The Football Association has announced a notable shift in venue strategy for the England women's national football team, scheduling a crucial Women's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in June. This decision underscores the FA's growing confidence in the commercial and fan appeal of Sarina Wiegman's side, as they aim to build on their European Championship successes and secure a first World Cup title in 2027.
A Step Up in Scale and Ambition
England's final group stage qualifier against Ukraine on 9 June will be held at the 52,700-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium, representing a significant upgrade from recent non-Wembley home fixtures. Previous matches have taken place at smaller grounds such as Southampton's St Mary's Stadium and Derby County's Pride Park, highlighting the FA's intent to leverage larger venues for the Lionesses' growing profile.
Qualifying Campaign Details
The Lionesses' qualifying campaign kicks off with an away match against Ukraine in Antalya next Tuesday, followed by a home game against Iceland at Nottingham Forest's City Ground four days later. The group also includes Spain, a formidable opponent who faced England in both the 2022 European Championship final and the 2023 World Cup final.
Key fixtures include a marquee clash against world champions Spain at Wembley on 14 April, an away match in Iceland four days later, and a visit to Spain on 5 June before the Ukraine finale at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton's Stadium Gains Momentum
Since opening last summer, Hill Dickinson Stadium has emerged as a versatile multi-sport venue. It hosted an England rugby league Ashes Test against Australia in November, has a scheduled rugby union international between Fiji and England in July, and will welcome Scotland for a World Cup warm-up game against Côte d'Ivoire next month.
Additionally, the stadium has been proposed as a potential venue for the UK's bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup, reflecting its growing stature in the sporting landscape.
Context of Women's Football at Everton
Everton Women have been based at Goodison Park this season, attracting the third-highest average attendance in the Women's Super League, trailing only Arsenal and Chelsea. This demonstrates the club's strong support base and the increasing popularity of women's football in the region.
The FA and Everton have both declined to comment on the venue selection, but the move aligns with broader trends of expanding women's football into larger, premier stadiums to accommodate rising interest and attendance figures.
