Neutral Goodison Park venue forces Preston into early‑season cup test

Preston North End have been forced to host their Carabao Cup First Round tie at Goodison Park on Saturday, August 8, after a summer renovation left Deepdale’s pitch unready, turning the early‑season clash against Huddersfield Town into a rare neutral‑ground test.

The fixture will be played under the looming shadow of Dixie Dean’s statue at Goodison Park, and both clubs are Football League sides, making the relocation a notable neutral setting for the cup encounter.

Deepdale is being resurfaced with a new hybrid pitch, a project that has cost the Lancashire club more than £1.5 million and is expected to be ready for its first home league game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, 22 August.

Preston released an official statement confirming a deal with Everton to host the tie at Goodison Park, with kickoff scheduled for 3 pm. The venue is currently the home of Everton Women and was the men’s first‑team ground until Everton moved ahead of the 2025‑26 season.

The Lilywhites applied to the EFL for permission to play away because of the pitch installation at Deepdale.

Everton relocated to their new stadium at Bramley‑Moore Dock last summer, leaving operational use of Goodison Park to the women’s side. The arrangement gives the 134‑year‑old stadium another evening of senior men’s football before a planned community redevelopment phase begins.

The upcoming Carabao Cup tie will therefore take place at Goodison Park at 3 pm on Saturday, August 8, while Deepdale’s new surface is slated to host its league debut on 22 August against Wolverhampton Wanderers.