AFC Bournemouth handed major Vitality Stadium redevelopment boost on eve of historic European debut

AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium redevelopment project has reached another milestone ahead of the club's historic European debut against Sturm Graz.

Both corners are set to welcome supporters on Thursday, while work continues on the Cherries' ambitious expansion plans.

Both corners at Vitality Stadium to be open for Sturm Graz clash

As revealed by the Bournemouth Echo, the north-west and south-east corners of Vitality Stadium will open to fans for the first time when the Cherries host the Austrian side in the Europa League, adding around 800 seats to the ground's capacity.

The south-east turnstiles appear close to completion and are expected to be used by travelling supporters arriving for the European fixture.

The latest progress comes as construction gathers pace across Dean Court, with piling underway on the foundations for the new South Stand.

Once completed, the two-tier structure will become the stadium's largest stand, housing approximately 7,000 supporters.

The upper tier is being built first above the existing Ted MacDougall Stand, with the aim of opening it later this season and adding around 4,000 seats.

The current Ted MacDougall Stand will then be demolished next summer, allowing construction of the new lower tier to begin.

Bournemouth's redevelopment plans extend beyond the South Stand, with work on the north-east and south-west corners also scheduled to follow.

Those sections have a provisional opening date of November next year, which would further increase capacity and bring the project closer to completion.

The latest milestone is particularly significant with European football arriving at Vitality Stadium for the first time.

FGG says: A boost for Bournemouth and the Vitality Stadium

Opening both corners for the Sturm Graz match is an encouraging step for Bournemouth and their stadium expansion plans, giving more supporters the chance to witness a historic night while providing a visible sign of progress.

The bigger prize, however, is the new South Stand. Its planned 7,000 seats would represent a substantial improvement to the Vitality Stadium, with the phased construction allowing the upper tier to open before the existing stand is replaced.

Bournemouth still have considerable work ahead, but each completed section brings the club closer to a larger, more modern home capable of supporting its ambitions on and off the pitch.