Key facts
Club: AFC Bournemouth | Opening: 1910 | Capacity: 11,464 seats
History and description
The Vitality Stadium, better known as Dean Court, was built in 1910, though initially consisted of nothing more than a small single stand.
Further stands and terraces were built in the 1930s, and Dean Court recorded its largest attendance in 1957 when 28,799 spectators showed up for an FA Cup match versus Manchester United.
Plans to expand the stadium were made in the 1980s, but were abandoned due to a lack of financial resources. In 2001, the stadium was entirely reconstructed with the pitch turned 90 degrees, though initially lacked a South Stand. Over the years, various temporary stands were built at the empty end until in 2013 finally a permanent stand was completed.
Over the years, Dean Court has had various sponsor names, beginning in 2001 with the Fitness First Stadium and followed in 2011 by Seward Stadium and in 2012 by Goldsands Stadium. It announced the current naming rights deal in the summer of 2015, resulting in the name Vitality Stadium.
Following their promotion to the Premier League, the club first looked into expanding the Vitality Stadium to a potential 18,000 seats, but finally decided on building a new stadium altogether following a failed attempt to buy the stadium back from a property company that had previously bought it in 2005.
How to get to the Vitality Stadium
The Vitality Stadium is located in the north-east of Bournemouth at a little over 2 miles from The Square and the Bournemouth Pier in the town centre. The main railway station lies roughly halfway the town centre and the stadium.
The walk from the main rail station to the stadium will take just under half an hour. The stadium furthermore lies at walking distance from Pokesdown station, which lies south-east of the stadium.
If arriving by car, take the A338 towards Bournemouth and exit towards Boscombe. Take the second exit on the roundabout and follow King’s Park Drive to the stadium. There are signs that point to the stadium (or Dean Court) along the way.
Address: Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth BH7 7AF
Eat, drink, and sleep near the Vitality Stadium
The Vitality Stadium is located in a quiet residential neighbourhood, and apart from a local pub, there is therefore little in the immediate vicinity of the stadium in terms of eating and drinking, which is best done in and around Bournemouth’s town centre.
There are neither any hotels directly near the Vitality Stadium, but plenty of options in Bournemouth’s town centre, or even closer in the nearby Boscombe area (which while regenerated, still has a somewhat negative reputation in terms of safety).
Bournemouth Tickets
Tickets for Bournemouth games can be bought online, over the phone +44 (0) 344 576 1910, or in person at the ticket office at the Vitality Stadium or the BIC & Pavilion ticket office on Exeter Road right off The Square in Bournemouth’s town centre.
Ticket prices range from £32.00 for a seat behind the goal to £45.00 for a central seat at the Main Stand.
Bournemouth currently sell out every match in their first season in the Premier League and one generally needs to have accrued a certain number of loyalty points to be able to obtain tickets.
Email tickets@afcb.co.uk or call +44 (0) 344 576 1910 for more information.
Photos of the Vitality Stadium
Relevant Internet links
Afcb.co.uk – Official website of AFC Bournemouth.
Bournemouth.co.uk – Official Bournemouth tourist guide.