We took a look back at the five major events that transformed the city
It’s been a huge couple of weeks for Liverpool as the city has played host to a series of historic events that will go down in history. In the past seven weeks, Liverpool has seen The Reds crowned Premier League champions with a jubilant victory parade, Everton bid a beautiful farewell to Goodison Park and a string of major music events that brought a party atmosphere to the city.
The historic sporting and music events have brought well over a million people into the city, as Liverpool has once again showcased its strength in playing host to large scale events. Our city always shines brightest when it’s showcasing itself as a home for historic sporting moments and magical music events.
We took a look back at the five major events that transformed the city and showcased Liverpool at its very best on a global stage.
Liverpool FC’s Premier League winning match
Tens of thousands of Liverpool fans descended on Anfield on April 27 for The Reds’ highly anticipated match against Tottenham which saw Slot’s side clinch Premier League victory with a storming 5-1 win. Every pub and bar around the ground was packed with fans hours before the match kicked off, as supporters from across Merseyside and the world came to Anfield with no prospect of a match ticket just to be part of the atmosphere around the stadium.
Fans began pouring into Anfield early in the afternoon, with thousands more gathering in the city centre’s bars to watch the action on TV. The Reds’ supporters soon broke into lively renditions of the famous terrace chants, including “Allez Allez Allez” and the song for Luis Díaz with “In Barrancas, a young dreamer with a ball at his feet” ringing out.
The team bus arrived at the stadium to be greeted by a sea of red, as flares, flags and scarves filled Anfield Road from the King Harry pub all the way to the ground. As the Liverpool coach approached the stadium it was met with songs and an overwhelming cloud of red smoke as the atmosphere built before the game.
More than 60,000 fans were inside Anfield for the game against Tottenham Hotspur, with tens of thousands more watching it all from outside the ground on an incredible day of celebrations for Liverpool fans.
Outside Anfield’s historic The Sandon pub, fans scaled walls, vans and even the roof of a petrol station to try and get a view of the pub’s huge outdoor screen.
The atmosphere was made even more special for many supporters, who were denied the opportunity to celebrate Liverpool’s 2019/20 Premier League win with their fellow supporters due to measures put in place as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
When the full time whistle was blown, the streets around the ground were filled with fans celebrating, singing and soaking up every second of a special day in the city.
Goodbye to Goodison
On the other side of Stanley Park, Everton FC fans had their own emotional day of celebrations on May 18 as they bid farewell to their beloved Goodison Park.
Fans were brought to tears as they watched Everton men’s first team play their last match at Goodison. Flares were lit and songs were sung as fans enjoyed the 2-0 win over Southampton which marked the end of an era at The Grand Old Lady.
Thousands filled the streets around the ground ahead of the emotional fixture, with blue smoke filling the air as Everton’s team bus was forced to take an alternate route after manic scenes outside the stadium.
As fans poured into the ground, Everton legend Duncan Ferguson was spotted being mobbed by fans as he made his way into Goodison Park.
Moments before kick-off, fans were seen sobbing in the stands as they welcomed the teams onto the pitch, with them encouraged to remember all those who came before them – friends, family and fellow Blues.
The Toffees took the lead just six minutes in when Iliman Ndiaye fired home from the centre of the box. The forward doubled the home side’s lead in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half, sending Goodison Park into mayhem on its big day.
Once the final whistle blew, Evertonians Tony Bellew and Gethin Jones hosted a ceremony marking the end of an era at Goodison Park. Current players and legends, including Tim Cahill and Peter Reid, all got involved in the celebrations, with Ellis Murphy and Bill-Ryder Jones performing in front of the joyous crowd.
After fans left the ground, pubs and bars nearby were filled to the rafters as Blues continued their celebrations into the night.
The occasion marks the conclusion of one chapter of football heritage with the men’s team set to move to the club’s new home at Bramley Moore-Dock next season.
Liverpool FC victory parade
Liverpool’s victory parade transformed an 11-mile stretch of the city into a sea of red, as supporters from around the world descended on the city to celebrate the club’s record-equalling 20th league title win.
Around one million Liverpool FC supporters were estimated to have lined the streets of the city to celebrate the club’s historic top-flight title.
The horrific events that unfolded after the parade have meant this momentous day for Liverpool has become tainted by sadness for so many.
But throughout the day, the city showed the very best of itself – united, joyful and full of love. It was a city that came together in celebration, with fans lining every inch of the parade route to catch a glimpse at the champions.
And of course, Liverpool’s response to the horror which unfolded on Water Street was to help and support those affected – or even those just unable to get home – in any way possible.
In the days after the parade, many Liverpool fans have chosen to share their photos from happy moments along the route, with many posting accompanying messages explaining that they don’t want to allow the upsetting events of last Monday evening to solely define a day that was such a proud moment for the city.
