,500. Clubs with 100 or more members can receive $3,000. The program targets grassroots sport, including football. It helps clubs purchase equipment and resources that make participation easier and more affordable.

Football clubs can use the funding for sporting equipment, uniforms and protective gear. They can also fund playing venue maintenance equipment, professional development, medical equipment and training. The program also supports projects that improve inclusion. Clubs can use grants for positive health initiatives and hardship subsidies. These measures can help remove barriers that stop people from playing sport.

That focus creates opportunities for football clubs to support more women and girls. It can also help clubs create more welcoming environments for players of different ages and backgrounds. Water and energy efficiency also form part of the program. Clubs can fund eligible initiatives that reduce water use or improve energy efficiency. That could prove particularly valuable for football clubs managing local playing venues and facilities. The program also allows minor club infrastructure upgrades and technology that directly supports participation or club sustainability.

Who is eligible?

To qualify, a club must operate as a not-for-profit sport or active recreation organisation in South Australia. It must have at least 20 members and have operated for at least 12 months.

ORSR will also consider a club’s participation profile when assessing applications. The assessment looks at female and male junior and senior participation, alongside factors such as the club’s affiliation and when it last received Active Club Program funding.

How to apply

The funding can make a direct difference at grassroots level. In the previous round, 558 South Australian clubs shared more than $1.4 million. The government says the investment helped clubs meet essential costs while supporting participation and inclusion.

For football, that support can stretch beyond the playing field. Stronger clubs create more opportunities for players, coaches and volunteers. They also provide places where people can build connections and stay active. Applications for Round 56 will be screened in November, assessed in December, with clubs notified in January 2027.

To learn more about the South Australian Active Club Program, visit their website.

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