Everton Football Club is proud to confirm that Hill Dickinson Stadium will host an international rugby union fixture this summer, as Fiji take on England in the Nations Championship on Saturday 11 July 2026.
The match will see Mick Byrne’s Flying Fijians face England in what promises to be a spectacular occasion at Everton’s world-class waterfront home. The fixture forms part of Fiji’s inaugural Nations Championship campaign, with the Pacific nation choosing to stage its designated home fixtures in the Northern Hemisphere.
Kick-off for the historic fixture is scheduled for 2:10pm (BST), with the match to be broadcast live on ITV1 in the UK.
The Nations Championship will begin in July 2026, with Fiji facing Wales in Cardiff before travelling to Merseyside to meet England, ahead of a third fixture against Scotland at Murrayfield.
The event will transform Hill Dickinson Stadium into a celebration of Fijian culture and heritage. As a designated home fixture for Fiji, supporters can expect vibrant fan zones featuring traditional music, food, dance and cultural performances, creating an authentic atmosphere and a unique matchday experience for fans in Liverpool and beyond.
Angus Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer at Everton Football Club, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Fiji and England to Hill Dickinson Stadium for what will be a landmark international occasion.
“Our new stadium was built to host world-class sport and entertainment, and this fixture is another powerful statement of its status as a global events venue. To see an international rugby match of this calibre staged here so soon after opening reflects our ambition and the confidence event organisers have in our facilities and the city region.
“We look forward to working closely with Fiji Rugby to create a spectacular celebration of their culture, while showcasing Liverpool and our stadium to a worldwide audience.”
For Fiji Rugby, hosting the match in England represents a historic commercial opportunity, with revenues generated set to be reinvested into grassroots rugby, player welfare, women’s rugby and high-performance programmes in Fiji. The fixture is part of Fiji’s wider strategy to strengthen its long-term competitiveness while maintaining High Performance Union status.
Mr Koli Sewabu, CEO of Fiji Rugby Union, shared his excitement ahead of the tournament. He said: “‘As this constitutes a home match away from Fiji, we will be bringing Fiji to you – and ensuring that you will feel a very different atmosphere – with the tropics, fun and sun, and spectacular free-flowing rugby.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in a fantastic stadium and we know we will be well supported.
“It’s also a great opportunity to raise the profile of Fijian rugby, showcase our culture, and connect with our diaspora and fans from the Northern Hemisphere. The success of these fixtures will enable us to invest more into grassroots rugby supporting the continued growth and success of the team.”
Bill Sweeney, Rugby Football Union CEO, added: “We are pleased to be taking the England men’s team to the North West to play Fiji at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium; a fantastic new venue that is fitting for the inaugural year of the Nations Championship.
“The Nations Championship delivers more meaningful, high-stakes fixtures that will energise existing fans and attract new audiences. Hosting this fixture in a new stadium will only add to this. As this will be Fiji’s home fixture in the Nations Championship, I have no doubt that their supporters will create a brilliant atmosphere, alongside the England supporters.”
With high-profile international encounters scheduled across iconic venues, the visit of Fiji and England to Hill Dickinson Stadium underlines Everton’s and the Liverpool City Region’s growing reputation as a year-round destination for global sport.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Fiji and England to Hill Dickinson Stadium this summer. Bringing a major international fixture like this to Liverpool is brilliant news for our region – not just for rugby fans, but for local businesses too.
“We know what these big occasions can do. They fill our hotels, our restaurants and our pubs, and they put money back into the local economy. Just as importantly, they showcase Liverpool to a global audience as a city that knows how to host world-class sport.
“It is likely that those visitors will return time and again to enjoy the warmth of our welcome and the unparalleled visitor experience.”
Since opening in August 2025, Hill Dickinson Stadium has already hosted the Rugby League Ashes and will welcome Rugby League’s Magic Weekend in the summer, while also preparing to stage international football fixtures including Scotland v Ivory Coast in March as part of their respective World Cup preparations. Everton’s home has also been confirmed as a host stadium for UEFA EURO 2028 and is currently shortlisted as part of the UK bid process for the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup – underlining its status as a global sporting destination.
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, added: “We are delighted to be hosting the Fiji v England Nations Championship match this summer, adding to an ever-increasing line-up of prestigious global sporting events in our city.
“The fixture will not only give rugby fans the unique opportunity to enjoy a taste of authentic Fijian culture here in Liverpool, but it will once again boost our visitor economy and, in turn, bring longer-term benefits to our people and communities.
“It’s also another fantastic chance to cement our reputation as a city that delivers world-class events on a global stage – we are looking forward to welcoming the players, teams, and supporters to Liverpool in July for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.”
Tickets will be available from £25 for adults and £10 for juniors, with demand expected to be high.
Everton Season Ticket Members, Premium Members and Forever Blue Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets during an exclusive priority window which opens at 10.00am on Tuesday 3 March and closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday 4 March. Eligible Members will be contacted directly with full details.
Non-Everton Members are encouraged to register here to receive a special link once priority access opens. All remaining tickets will go on general sale on Thursday 5 March.
Premium experiences in Hill Dickinson Stadium’s bars and restaurants will also be available for the fixture via Seat Unique, with more details to follow.