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Why are Preston and Huddersfield playing their Carabao Cup tie at Goodison Park?
Rohan Mehta | August 8, 2026 8:15 AM CST

Everton’s former home ground will stage a Carabao Cup fixture this weekend, with Huddersfield Town taking on Preston North End.

Preston North End and Huddersfield Town are set to kick off in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday, 8 August in unusual surroundings.

Instead of playing at Deepdale, the two Football League clubs will meet at Everton’s former stadium, Goodison Park.

The change of venue is because pitch improvement work is currently being carried out at Preston’s home ground, Deepdale.

After summer renovation work, the playing surface at Preston is still not ready for competitive matches, leaving the Lancashire club needing to find a temporary neutral venue to meet their cup obligation.

Preston issued an official statement saying: "Preston North End have agreed a deal with Everton to host the club’s first round Carabao Cup tie against Huddersfield Town.

"The tie will be played at 3pm on Saturday 8th August at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Women, formerly the home of the Toffees men’s first team up until their move ahead of the 25/26 season.

"The Lilywhites applied to the EFL for permission to play at the alternative venue due to the installation of the new hybrid pitch at Deepdale.

"The pitch will be complete in time for the club’s first home league game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 22nd August, but to ensure there are no issues after a significant £1.5m-plus investment, the decision was taken to seek permission to play away from PR1 in round one."

Last summer, Everton moved into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, with Goodison Park then becoming the operational home of the club’s women’s team.

That arrangement gives the 134-year-old stadium another match involving senior men’s football before its planned community redevelopment phase begins.


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