Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium to host Fiji vs England rugby championship match
Liverpool venue to feature cultural celebrations alongside historic rugby fixture
Everton Football Club has announced that Hill Dickinson Stadium will host an international rugby union fixture as part of the Nations Championship on 11th July 2026.
England will play against Fiji on Saturday, 11th July 2026.
This is Fiji's home fixture in the Northern Hemisphere, with their Nations Championship campaign kicking off with a match against Wales in Cardiff before heading to Merseyside.
A celebration of Fijian culture will accompany the event, with fan zones offering music, food, dance, and cultural performances, promising a unique experience for attendees in Liverpool.
Angus Kinnear, CEO at Everton Football Club, said:
"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.”
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.