Liverpool Football Club has lodged a planning application with Liverpool City Council to change the rules governing when Anfield Stadium can host major concerts, after officials claimed the venue lost out on a “global act” due to current restrictions. The existing regulations require a 31-day window in July during which no events—including football matches—can take place, providing residents with a respite period.
Proposed Changes to Concert Schedule
The club wants to alter the arrangement to allow more flexibility in securing events, potentially permitting shows in July while maintaining a dedicated 31-day block of no events, likely impacting the start of the Premier League season. Mark Worcester, planning agent for the club, said feedback from concert promoters indicated “major demand” for July venues and that under current rules “a global act was unable to play at Anfield, resulting in lost revenue to the city.” He added that Anfield is a popular choice for major global artists, some of whom do not perform at any other venue in the north of England.
History of Concerts at Anfield
Since 2019, Anfield has hosted icons such as Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, and most recently the Foo Fighters and My Chemical Romance in June 2026. The existing rules mean no further events will take place until August 1 at the earliest. The club requires a licence to stage major events outside of football, controlling alcohol sales, noise levels, and timings. Liverpool Council granted permission for up to six non-football events per year in 2018, extended for five seasons in 2021. In total, 21 gigs have been held in the last seven years, with further shows expected in June 2027 and 2028.
Residents’ Concerns
Cllr Portia Fahey, representing the Everton North ward bordering the stadium, told the planning committee that the proposed changes would reduce respite for residents. She said: “If you’re shifting it into mid-July that would essentially widen that calendar for events to take place and it’s not just the six events that may take place, it’s the set up around them as well. It’s the construction noise of building the stage and sound system, it’s the full sound checks you get then taking it down and heavy HGVs taking everything away. The impact is not just these six days, it’s a shortened respite period, it is much longer.” She urged councillors to consider the community and the “significant impact on their lives,” adding: “We want Anfield and we want Everton to be a safe community, we want it to be a thriving community but we want it to be a community where people stay, where people feel comfortable and we want the residents to be the key stakeholders, not the football club.”
Objections from Local Residents
Darryl Shellard, of Tancred Road, which is close to the ground, objected to the committee. He said: “Why as residents are we only allowed to have a 31 day period where there is no activity going on? Who deems that that’s all we’re worth? Why can’t we have the 60 days from the end of the football season in May to the beginning of the football season in August like it used to be? I know things move and change but who determines that’s all we’re worth? Why are we worth only 31 clear days?” He suggested concerts could be held at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium as an alternative and asked: “When do the residents get something back? When do the residents get honoured for what Liverpool Football Club supposedly stands for?”
Decision Deferred
The planning committee deferred the decision, seeking a site visit regarding proposals to permanently close Anfield Road as part of a wider planning application.