Our photographers were stationed along the route to capture every moment of the event – picturing families, friends and supporters who came together in celebration.
BBC
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend Festival took over Sefton Park over the bank holiday weekend, with a host of live performances on Friday, May 23, Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25.
A whopping 100,000 people visited Sefton Park over the course of the weekend to enjoy live performances from the likes of Sam Fender, Blossoms, and JADE, as well as a surprise performance from Ed Sheeran.
The set-up operation for the festival was huge, with four different stages needing to be erected in the park. Once works were completed, the festival site was an impressive and sprawling sight – it featured a big wheel, a big-top circus-style tent, food vendors, and a VIP area.
British singer Tom Grennan closed the first evening, but not before recruiting pop icon Mel C of Spice Girls fame to join him on stage. During the performance, Tom darted backstage to change into an Everton FC shirt while Mel wore a red Liverpool FC top.
Together, they stood side by side to the number 97 – a tribute to the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster. Taking a pause from the music, Tom addressed the crowd with heartfelt words about “uniting the city”.
Shortly after gates opened at 11am on Saturday, BBC Radio 1 DJ and Breakfast host Greg James announced the ‘special guest’ who was set to open the New Music Stage at 1.15pm. The surprise announcement was met with huge excitement from fans, as Greg revealed Ed Sheeran would be performing.
Addressing the crowds, he said: “Liverpool how are we feeling? Now I’m glad you turned up; I know this was a secret. But I’m going to play some songs that I hope you know, and if you don’t… it’s going to be a long hour for you.
“I just thought, ‘It’s Liverpool, it’s Saturday; if I play at night time your energy might be gone, but if I catch you first, I’m going to get all the Liverpudlian energy first.”
Saturday was a mixed bag of rain and shine, but it failed to put a dampener on the spirits of festivalgoers. People ditched their short shorts and crop tops in favour of raincoats and parkas, dancing the night away to a soundtrack of Aitch B2B AJ Tracey, Blossoms, Wolf Alice, and Sam Fender.
The final day saw international pop star Tate McRae draw an audience of thousands despite her 1.30pm call time.
The festival was concluded by Little Mix star JADE taking over the New Music Stage for a solo performance. The red and white carnival tent was packed with fans, with even more people standing outside to watch the vocalist performing on screens.
Indie-folk band Mumford & Sons had the pleasure of closing the festival’s Main Stage. Bidding farewell to a historic bank holiday weekend, the crowd became a spectacular sea of light as thousands shined their phone torches to create a dazzling display of unity.
The BBC thanked Liverpool for hosting a “hugely successful event” and “for making it an unforgettable weekend”. A statement from BBC Radio 1 said: “Thank you to the city of Liverpool for hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025.
“It was a hugely successful event, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who attended for making it an unforgettable weekend.”
Bruce Springsteen at Anfield
The Boss staged two incredible gigs in Liverpool that will live long in the memory. The Boss arrived in Merseyside last week to perform his first ever shows in the region.
The two Anfield shows were particularly meaningful for the 75-year-old as he was heavily influenced by The Beatles and was honoured to finally perform in the city that birthed the Fab Four. At the start of his show in Anfield on Saturday, he said: “Without this town, there would be no E Street band.”
The Born in the USA singer fulfilled a lifelong dream when he incredibly introduced Sir Paul McCartney on to the stage during the encore in L4. The ECHO was in attendance as Sir Paul arrived on stage to perform in his home city for the first time in seven years.
Bruce told the crowd: “We are lucky tonight we have a young man, a local young man from Liverpool who is going to be a guest for us tonight.
“I think he’s got a lot of talent and I believe he’s going to be going places. So let’s bring out Sir Paul McCartney.” The music icons performed a version of Can’t Buy Me Love and Kansas City in the amazing surprise set.
As Sir Paul departed the stage following his first performance in his home city for seven years, he said: “Thank you Scousers.” Bruce said it was a dream come true to perform with Sir Paul in Liverpool as he told the crowd: “Being in Liverpool and playing with a Beatle – that’s one of my dreams come true, right there.”
Bruce has since said goodbye to Liverpool and looked back on the historic moment by sharing a series of incredible pictures from photographer Rob DeMartin. The Boss captioned the post: “Liverpool. June 7, 2025.”
Fans took the comments with those in attendance saying it was an honour to be there for a moment that will forever be a part of music lore. Sam posted: “As a jersey girl living in the UK the past 13 years this is the show I needed…privileged to have been there”
Annie said: “Grateful in my life I saw these two legends of music.” Hannah added: “What an amazing night, we loved every minute of it, thank you Bruce as always for the music and the most memorable night, it was my 11 year old daughter’s 1st concert she loved singing and dancing the night away with you.”
