Bournemouth president of business Jim Frevola has issued a surprise invitation to the National Hockey League (NHL), offering the Vitality Stadium as a venue for a future international ice hockey fixture.
Frevola’s offer came in response to a post on X from former NHL goaltender Kevin Weekes, who revisited his four-year-old proposal for a global Stadium Series.
Weekes asked fans which major venue should host such a match, name-checking Old Trafford and the Allianz Arena.
Frevola jumped in immediately with a direct response, “Come to the Vitality!” he wrote, tagging the NHL, Weekes, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley and the Vegas Golden Knights.
Foley’s transatlantic sporting worlds collide with NHL ice hockey proposal
The idea of bringing NHL action to Bournemouth would further intertwine Bill Foley’s sporting interests. His acquisition of the Vegas Golden Knights in 2016 delivered Las Vegas its first major league franchise.
The Knights became an instant success, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and winning the trophy in 2023, fulfilling Foley’s bold six-year championship prediction.
Given Foley’s influence and his enthusiasm for cross-sport collaboration, the prospect of an NHL showcase on the South Coast carries genuine intrigue.
Redevelopment plans reshape the Vitality Stadium
The Vitality Stadium has proven adaptable as a multi-event venue, hosting concerts and Chris Billam-Smith’s WBO cruiserweight title triumph in 2023.
Bournemouth’s £90 million redevelopment plan aims to transform the stadium, increasing capacity to roughly 20,500 from its current sub-11,000, and modernising facilities across all stands.
Key elements include a rebuilt South Stand, expanded North and East stands, corner infills, upgraded hospitality areas and new fan zones.
According to the club, construction is expected between early 2026 and the 2027 season, with the work expected to be completed by the start of the 2027-2028 season.
FGG Says
Bournemouth stepping forward to host an NHL Stadium Series match is bold, imaginative and exactly the sort of crossover thinking that modern sport increasingly embraces. With Bill Foley’s dual ownership links, the proposal feels more than just a social-media gimmick, tilting towards a genuine strategic potential commercialisation for both the club and the league.
The impending redevelopment of the Vitality Stadium strengthens the case. A bigger, more modern venue could position Bournemouth as an unexpected hub for international events. While nothing is confirmed, the ambition alone is refreshing. If the NHL is seeking a unique European setting, Bournemouth’s offer is one they may find difficult to ignore.