Report: Why Anfield Will Look Sharper Than Ever for the New Season | OneFootball

New Pitch Installed at Anfield for Upcoming Campaign

Anfield is once again a hive of activity this summer, with Liverpool undertaking a series of upgrades to ensure the stadium is fully primed for the 2025/26 season. Among the most notable changes is the installation of a new hybrid playing surface, a routine that has now become part of the club’s pre-season preparations.

This latest pitch, composed of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial fibres, continues the trend of using a hybridgrass system designed to endure a demanding fixture calendar. The dimensions remain unchanged at 101 by 68 metres, maintaining consistency for players and coaching staff.

Following a summer that included high-profile concerts by artists such as Dua Lipa, Bruce Springsteen, and Lana Del Rey, the stadium’s transformation marks a shift back from entertainment venue to elite football ground.

Slot’s Liverpool side will be among the first to test the surface during a friendly double-header on August 4, where Anfield is expected to return to full footballing focus.

Seat Restoration Project Underway in Main Stand

In addition to the new pitch, attention has turned to the seats in Anfield’s lower Main Stand, which had faded after long exposure to sunlight during the off-season. Rather than replacing the seats wholesale, Liverpool have opted for a more sustainable approach — using heat treatment to restore the original red hue of the plastic.

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The process, demonstrated by KC Imageworks, involves applying a blow torch to the seats, melting the topmost layer of plastic to eliminate surface scratches and rejuvenate the colour. It’s a cost-effective method that retains the integrity of the existing seating while enhancing its visual appeal for supporters.

This method continues to show Liverpool’s practical and environmentally conscious approach to stadium maintenance.

Anfield Store Expansion Nearing Completion

Meanwhile, work is nearing completion on an expansion of Anfield’s retail footprint. The club’s official store is being increased by nearly 4,000 square feet, with a new mezzanine floor set to open by 1 August.

Fans visiting the ground on matchdays can expect a significantly improved retail experience, with a wider entrance for smoother crowd flow, relocated escalators and stairs for better accessibility, and more tills to reduce queueing times. The enhancements aim to align matchday retail with the increasing volume of visitors following the Anfield Road Stand expansion.

During construction, the retail operation has temporarily relocated to the Kop Bar — formerly the original store — ensuring fans still have access to merchandise ahead of the new season.

Anfield Prepares for Full-Capacity Football Once More

Liverpool are moving into the new campaign with a fully operational and modernised Anfield. Following last season’s record league crowd of 60,420 against Ipswich Town, the stadium now boasts both scale and refinement. With infrastructure improvements completed in the stands, on the pitch, and in the surrounding fan facilities, the club appears committed to offering one of the most complete matchday experiences in English football.

As the 2025/26 campaign approaches, Anfield’s readiness off the pitch mirrors the ambitions on it.