BACA architects unveil 'Floating Fanzone' for Hill Dickinson Stadium

As seen on the Liverpool Echo, Football Ground Guide ... twice, Everton News, and TheToffees.

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Everton FC has always been more than a football club. It is a cornerstone of a community shaped by Liverpool’s maritime legacy. From dockworkers and sailors to shipping families, the city’s nautical history has long been part of the Everton story. Now, with the club’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, surrounded by water and echoing the grandeur of Liverpool’s great ocean liners, fans can celebrate their team in a truly spectacular setting.

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Our vision is to explore how waterfront leisure spaces can reinforce the connection between the stadium, the city, and the maritime identity that has defined Liverpool for generations. The Floating Fanzone is a concept that demonstrates how underused water bodies can become active,inclusive destinations that bring people together and support the long-term regeneration of the northern docks.

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Introducing the Floating Fanzone. Making use of Bramley Moore Dock, the concept proposes a flotilla of floating event spaces, all-weather enclosures, and immersive venues offering live sports screenings and a rich mix of pre and post-match entertainment. There is something for everyone. Spacious outdoor areas with giant screens create dramatic matchday gathering points. Dedicated family zones offer safe and engaging activities, while indoor lounges provide comfortable places to meet and celebrate.

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Visitors can take part in floating bowling competitions,indoor sports challenges, or simply relax in tap rooms and bistros offering both gourmet and traditional pub fare. With a range of dining experiences, interactive games, and fan-focused activities, the Floating Fanzone is designed to offer an unforgettable experience for Evertonians of all ages.‍

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Design Thinking‍

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The concept is arranged around a series of modular floating platforms occupying the central water space of the dock. Each platform is designed to provide shelter, clear views, and generous circulation, allowing visitors to move freely through a sequence of connected experiences. The flexible layout supports a variety of event types and can be adapted seasonally or for specific fixtures.

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Routes across and around the platforms strengthen the approach to the stadium, creating a dramatic water-based arrival sequence that celebrates the scale of Bramley Moore Dock. The design supports crowd safety while encouraging exploration of the waterfront.‍

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Sustainability and Resilience‍

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Floating structures offer an adaptable and low-impact way to activate existing water areas. By reducing the need for new land-based construction, the concept supports efficient use of resources while preserving the dock’s historic character. Modular elements can be reused, relocated, or reconfigured as required, making the proposal both economical and resilient. This reflects our wider work in sustainable waterfront design and the need to plan for long-term environmental change.‍

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What This Means for Liverpool‍

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The Floating Fanzone creates an opportunity to widen public access to Bramley Moore Dock and bring new life to one of Liverpool’s most distinctive waterfront locations. By activating the water both on matchdays and throughout the year, the concept supports local businesses, strengthens tourism, and contributes to the continued revitalisation of the northern docks.‍

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Beyond Matchday‍

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Outside football fixtures, the platforms could host food festivals, community events, open-air cinema, or seasonal attractions. Their flexibility allows them to support a year-round programme that benefits residents as much as match-going supporters.‍

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Future Potential‍

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With the recent news of the stadium hosting eight EURO 2028 matches and the Super League Magic Weekend returning to Everton’s stadium, the Floating Fanzone presents a chance to heighten the already electric atmosphere on an international stage. It shows how Liverpool can continue to innovate at the water’s edge while celebrating the maritime character that defines the city.

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Quote from BACA Director Richard Coutts:

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"At Bramley Moore Dock, we’re taking fan experiences to the next level, literally. We call it ‘Aquatecture’: a flotilla of floating spaces that make the most of the dock’s water. These floating spaces aren’t just cool - they’re clever. They can be built off-site, installed quickly, and be up and running in no time. Maybe in the water in less than a year! Solid, durable, and flexible, they can be updated, repurposed, or moved as needed; making sure the fun doesn’t stop and leaving a legacy for the club and the city.

Even temporary floating spaces can kick start the excitement, drawing fans, investment, and attention while laying the foundation for long-term transformation. In short: the Floating Fanzone is more than just a place to watch football, it’s a game-changing way to experience Everton, the dock, and Liverpool’s waterfront like never before”. 

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Looking Ahead

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We believe this is the beginning of a broader conversation about how Liverpool can shape the future of its waterfront in creative and sustainable ways. We look forward to exploring these opportunities with local partners, stakeholders, and the community.