Stefan Borson drops strong verdict on Everton stadium expansion after architect's reveal

Everton are unlikely to increase the capacity of their new stadium despite prospective owner Dan Friedkin reportedly wanting to add more seats.

That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider there has to be a balance to ensure the stadium is always full.

Everton are set to move into their new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of the 2025-26 season, with test events to be held in the new year.

The Athletic reported on 25 October there have been “whispers” The Friedkin Group, which has agreed a takeover deal with owner Farhad Moshiri, might want to increase the size of the state-of-the-art ground.

The news outlet said there is some scope to expand the east side of the £750million, 52,888-seater stadium if there is “genuine demand” for it.

But in an interview with the Everton Fan Advisory Board on 23 October the stadium’s architect Dan Meis revealed there wasn’t space to build a bigger facility and it would be “challenging” to expand the capacity.

Everton won’t make any changes to new stadium capacity

Borson insisted he doesn’t believe any changes will be made to the stadium after hearing from the architect about the potential issues.

“I don’t think they are going to change the stadium,” Borson told Football Insider.

“I think those stories are not quite right.

“There is a really interesting interview on YouTube with the Everton stadium architect, who talks about this issue quite specifically.

“It was only recorded in the last week or so and he dispels any idea that they could easily increase the capacity of the stadium.

“But moreover, he said that actually there probably wasn’t space to build a bigger stadium on the site, so it’s not just a case of not having the foresight when they were planning it, but actually it wasn’t possible, according to the architect.

“They clearly had considered the right size stadium and he makes a very good point that you have got to try and get the capacity to a level where you think you will at all times sell every seat in the stadium.

“You don’t want a stadium that’s oversized and, therefore, you have got to get that balance right of always getting the stadium capacity to match demand, such that you have got a full stadium and high levels of demand for those tickets.

“I think the stadium as it is will be a big success for Everton, but it won’t be redeveloped before it’s even open.”

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The post Stefan Borson drops strong verdict on Everton stadium expansion after architect's reveal appeared first on Football Insider.