On Saturday, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium will play host to the second game of the Rugby League Ashes series, with England facing Australia. It is the first non-football event at the new stadium, and kicks off at 2:30 pm GMT.
The Rugby League Ashes series dates back to 1908, when the name was adopted from cricket for the inaugural contest, and it traditionally has been held every 2 or 3 years with Great Britain playing Australia. But with the Aussies winning every iteration since 1973, interest soured, with no competition since 2003, when Australia romped the series 3-0.
The Ashes Test Series was set to return in 2020 but became a victim of the Covid pandemic. So in its modern form, for the first time in 22 years, it’s now billed as England vs Australia, best of three, with the tourists winning strongly last weekend at Wembley Stadium.
Hill Dickinson Stadium was always the number one choice when it came to picking a stadium in the North West.
“We felt we needed a big stadium in the North, and the North West is blessed with stadiums, and then the obvious one was Everton,” said Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial.
“We got a warm reception from the club at the time, and we were able to agree to the terms. It was a pretty easy process, really, in terms of shortlisting the stadiums because they were number one on the list for us.
“We could see that the national stadium was available, and we wanted to go to Headingley, which gave us some opportunities in the North West.
“With Everton being a new stadium in the North West, we felt we were in a good place, with a strong proposition to approach Everton and ask the question if they would be interested in hosting a rugby league game.
“A brand new stadium, nobody had been there before and no history there, and clearly a jewel in the crown for the city of Liverpool as well. We were very keen to ask the question in the first instance and once it was a warm response, we were very keen to get it locked in.
“Tickets went on sale; 52,000 got sold and the majority of it was done in the reserved window before being on sale for a couple of hours in the day on general sale.
“We are in a very fortunate position where we are turning people away this week. People are now realising the game is at Everton.”
“We are very privileged and very proud to come to Liverpool on Saturday, and we promise we will put on a very good event.
“The [people at the] stadium have been excellent to deal with. I appreciate they have had to work really hard to get the stadium open in the first place and get the football matches going.
“I like to think that people will make a day of it in Liverpool and a day out in Liverpool. Come early and experience the waterfront and then have a walk up to the stadium.
“Then take the stadium in, and we are expecting the crowd to be in the stadium from 1 pm onwards, rather than it being close to kick-off because they will want to take it all in.”
If you didn’t get a ticket but still want to watch the action or just witness the spectacle of the new stadium in a different role, coverage starts on BBC One, the iPlayer, and TNT Sports at 2 pm.
Reader Comments (47)
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Mark Murphy
1 Posted
30/10/2025 at
13:47:05
I’ve had my ticket for months and I’m looking forward to it immensely, especially as I will be sat next to a certain Mr Daniel O’Neill who has asked me to explain what the actual is going on on the pitch.
Decent seats in the West Stand level to the try line (I’ll explain later Danny) and it will make a pleasant change enjoying the experience without the usual match nerves.
I really don’t care who wins but I’m expecting an Australian romp — they are so much better than “we” are. Hopefully there’ll be some Aussie fans around us — they are always good company and good for friendly banter.
I’ll be up again a week later for the Fulham game but for now I’m excited for this occasion. The last time I saw the touring Kangaroos was when Ellery Hanley and Great Britain beat them at Wembley.
Jim Bennings
2 Posted
30/10/2025 at
13:57:46
I don’t like it to be honest.
I understand the need for revenue and everything else but rugby at football grounds I just don’t like. I never liked seeing Old Trafford with all of those markings after the rugby had been there, but hey ho.
Michael Kenrick
3 Posted
30/10/2025 at
13:58:32
I normally delete anything and everything to do with Rugby League, Mark, as it is anathema to me and the ethos of the website.
But here I am jerking the knee and twiching as I not only have to read this stuff but write the lead story also.
Can’t wait for the combined Murphy O’Neill Match Report!
Mike Allison
4 Posted
30/10/2025 at
14:25:37
Does anyone have any insight into what the benefits are to the club from this?
I’m wondering if we know about ticket revenue, matchday spending revenue, hospitality and so on.
Paul Kossoff
5 Posted
30/10/2025 at
14:31:20
Rugby I hate, here’s why.
I was sitting at the bar enjoying a drink by myself when, next thing, the door opened and in walked the most stunning woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. 5′-11” tall, stunning blue eyes, silky blonde hair, an hourglass figure, barely covered by a tiny mini skirt and a flimsy cotton top. I could see she was not wearing a bra, and her incredibly firm breasts were on show.
