A Strange Choice: Why Euro 2028 Skipping Anfield Feels Wrong

So, it's official: when Euro 2028 comes to Merseyside, the matches will be played not at Anfield — one of football's most iconic grounds — but at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium down on the docks.

Now, I've tried to see the logic. New stadium, shiny facilities, built to UEFA spec — all that. But, honestly, it still feels odd. The idea that Europe's biggest tournament will come to Liverpool and not feature a single game at Anfield is, at best, baffling.

Let's not forget, Anfield has hosted some of the greatest nights in European football history. The place has an atmosphere that's known — and feared — across the continent. Yet somehow, it's been deemed unsuitable for the Euros, while a ground that has hosted under 10 Premier League fixtures gets the nod.

There's also the small matter of logistics. Anyone who's tried to get down to Bramley-Moore knows it's not exactly straightforward. The transport links are... let's say, still a work in progress. Unless UEFA's planning to charter ferries or put on a fleet of bikes, fans might find getting there more of an adventure than they bargained for.

And then there's the social side of things. One of the joys of football in Liverpool is the matchday buzz — the pubs, the atmosphere, the sense of community that builds in the streets around Anfield hours before kickoff. Down by the docks, there's not much of that yet. A couple of cafés, a few cranes, and a lot of concrete. It'll come with time, no doubt, but for now it feels a bit soulless compared to what visitors could have experienced up the road.

Of course, Everton fans will rightly be proud to see their new home on the international stage. It's a big moment for them, and for the city in general. But for many of us, it's hard not to feel that Liverpool's footballing heart — Anfield — has been overlooked for something newer, rather than something better.
When the Euros roll around, the world will see our city in the spotlight, and that's a good thing. But deep down, I can't help thinking that the true home of football on Merseyside will be watching from the sidelines.