| LIVERPOOL is gearing up for a ‘Super Saturday’ of events and people are being urged to plan their journey with care and allow more time to get in and out of the city. On Saturday 1 November, a series of events will be taking place throughout the day and into the evening, each bringing large numbers of people into Liverpool City Centre. They are: The Rugby League Ashes series game at Hill Dickinson stadium at 2:30pm Gladiators Live at the M&S Bank Arena at 11:30am and 5:30pm River of Light around the waterfront from 5pm – 10pm Liverpool FC are also playing Aston Villa in a Premier League match at Anfield, kicking off at 8pm. England v Australia Rugby League Ashes at Hill Dickinson stadium (2:30pm) Hill Dickinson Stadium is hosting the historic return of Rugby League’s Ashes series between England and Australia. Attendees are urged to give themselves plenty of time, plan ahead, and make use of the extensive public transport network that includes: Rail: Sandhills Station is the closest Merseyrail stop, with additional entrances and crowd management systems in place. Moorfields and Bank Hall stations are also within walking distance and offer alternatives to avoid congestion. Walking, Scooter & Cycling: The stadium is easily accessible on foot or by bike from the city centre, with safe walking routes and cycle parking available. Cyclists and scooter riders should dismount within road closures. To protect local communities and reduce congestion, strict parking controls are enforced around the stadium when there is an event taking place. A Match Parking Zone covering a 30-minute walk radius from the stadium is in effect, and permit-only parking will be in effect, with enforcement teams active throughout the day. No matchday parking is available at the stadium itself. Fans driving into Liverpool are advised to use city centre car parks or key transport hubs and connect via shuttle buses or trains. Blue Badge holders can park for as long as they need to in permit parking areas but will need to clearly display their badge, not cause an obstruction on the road, and avoid ‘no loading/unloading’ restricted areas. More information is available on Everton FC’s official travel hub at https://www.evertonfc.com/season-25-26/travel-hub/ or via Merseyrail at https://www.merseyrail.org/rugby-league-ashes-england-v-australia-travel-information/. Gladiators Live at the M&S Bank Arena (11:30am and 5:30pm) Featuring the new stars of the UK TV series Gladiators, this spectacular, high-octane two-hour show – including all the fan-favourite events – is expected to attract thousands of people. The venue is easily accessible on foot and a short walk from city centre railway stations. More information is available at https://www.mandsbankarena.com/visiting-us/getting-here/. River of Light (5pm – 10pm) The River of Light installations, which are dotted around a 3km route – including the Royal Albert Dock, the Pier Head, Exchange Flags and Liverpool ONE – will be open late until 10pm to give people attending other events the chance to enjoy them. The nearest Merseyrail stations to River of Light are Moorfields (Wirral and Northern Line) and James Street (Wirral Line). For National Rail, Liverpool Lime Street Station is approximately a 15-minute walk to the Liverpool waterfront, or visitors can utilise the Merseyrail underground service to travel to James Street or Moorfields by rail. Plan your journey in advance and refer to the Merseytravel website for the most up to date travel information. The full list of River of Light artworks, their locations, opening times and handy FAQs can be found on the River of Light website and latest information can be found at @visitliverpool (X, Facebook and TikTok) or @visitliverpool_ (Instagram). Road closures will be in place at the Pier Head, with limited vehicle access for businesses, residents, workers, and disabled parking via St Nicholas Place from 6pm – 10pm. There will be no access via Brunswick St (exit only). There will also be a road closure in place at the entrance to The Royal Albert Dock (Salthouse Quay) from 6pm – 10pm. Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Super Saturday is a hugely exciting day for the city, and it will provide an incredible boost to the economy with visitors spending money in bars, restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality venues. “Whether you’re a fan of rugby, football, Gladiators, or the biggest free art show in the country – we’re looking forward to welcoming you for a brilliant day in our amazing city. “We are very used to dealing with major events in Liverpool and lots of planning has taken place, but we want people to be prepared, allow extra time for their journeys, and use public transport where possible. “We know that people may decide to stay in the city centre for River of Light, which is why we are extending it until 10pm, to allow more time for people to take part in the trail.” Liverpool North Local Policing Superintendent, Tony Fairhurst, said: “Drawing on our experience in managing large-scale events, we have planned thoroughly for this busy day in Liverpool alongside Liverpool City Council. I hope everyone attending has a fantastic time and makes the most of all the city has to offer. “If you notice an enhanced police presence, there’s nothing to worry about. Feel free to talk to our officers and if you see anything that doesn’t feel right, please tell staff or let us know straight away. Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously via the website gov.uk/ACT. In an emergency, always call 999.” Stephen Dodd, Chief Operating Officer at Merseyrail, said: “We’re excited to welcome fans travelling on Merseyrail to the events across Liverpool City Centre Saturday, 1 November 2025, including the Rugby League Ashes at Hill Dickinson Stadium. “We’ll be running enhanced services, including a 15-minute timetable on key lines before and after the game. Sandhills is the nearest station, just a 15-minute walk from the stadium, with a fan management zone in place to help people move through safely and efficiently. “Fans arriving at Lime Street can take a short five-minute walk to Liverpool Central for connections to Sandhills. Please plan ahead, allow extra time, and check the Journey Planner on the Merseyrail website before travelling.” Faye Dyer, CEO of The ACC Liverpool Group, which operates the M&S Bank Arena, said: “Liverpool truly comes alive on days like this, and we’re proud to be part of such a vibrant line-up of events. “With Gladiators Live bringing thousands of families and fans to the waterfront, we’re working closely with city partners to make sure everyone has a fantastic and safe experience. We’d encourage visitors to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and enjoy everything our city has to offer throughout this exciting ‘Super Saturday’.” |
Aerial view of liverpool's illuminated cityscape at dusk, showcasing the vibrant waterfront and historic docks