After watching her walk in I turned back to my beer. No sooner had I taken a sip when I turn to see her pulling another bar stool up close to me and sat down. She said ‘Hi’, and I said ‘Hi’ in return. She asked how I was and took my hand and placed it on her perfect inner thigh, rubbing it up and down.
“So, does that make you feel good?” she asked. “I’ll bet you feel good,” she continued. “In fact, I’ll bet you’ve never felt this good before.”
“Well, I have,” I corrected her. “You see, when I was 17, I was picked to play for the school 1st XV in the National School Finals in front of a crowd of about 3,000 and I felt really good.”
I immediately felt a bit pathetic saying that and I thought she would get up and go. But she took my hand off her thigh and put it up the front of her top. Her nipple pushed into my palm as she massaged my hand into her pert, perfect breast.
“How do you feel now?” she purred.
“Okay,” I replied. Again, she said, “I’ll bet you do. In fact, I’ll bet you’ve never felt this good before!”
Unbelievably, I heard myself saying, “Well, actually, I have. In that game, we were down by 6 points with about 20 seconds left in the match. The opposition kicked the ball deep into our half of the field, where I caught it. I ran up field, side-stepping past the first few defenders, handed off a couple of would-be tacklers, burst through a few forwards, chipped over their fullback, regathered and scored a try right under the posts with about 2 or 3 seconds ’til full time. We were still behind by 1 point, but I had a simple kick at goal to win the match.”
“Ahhh…” she growled between clenched teeth, more than a bit miffed, pulled my hand from under her top and thrust it down the front of her skirt.
She whispered, “Well, tell me this, Mr Rugby Man: Have you ever felt such a perfect twat?”
“I certainly have,” I answered, “I missed the kick.”
Les Callan
6 Posted
30/10/2025 at
14:57:10
Rugby League is a wonderful game, and far superior to football in every respect. Honesty, endeavour, entertainment, fitness, etc. And I say this as a Blue since 1955.
Very often more excitement in 10 minutes of Rugby League than in 90 minutes of football.
John Williams
7 Posted
30/10/2025 at
15:03:12
I have news for some of you guys, this stadium will be used for all sorts of events, that’s why it was built, not just for football.
The ground will be full of Saints and Wigan supporters, coaches booked weeks ago.
Mark Murphy
8 Posted
30/10/2025 at
15:43:54
Whoa Les! In those aspects you list, certainly!
But as much as I love Rugby League, and the Saints, I’ve never, ever gone through the mill, emotions-wise, as I do every game with Everton.
It’s a great game and it’s good to watch — but it’s not Everton.
Edward Rogers
9 Posted
30/10/2025 at
15:54:09
Here we go…
“Rugby, bah! They’ll be holding concerts and the like next.”
Raymond Fox
10 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:00:20
One or two miserable responses, including Michael.
Don’t watch it if you don’t like, its simple enough. It will be bringing more revenue to the club, what’s not to like?
As far as the result is concerned, I’m afraid the Aussies will be too good for us again.
Steve Boardman
11 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:10:45
I’ve also had my tickets for months and really looking forward to the match.
I am a lifelong blue and saw my first game at Goodison in 1960 and only a late convert to Rugby League (as a Wire). I agree with Les that Rugby League has far more integrity and endeavour but nothing puts me through the emotional turmoil as the Toffees.
Les Callan
12 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:12:16
Yes Mark @ 8, I’m with you there.
No comparison emotionally.
Sean Mitchell
13 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:21:43
It’s revenue and all eyes will be on our new stadium.
What’s not to like? I’m no rugby fan. But I’ll be watching this.
Andy Crooks
14 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:28:53
I have no knowledge of rugby league (or union) but I think it’s great that it’s in our new stadium.
Forward thinking, innovative and giving our club publicity. What’s not to like?
Pete Neilson
15 Posted
30/10/2025 at
16:37:22
Both Union and League were played at Goodison many moons ago. The Heritage Society covered the history:
Rugby Links at Goodison
Brent Stephens
16 Posted
30/10/2025 at
17:24:54
Michael #3,
I think you did well to initiate this news piece. It’s about good news for the Everton stadium and indirectly (future income etc) about good news for Everton. Looking forward to going Saturday.
