About stadium

Stadium introduction

The first match officially played by A.F.C Bournemouth at Dean Court was on the 1st September 1923 when an estimated 7,000 fans witnessed a 0-0 draw against Swindon Twon. Before this The Cherries, were known as Boscombe F.C and the club first moved into Dean Court in December 1910 after taking longer than expected to clear the former gravel pit.

Previously owned by the Cooper-Dean family, the name of Bournemouth’s stadium is said to derive from the former owner, although in recent years it has come to be known by a number of sponsorship names. From the start of the 2001-2002 season onwards it was officially known as the Fitness First, then Goldsands and now Vitality Stadium.

The largest ever attendance at Dean Court was set on 2nd March 1957 against Manchester United in an FA Cup match. 28,799 fans crammed into Dean Court to watch the match, with the league attendance set almost a decade early in 1948 when 25,495 fans witnessed a disappointing 1 nil defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

Originally furnished from old fittings from the British Empire Exhibition Stadium, the ground was entirely rebuilt in 2001, with the project so large in scale that the club were forced to play their first eight fixtures of the season at Dorchester’s Avenue Stadium. The extensive renovation saw the pitch rotated 90 degrees to limit the impact on nearby housing.

Initially consisting of just three stands like Oxford's Stadium, a decade after opening a temporary south stand was erected during the 2010-2011 season. Removed the season after, a permanent section of seating was built after the club were promoted to the Championship for the 2013/2014 season resulting in today’s current capacity of 12,000.

How to get to the Stadium

Vitality Stadium, King’s Park Drive, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7AF