AFC Bournemouth is one step closer to acquiring Vitality Stadium, the club’s home ground since 1910.
The Premier League club, in partnership with Black Knight Football Club, a global investment group founded by Bill Foley, has entered into a binding contract to acquire the stadium.
As part of the agreement, a newly created entity, Black Knight Stadium Limited, will officially take ownership of Vitality Stadium.
Foley described the acquisition as a “strategic and logical step” in the pursuit of AFC Bournemouth’s and Black Knight Football Club’s long-term ambitions.
“We have acknowledged that accommodating more of our growing fanbase is integral to our goals for the club, and this move will allow us to pursue all options moving forward,” he said. “We appreciate Structadene’s stewardship of the stadium and for working with us to return it to its natural home with the club.”
Owning the stadium will enable the club’s owners to preserve its history while planning for future renovations and improvements.
In recent months, Foley and his consortium have also upgraded other aspects of the club’s infrastructure, including the launch of a new Performance Centre last month.
With a capacity of just around 11,000, Vitality Stadium is one of the smallest in the Premier League. Recently, several clubs such as Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United have worked to upgrade their grounds.
An increased capacity would not only boost matchday revenue but also attract non-football events. The stadium has already hosted several notable occasions, including a concert by Elton John in 2006 and, more recently, Chris Billam-Smith’s Cruiserweight World Championship victory in 2023.
Under Foley’s leadership, AFC Bournemouth has significantly increased its commercial presence, often leveraging his existing relationships.
Foley’s consortium also owns the NHL‘s Vegas Golden Knights, a connection which led to a partnership between the club and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority last year.
Looking ahead, Foley is likely to further expand this commercial strategy, with hospitality packages playing a central role, which will likely require enhancements to the stadium.