Liam Mogan
17 Posted
30/10/2025 at
18:33:13
I live in Yorkshire and know quite a few people who are going to this game. They are looking forward to visiting the new stadium and the city.
Anything that raises the profile of the ground, attracts people and helps the growing business scene down there is good news imo. Only curmudgeons can object. Rugby is not for me (scarred at school) but I hope this is the start of the ground/club hosting events outside football. My only concern is potential damage to the surface.
Paul Kernot
18 Posted
30/10/2025 at
19:57:59
Let’s face it, this is the real reason the Friedkin’s bought Everton. Clearly not that interested in the football but the revenue potential from the new stadium. //
Meanwhile, when I arrived in New Zealand over 30 years ago, the first thing I watched on TV was the Aussie State of Origin game. It was mental. A full-on battle with both teams hammering the shit out of each other. What a laugh.
By the way, the video ref simply decides a) if a ball was actually grounded properly and b) whether a player was offside. Not much else. The ref makes all the other decisions and gets on with the game. Remember those days?
Sean Kelly
19 Posted
30/10/2025 at
20:03:54
Paul Kossoff classic
Derek Thomas
20 Posted
30/10/2025 at
21:07:42
This Rhodri Jones guy certainly talks up his (for England a minority sport) employers very well, ‘knows the cries’ as is said.
As we’re a bit of a ‘minority’ in Premier League terms, he seems like the sort of on the ball type it would do our Commercial Department no harm to hire.
Mike Gaynes
21 Posted
30/10/2025 at
21:21:44
Paul #18, of course they bought the club for the revenue. Not just the stadium but the club, and not just the football but the marketing.
But I believe they will be very interested in the football, because they will have learned that buying a great club out of impending financial disaster and making it a winner again can be very, very profitable.
Fenway Sports Group paid $380 million to drag the RS away from the Hicks/Gillette precipice. The club is now worth $5.4 billion according to Forbes. That’s an 18X return on investment in 14 years.
You can bet TFG wants to do just what FSG did. But to do that, you have to win games. And silverware. They know that. So they will invest.
Derek Knox
22 Posted
30/10/2025 at
22:31:44
Mark M, and Danny, when I was in the Royal Navy, one ship I was on, there was this Geordie lad (bit of a comedian).
He said of Rugby: “If you were supposed to pick the ball up and run with it, they’d have put a fookin handle on it!” 🙂
Mark Murphy
23 Posted
30/10/2025 at
23:13:25
Derek, The day I listen to a Geordies view on anything is the day I move into sheltered accommodation.
Dale Self
24 Posted
30/10/2025 at
23:28:36
Agreed Sean, TW comes through again.
Thanks Paul!
Les Callan
25 Posted
30/10/2025 at
23:36:44
He’s probably talking about Rugby Union, Mark!
Peter Moore
26 Posted
31/10/2025 at
00:56:07
Paul (5), A right riveting read.
Great that we have the honour of hosting this international event at our new ground.
Onwards and upwards, on and off the park. NSNO.
Eric Myles
27 Posted
31/10/2025 at
01:35:51
Paul #18, I thought the ref still makes those decisions? The video ref just plays back the moves for him. In Union anyway but I’m fairly sure after arguing this with a League man I found a link that confirmed it.
Yep, found it but as a screenshot. The TMO is an advisory role and does not have the power to overule a ref decision. It’s to complement the refs expertise, not overule it.
Matt Smith
28 Posted
31/10/2025 at
03:35:43
Go the Kangaroos.
For those attending, keep an eye on the Aussie fullback Reece Walsh.
He’s in a purple patch ATM after almost single handedly winning the grand final and then scoring 2 tries at Wembley the other day.
Liam #17 totally agree. And you will get some die-hard Aussies that will travel to see this game. Has to be a lift for the local economy.
Wayne Dinkelman
29 Posted
31/10/2025 at
04:23:34
All I know is that as an Aussie and having 2 Canberra Raiders players on tour which is the team I support and having seen them post a photo outside anfield with goody bags and videos at the shite game they are as good as dead to me…
Derek Thomas
30 Posted
31/10/2025 at
06:49:28
Wayne @ 29; hopefully they and any other misguided RSs all went to watch the Palace game
Paul Hewitt
31 Posted
31/10/2025 at
07:04:40
The greatest sport in a great stadium.
