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'Another step forward' - Liverpool confirm major stadium decision from next season
Liverpool have decided on a new home for their women's team - with Matt Beard's side set to relocate to St Helens next season.
The Reds have played their home games at Prenton Park, the stadium of League Two side Tranmere Rovers, since 2018. However, the ECHO reported in March that a move away from Birkenhead was a possibility and the club have now confirmed that they will make the switch to the St Helens' Stadium next term after agreeing a ten-year lease with the rugby league club.
It is understood talks took place over continuing at Tranmere beyond the this summer, when the current partnership is due to expire. Liverpool also visited several other sites before striking up a deal with the Saints and made the decision in consultation with players, staff, fans via the club’s Supporters Board and fan surveys.
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The 18,000-capacity stadium was opened in 2012 and has previously played host to European games for the Reds' Academy teams. The move is being viewed huge positive step forward in the progress of the women’s team, with a brand-new high-performance Premier League standard pitch being laid, enhanced and exclusive use player facilities and an improved matchday experience for supporters.
The stadium will continue to be home and property of St. Helens R.F.C., with the men’s and women’s Rugby League teams also benefitting from the pitch upgrade. With the Rugby League season running from February through to September, LFC Women will have sole occupancy of the stadium for almost half the season.
The team will also enjoy having their own bespoke dressing room for the very first time, and the red stadium will be revamped for home games, including the addition of the club crest and other significant branding.
Susan Black, Liverpool FC’s Director of Communications and Liverpool FC Women Executive Director, said: “This is another step forward for our women’s first team and we’re so excited to relocate to a new long-term home. Our players and incredible supporters were at the forefront of our decision-making process. We are confident St Helens will be a great matchday home and will look and feel part of the Liverpool family.
“We would like to place on record our great thanks to Mark Palios and the wider team at Tranmere Rovers for their great support over six seasons at Prenton Park on a matchday and of course at The Campus.”
“As founding members of the Women’s Super League, we want to continue the work we’ve put in place and continue to progress in the league both on and off the pitch. Our next chapter for our women’s first team is about building solid foundation stones and today’s matchday venue announcement is another positive step forward on our journey.”
LFC Women manager Matt Beard said: “This is the exciting next chapter on our journey, and I’m absolutely delighted with this investment from the club.
“At the heart of this move are the two most important groups at the club, the players and the fans. The players will have a wonderful new pitch and facilities to enjoy while the match day experience for the supporters will be so much improved.
“We’ve built up a loyal following at Prenton Park and we look forward to welcoming them to St Helens along with hopefully opening up the women’s game to many new supporters as well.”
Eamonn McManus, Chairman of St. Helens R.F.C. welcomed Liverpool FC Women to their home ground stating: “We are delighted to welcome LFC Women and their supporters to our stadium for their home games starting next season.
“The arrangement will provide St. Helens R.F.C. with a new state-of-the-art pitch, as well as additional income streams for our Club
“Liverpool FC is a world-renowned football club and sporting institution and LFC Women are a leading participant in the rapidly growing Women’s Super League. It is high profile recognition that our stadium and its facilities meet the ever-increasing requirements of this prestigious competition.”
David Hutchinson, General Manager of St. Helens R.F.C. said: "We are very proud to have secured this partnership with Liverpool FC Women at a time when women's sport is at a pivotal stage in its growth and development.
“This comes at a time when participation, media exposure, and commercial awareness for women's football and rugby are at an all-time high. Hosting Liverpool FC Women will increase visitors to the stadium and offer up fantastic crossover opportunities for both our sports.
“We are very excited to get things underway and thank everyone involved for their hard work in achieving this."
All season ticket holders have been informed of the new venue and will be contacted in the coming weeks about renewing for next season. The LFC Foundation will be expanding their reach and will look to launch projects specifically for the St Helens area to support girls in sport with more funding for community projects.
Liverpool will play their final game at Prenton Park against Manchester United on Sunday. For new enquiries on season tickets for next season, please register your interest here.
