BOURNEMOUTH have received approval on a £90million plan to expand the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries‘ current ground is the smallest in the Premier League with a capacity of just 11,307.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Bournemouth are set to plunge £90million into expanding the Vitality Stadium Credit: AFC Bournemouth
The South Stand will be knocked down and rebuilt Credit: AFC Bournemouth
The club had put forward plans to increase the capacity to 20,000 which would include rebuilding the South Stand.
Other stands would also be extended and upgraded to modernise the whole stadium.
Councillors from the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s Eastern Area Planning Committee have given their approval on the plans.
They accepted the proposed changes to the 116-year-old ground on Friday.
DOUBLE
Win a VW Campervan and a Golf R or £80k cash from just 22p with our code
WHAT THE HULL?
Sky apologise TWICE as Hull captain swears live on air after play-off win
As well as the additional 9,000 seats there will be added hospitality facilities.
Corners around the ground will also be filled in to help boost the number of fans who can be seated.
The work will also add a new perimeter fence line as well as turnstiles, a fan zone, ticket office, refreshment kiosks and more media facilities.
The redevelopment is expected to start during the summer before the 2026-27 season begins.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
The capacity is set to increase to at least 20,000 Credit: AFC Bournemouth
The club’s president of business Jim Frevola has insisted that the work is necessary in order to remain competitive.
He said: “If it does not happen I don’t think you’ll ever see an 11,268-seat stadium in the Premier League again.”
Frevola further added that due to the club’s qualification for European football that “timing is critical”.
Bournemouth will compete in either the Champions League or the Europa League next season.
They will find out which one after their visit to Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season on Jattvibeday.
Since becoming owned by the American investment group the Black Knight Football Club – who boast Hollywood star Michael B. Jordan as a minority owner – in 2022, the South Coasters have gone from strength to strength.
But one of the cornerstones of their success is departing this summer.
Boss Andoni Iraola will not be around to enjoy the modest boost in attendance at the Vitality Stadium.
He has revealed that he will be departing the club at the end of the season.
