LFC launches permanent mental wellbeing hub at Anfield 2026

Key Points

• Liverpool FC has opened the first ever mental wellbeing hub at any Premier League or Barclays Women’s Super League stadiums.
• The Kicking Off Conversations hub will be available at the 97 Avenue corner, which is next to Anfield stadium and will work on match days.
• It has been funded through £25,000 by Forever Reds which is an official former players association of Liverpool FC.
• Forever Reds’ members Becky Easton, David Fairclough and John Barnes have unveiled the hub before the game against Fulham.
• This hub is being managed by LFC Foundation and the safeguarding team of the club.
• This comes after the launch of a pilot program where Liverpool was one of the 11 teams and now Premier League will fund this fan support at all 20 clubs starting from 2026-27.
• The opening of this program has come after the announcement of Together Against Suicide campaign by the Premier League.

Liverpool Sports (Liverpool standard) September 11, 2026 – Liverpool FC has officially opened a permanent mental wellbeing hub at Anfield, described by the club as the first of its kind in the Premier League or Barclays Women’s Super League. The new facility, named the Kicking Off Conversations hub, is situated at the corner of 97 Avenue, outside the stadium, and will provide supporters with a safe space to talk, connect and access specialist support on matchdays.

Who opened the mental wellbeing hub and how was it funded?

The permanent hub has been made possible through £25,000 in funding from Forever Reds, the club’s official former players association. Forever Reds members Becky Easton, David Fairclough and John Barnes officially opened the hub ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham. That match has been dedicated to the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign, which runs throughout September as Suicide Prevention Month.

What services will the Kicking Off Conversations hub provide?

The hub is operated jointly by LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity, and the LFC safeguarding team. It brings together safeguarding stewards, mental health professionals and trained Foundation staff to offer confidential, non-judgemental support to anyone struggling with their mental health, experiencing suicidal thoughts, worried about someone else, or simply in need of someone to talk to. Staff at the hub also provide practical support and signpost visitors to further specialist services where needed.

How does this development fit into the Premier League’s wider campaign?

Liverpool were one of 11 clubs to provide bespoke matchday support last season as part of a pilot programme. According to the club, that pilot helped shape the Premier League’s decision to fund tailored fan support at all 20 clubs from the 2026-27 season. Anfield is now converting that temporary matchday support into a fixed, permanent presence outside the stadium.

As reported by Liverpool FC’s official communications, the club highlighted that someone in the UK takes their own life every 90 minutes, while one in four people will experience suicidal thoughts in their lifetime. The statement continued: “We want our supporters to know that they do not have to face difficult moments alone, and that there is always a place at Anfield where they can come and talk in a safe and welcoming environment.”

Matt Parish, chief executive at LFC Foundation, said:

“Making this hub a permanent fixture at Anfield on matchdays is testimony to how seriously we take this issue with the awful reality right now that someone in the UK takes their own life every 90 minutes.”

What additional support is being offered to fans?

LFC Foundation is also working with Alfie’s Squad to introduce ‘Support Around the Seat’, a tailored resource designed to help supporters, families and club staff find appropriate support following a suicide. The Liverpool-specific support brings together trusted local and national organisations, providing clear routes to support for those struggling with their mental health, affected by suicide or concerned about someone else. The club has directed those in need to a dedicated page listing specialist organisations that can provide support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, struggling with their mental health, or affected by suicide.

Background to the development of the Anfield mental wellbeing hub

The Kicking Off Conversations hub was initially launched in September 2025 as part of the Premier League’s pilot scheme, with Liverpool among 11 clubs offering bespoke matchday support. Following the pilot’s success, the Premier League committed to funding similar tailored environments at all 20 top-flight clubs during the 2026-27 season. While other clubs, such as Newcastle United and Southampton, have announced pop-up or seasonal matchday hubs for 2026-27, Liverpool’s move to establish a permanent structure outside Anfield marks a step beyond the temporary provisions adopted elsewhere. The £25,000 contribution from Forever Reds enabled the transition from a seasonal service to a fixed facility, reflecting sustained demand and the club’s intention to embed mental health support into matchday operations.

Prediction: how this development can affect Liverpool FC supporters and local fans

The establishment of a permanent mental wellbeing hub at Anfield is likely to increase accessibility and normalise help-seeking behaviour among Liverpool FC supporters, particularly those who attend matches regularly. By locating the service outside the stadium and staffing it with safeguarding stewards and mental health professionals, the club reduces barriers such as stigma, travel to off-site services, and uncertainty about where to turn on matchdays. Over time, this could lead to earlier intervention for fans experiencing distress, stronger links between the club and local mental health providers, and a model that other football organisations may emulate. If utilisation data from the pilot is indicative, the permanent hub may also inform future Premier League investments in fan wellbeing infrastructure across the league.