What’s not to like?
Mark Murphy
32 Posted
31/10/2025 at
07:24:24
Les, my old dad used to say Union was the only sport in which the ball spent more time in the crowd than on the pitch!
Tony Abrahams
34 Posted
31/10/2025 at
08:45:06
I’d have definitely bought a ticket for this game if England were playing The All Blacks, in a Rugby Union game.
Hopefully everyone enjoys the day, and England can make a real game of it.
Mick O’Malley
35 Posted
31/10/2025 at
09:13:11
Paul Hewitt,
Agreed, I absolutely love this sport, the physicality, I’m really looking forward to this, I’d watch Rugby League above any football match except Everton of course.
Let’s hope we turn up this week cos the Aussies were on a different level last week.
Dave Abrahams
36 Posted
31/10/2025 at
09:15:37
Mark (32)
The ball spends a lot of time in the scrum downs as well — that’s when the referee gets them to scrum down properly,
Rugby League is far more open to watch and is predominantly played in the North of England, don’t know why it never took off down South.
Eric Myles
37 Posted
31/10/2025 at
10:12:48
Probably ‘cos Union was invented darn South, Dave, and they don’t want any of those pesky oiks from up North spoiling it for them like they did with ‘gentlemen’s’ soccer.
So they just don’t field teams that can be humiliated. Southern Jessies!
Brian Harrison
39 Posted
31/10/2025 at
10:34:48
Well you can be sure if any of these lads are in need of a trainer, then they will be genuinely injured. They won’t be rolling about as if they have been shot.
Paul Hewitt
40 Posted
31/10/2025 at
10:39:39
Brian,
I would like football to do what rugby does. Allow the physio on but the game keeps going. That would stop players faking injury.
Eric Myles
41 Posted
31/10/2025 at
11:27:14
Paul H, better still, player injured, off the field for 5 minutes for assessment etc. HSE and all that. No subs.
It seems to work in rugby ‘cos the play goes away from the injured player, dunno why? But a football is more mobile than a rugby ball so someone could just kick it towards the injured player and then what happens?
James Hughes
42 Posted
31/10/2025 at
11:32:26
Rugby Union originated from the grammar school in Warwickshire, not down south.
Rugby League was formed as the players wanted paying and the union committe was adamant that it was an ‘amateur’ game. So they got rid of the locks and reduced the scrum, to get round any legal challenge.
Link
Eric Myles
43 Posted
31/10/2025 at
11:37:11
James, what part of UK are you from that Warwickshire is not down South?
I love the Geordie definition of down South. When you pass over the Tyne Bridge there’s a road sign that says “South”.
So us Sousers are Southerners!
Mark Murphy
44 Posted
31/10/2025 at
12:20:58
Slightly on a tangent here but, if footballers had to go off the field for 5 minutes for an injury assessment, it would soon stop the pathetic rolling around in agony every time they are brushed slightly by an opponent.
Tony Abrahams
45 Posted
31/10/2025 at
12:25:39
I understand what both Paul and Eric, are saying, especially because I’d love to see real cheating eradicated from the game of football, but I think what Eric proposes might not actually help a team when one of their players has been fouled unfairly and isn’t actually trying to cheat.
Imagine it, Mark. You play for Everton so you must naturally be cheating, but you play for one of the big boys so you obviously must be hurt,
John Williams
46 Posted
31/10/2025 at
12:46:26
I have to agree with Gary Neville, players are now wasting more time over throw-ins.
Brentford goalie gets penalised for holding onto the ball too long and the Reds are awarded a corner.
Okay, you can add time on but the player is still breaking up the play.
Ryan Holroyd
47 Posted
31/10/2025 at
16:52:27
Will the mega store be open tomorrow?
Alan J Thompson
48 Posted
01/11/2025 at
09:46:20
I’ve seen several News programmes here in Oz showing the “Kangaroos”, the Oz RL team, training at Hill Dickerson Stadium and in none of it does the name Everton exist and even in the previous “Test” it was just referred to as being in Liverpool. Could we not even have had blue and white seats spelling out EVERTON or just the name appearing somewhere in the stadium, not one word! Improved management, would the last Theatrical Entrepreneur have missed such an opportunity!?! Pathetic!
Paul Hewitt
49 Posted
01/11/2025 at
10:43:33
If everything goes well, maybe they could have the magic weekend or grand final here every year.
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