Bournemouth
🏟️ Address: Vitality Stadium (Dean Court), Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth, BH7 7AF, United Kingdom Directions in Google Maps
Vitality Stadium is located in Bournemouth, approximately 4 km northeast of the town centre. There are both free and affordable parking options close by, and it also connects with a number of public transport links. Supporters with valid match tickets will also receive a discount on bus tickets and local taxi fares, so there are a variety of convenient methods of arrival.
Below you can find general information on travel and parking for Vitality Stadium (Dean Court). Individual events may have additional/restricted services available, and so we recommend clicking through to the event and viewing the Travel & Parking tab for event-specific information.
There are several free and paid parking options on-site and in the immediate vicinity of Vitality Stadium:
South Car Park
Supporters may park on-site in the South Car Park, also known as the Kings Park Car Park. This costs £1 for up to 1 hour, £1.50 for up to 2 hours, £3.50 for up to 4 hours, and £5 for up to 24 hours for cars, and £4 for up to 4 hours or £9 for up to 24 hours for coaches or lorries (the coach/lorry section is at the south end of the car park).
The South Car Park charges apply 24/7, including on matchdays. This lot is cashless, with options to pay by mobile, app or phone to the number displayed on the sign. In order to pay, supporters should download either the Pay by Phone, Ringo or Just Park app. Location numbers are as follows:
Blue Badge Holders may also park in the South Car Park for free, provided they are displaying a BCP Council Disabled Tax-Exempt Vehicle parking permit (DTEV), otherwise the charges will apply.
The South Car Park fills up approximately 75 minutes prior to kick-off on matchdays, so early arrival is recommended, and it may take up to 45 minutes to clear after the game. Exit the south of the car park along Gloucester Road to avoid the Kings Park Drive traffic.
Main Stand/VIP Car Park
Supporters and sponsors with pre-arranged parking in the Main Stand/VIP Car Park will not incur charges. Free motorcycle parking is also available in this lot.
There are 27 accessible spaces in this car park, which are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Avonbourne Academy
Free matchday parking (including 2 accessible spaces) is available at Avonbourne Academy (formerly Harewood College, Harewood Avenue), which is just a 1.0 km (12 min) walk from the stadium.
This car park opens 3 hours prior to kick-off on weekends and 1 hour 45 minutes prior to weekday matches, and it closes 30 minutes after the full-time whistle.
Sovereign Shopping Centre
There are 600 spaces at Sovereign Shopping Centre (Christchurch Road, BH1 4SX), which is just a 1.1 km (13 min) walk from the venue, and costs just £2 for 4 hours. In this car park, you'll be less affected by post-match congestion.
Parking Restrictions
A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is in effect on matchdays which prohibits all parking (from 3 hours prior to kick-off until 3 hours after kick-off) from the roundabout at the top of Kings Park Drive to the junction with Kings Park Central Drive (right turn going across the park, past the café to Ashley Road).
Part of Thistlebarrow Road is also covered by the TTRO; notices will be displayed to confirm this.
As a seaside town, most of Bournemouth’s accommodation is concentrated around the beach. Seafront hotels and b&bs with ocean views are highly coveted and therefore, highly-priced. However, there are cheaper properties on the far ends of the seafront as well as in the town centre.
Classic stadium fare such as burgers, pies (steak & ale, chicken, bacon & leek, and curried sweet potato, butternut squash, and spinach), and hot dogs are available, as are cold snacks such as crisps and chocolate.
The venue offers an adult meal deal of a hot food item (burger, pie, or hot dog), a chocolate bar, and a pint for £8, or with a soft or hot drink for £7; please note the former is not available in the Ted MacDougall Stand. Junior Cherries members can get a meal deal including a hot food item, crisps, a chocolate bar, and a small juice or water for £3.
There are 8 public entrances to the stadium, A through H, arranged in clockwise fashion. Please use the entrance that corresponds with your ticket.
Visiting fans are housed in blocks 23 and 24 in the East Stand, which can be accessed through turnstile F. Gates open 90 minutes prior to kick-off.
There are also 4 accessible entrances located in each corner of the stadium:
Supporters will be searched and so are advised not to bring a bag.
Toilets are located throughout the stadium. Prior to kick-off, there are also a number of public toilets available in Kings Park nearby, as well as in Boscombe.
