AFC Bournemouth have taken a major stride towards expanding their Vitality Stadium after a key planning committee recommended approval of the club’s proposals, effectively giving the green light to £3.5million worth of enabling works ahead of a broader redevelopment scheme.
The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council’s eastern planning committee has backed the project in principle, moving the Cherries closer to a long-awaited ground transformation that will expand capacity and enhance facilities.
The proposed stadium expansion is part of an ambitious £90million redevelopment plan that would more than double Vitality Stadium’s capacity, raising it from around 11,307 to about 20,500 and with potential to grow even further in future phases.
Key elements include demolishing the existing temporary South Stand, extending the North and East stands, installing new turnstiles and perimeter fencing, and creating a new fan zone in the southwest corner.
Council officers attached an approval recommendation to the planning agenda, noting that the works will require accompanying commitments such as improved parking management and environmental measures including a section 106 agreement and planting of cherry trees to enhance local green space.
The developments aim to preserve Vitality Stadium’s character while enabling Bournemouth to generate higher matchday revenue and support long-term Premier League sustainability.
The club’s ownership, led by American billionaire Bill Foley, has stated that the expansion will be carried out while keeping the stadium operational, a crucial factor that would minimise disruption for supporters and maintain home advantage throughout the build.
Vitality stadium expansion details and next steps
If final approval is confirmed by the full council, enabling works worth at least £3.5m can begin, laying the groundwork for the larger first phase of construction.
These early works include site preparation, land access agreements and demolition of outdated structures that currently limit capacity and fan experience.
The larger expansion, once fully underway, would proceed in a phased approach designed to avoid the need for Bournemouth to relocate for home matches.
Filling in the corners and increasing seating will not only allow more supporters to attend Premier League games but also help the club catch up with rivals whose venues already deliver significantly higher matchday revenue.
Critically, the council decision came after months of discussions between club officials and BCP officers over land requirements and lease-hold arrangements at Kings Park, where Dean Court (the official name for Vitality Stadium) is located.
Bournemouth gained access rights to the necessary parcels of land last year, enabling detailed plans to be submitted.
Supporters have welcomed progress, though some local residents have voiced concerns about potential increases in day-to-day traffic and parking pressures on matchdays, issues the club has pledged to address as part of the overall expansion strategy.
FGG Says
This decision feels like a watershed moment for Bournemouth’s stadium ambitions. For years, the club has been one of the smallest-capacity sides in the Premier League, limiting its commercial reach and matchday income.
The council’s backing of the initial £3.5m works signals confidence in Bournemouth’s vision for a more competitive future, and if done right, this expansion could redefine the club’s trajectory, turning Vitality Stadium into a venue that not only meets its top-flight status but also fuels sustainable growth on and off the pitch.