AFC Bournemouth is preparing for a major redevelopment of Vitality Stadium. The project includes building a new south stand, filling the stadium corners and expanding capacity to over 20,000 seats, nearly doubling the current size of the venue.

Demolition of the South Stand at Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth

The most important stage of the first phase of the project will be the demolition of the current South Stand at Vitality Stadium, also known as the South Stand. The dismantling of this structure is scheduled for the summer break between seasons. In its place, a completely new stand will be constructed, with its lower tier designed to accommodate around 3,000 supporters.

Work on this part of the stadium is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026/2027 season, allowing AFC Bournemouth to increase the number of available seats for fans at the beginning of the new campaign. Construction of the upper tier of the South Stand will continue during the 2026/2027 season, meaning the stadium will operate as an active construction site for one season.

Ultimately, the new South Stand will have a capacity of approximately 7,000 spectators, making it the largest and tallest part of the stadium. Compared with the current structure, this will represent a significant step towards increasing capacity and improving infrastructure standards. Already in the first phase of the project, the stadium’s capacity will increase by more than 1,500 seats, allowing the club to host more fans even before the completion of all construction works.

© AFC Bournemouth | Ultimately, the new south stand is expected to accommodate around 7,000 spectators, making it the largest and highest part of the Vitality Stadium.

At present, Vitality Stadium has the smallest capacity in the entire Premier League, with only 11,307 seats. The redevelopment is expected to significantly change this situation and allow the club to better respond to growing demand for match tickets.

Filling the corners of Vitality Stadium to increase seating capacity

Another part of the project involves filling in all four corners of the stadium. During the first stage of works, two of them will be developed — the south-east and north-west corners.

This solution will add around 1,440 new seats while also improving stadium acoustics and creating a more compact architectural form. The remaining corners will be developed during the next phase of the project, scheduled for the break between seasons in 2027.

In addition to the construction of the new South Stand, major upgrades are planned for two existing stands — the East Stand and the West Stand. These works will include improvements to internal spaces and the introduction of three new hospitality areas designed to expand the club’s premium offering for fans and business partners.

Additionally, new media seating areas and upgraded broadcasting facilities will be created in the West Stand. These improvements are intended to enhance working conditions for television broadcasters and increase the stadium’s ability to host high-level live broadcasts. The final stage of the project is planned for summer 2027. At that time, further works will begin involving the expansion of the North Stand and the enlargement of the East Stand. The project also includes filling the two remaining corners of the stadium and completing the upper section of the South Stand.

Once all planned works are completed, Vitality Stadium will be able to accommodate around 20,200 spectators, nearly doubling the current capacity of the venue.

© AFC Bournemouth | In addition to the construction of a new south stand, a thorough modernisation of the two existing stands – the East Stand and the West Stand – is also planned.

Upgrades to entrances and fan areas at the Bournemouth stadium

The redevelopment project also includes a number of improvements to fan service infrastructure. One of the most important changes will be relocating all stadium turnstiles to a new outer perimeter zone.

This will create a significantly larger space around the stadium — the so-called outer concourse — which is intended to improve crowd flow before matches and enhance the overall fan experience. As part of the modernization, a new ticket office will also be built and relocated closer to the new outer stadium perimeter.

Cost of the Vitality Stadium redevelopment in Bournemouth

The estimated cost of the entire redevelopment of the Vitality Stadium project is around £50 million. This figure appeared in an investor presentation prepared by the club’s owners, Black Knight Football Club. The group, led by American businessman Bill Foley, acquired AFC Bournemouth in 2022 for approximately £120 million. In 2025, the owners also decided to repurchase Dean Court — the current location of Vitality Stadium — for about £10 million.

The stadium expansion forms part of a broader investment strategy that also includes the construction of a modern training centre, which cost around £42 million.

The decision to expand the stadium is largely driven by the club’s rapidly growing revenues in recent years. AFC Bournemouth revenues increased from around £143 million in the 2022/2023 season to nearly £199 million in the 2024/2025 season. Significant growth has been recorded in several key areas of the club’s operations. Commercial revenue from advertising and sponsorship has more than doubled in recent years, while ticket sales income has increased by over 27%.

The hospitality segment is also performing strongly, with premium packages reaching around 95% of available capacity. Additionally, more than 98% of season tickets were renewed for the 2025/2026 season, clearly demonstrating the growing interest in Bournemouth matches and the club’s increasing popularity among fans.