There are 15 accessible toilets in the Vitality Stadium, situated close to accessible viewing areas. All accessible toilet facilities have level access and are clearly signed with tactile and braille signage.
AFC Bournemouth recommend PRC (Poole Radio Cabs) Streamline for spectators looking to arrive via taxi or rideshare service. Supporters can receive a 10% discount on their fare upon producing a valid match ticket. You can contact PRC on 01202 37 37 37.
Thistlebarrow Road is a main pick-up point for spectators, providing it is not within the coned/TTRO prohibited areas.
Disabled spectators may also be dropped off in the Main Stand/VIP Car Park.
Bus is a popular way to reach Vitality Stadium due to its connection with multiple Morebus services:
AFC Bournemouth recommends the X3 service for supporters travelling from Salisbury or Bournemouth, or the m2 if you're travelling from Pokesdown. The former runs every 30 minutes and is just 7 stops from St. Swithuns Roundabout, St. Swithuns Road, while the latters run every 7-10 minutes.
Supporters with a valid match ticket can receive a £1 discount on dayrider tickets. All buses are equipped with WiFi and USB charging facilities and they accept contactless payments as well as cash. Up to date times and prices can be found at www.morebus.co.uk.
Train is a popular method of arrival due to Vitality Stadium's connection with both CrossCountry and South Western Railway services:
Please note, Bournemouth station is accessible for wheelchair users but Pokesdown is not.
To reach the ground from Pokesdown, exit the station and turn right down the main Christchurch Road (A35) for 400 m and then turn right into Gloucester Road. Follow signs for Kings Park to arrive at Vitality Stadium.
To reach the ground from Bournemouth station, leave the station by the south exit (facing Asda) and turn left to head towards the main road. Turn left again and walk straight up Holdenhurst Road for around 25 minutes, until you reach a roundabout at which you turn right into Kings Park Drive, and the Vitality Stadium is on the left.
Bike racks are available in 3 stands adjacent to the stadium, and those cycling to the venue can make use of cycling lanes in the area. New and upgraded cycle paths and foot paths have been introduced around Kings Park as part of an 8 km route from Bournemouth railway station to Jumpers Common in Christchurch. This includes a cycle path between Vitality Stadium and Harewood Avenue.
Supporters can also hire bikes and e-scooters via the Beryl app; they can be picked up and dropped off in marked "Beryl Bays." The is a Beryl Bay pick-up and drop-off point located in the South Car Park. For more information click here.
Vitality Stadium is approximately 4.0 km (48 min) walk from Bournemouth town centre, so it could be practical to arrive on foot if you're prepared for a moderate to lengthy walk. It is roughly the same distance from Southbourne, while Boscombe is just a 1.0 km (12 min) walk. There are lots of shops, bars, and restaurants along the way.
Accessibility Cards
Supporters with a disability, medical condition, or access requirement can apply for a matchday accessibility card which can be used to easily identify themselves to stewards and members of staff should they require assistance.
These cards are available to all supporters registered to the club and can be applied for here.
Audio Headsets
Visually impaired supporters can order a headset in advance of the game for free by contacting the ticket office, via phone by calling 01202 726300, or by e-mailing disability@afcb.co.uk.
Concessions
Kiosks with low counters are available throughout the concourses, including the visiting supporters concourse. Easy read menus are available in all kiosks, and in the elevated viewing platforms in the Main and East stands supporters will be serviced with catering directly to their seat.
DC Lounge
Both home and visiting supporters are welcome in the East Stand's DC Lounge prior to the game. There is a TV showing Sky Sports/BT Sport, a matchday quiz, and refreshments available for purchase.
Hearing Loops
Portable hearing loops can be found in concourse areas as well as ticket offices, the superstore, reception, 1910 bar, and in the hospitality area.
Sensory Packs
Sensory packs including a club-branded mini soft football, Autism Awareness card and keychain, club-branded noise-cancelling headphones, menu for concourse food, and club-branded pop-it sensory toy can be pre-ordered here. Supporters will receive a confirmation email once it has been booked, and they can be collected from the DC Lounge in the East Stand.
More accessibility information at the Vitality Stadium can be found here. Enquiries can be directed to disability@afcb.co.uk.
Vitality Stadium (Dean Court) has a capacity of approximately 11,364. However, the capacity does differ between events depending on the seating configuration.
Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth, BH7 7AF, United Kingdom.
