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Men’s Football

AFC Bournemouth

Premier League
Vitality Stadium
Capacity: 11,329
Vitality Stadium
Dean Court
Bournemouth
BH7 7AF

Disabled supporters contact

Club or stadium contact
 for disabled fans

Hannah Powis
Head of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement

01202 726300

General ticket office contact

Jazmine Spurling
Ticketing Manager

01202 726300

Accessible ticket contact

John Jennings
Senior Ticketing Assistant

01202 726300

Disabled supporters association

Chair

Ben Smith

Accessibility information

Stadium map

Stadium map

Number of wheelchair user spaces

Home

Actual:
287
Target:
-

Away

Actual:
11
Target:
-
The club provides a number of dedicated viewing areas for disabled supporters, situated in all four stands.

The stadium has 287 home wheelchair viewing positions and 11 visiting wheelchair positions.

Of which, 31 home positions are on elevated viewing platforms, and eight visiting positions are on elevated viewing platforms.

With the majority of positions located pitch side, ponchos and blankets (subject to availability) are available during inclement weather.

All elevated viewing platforms are fully undercover.

All personal assistants sit adjacent to wheelchair users.

Number of easy access and amenity seats

Actual:
TBC
All ambulant disabled supporters are able to enjoy the game with their personal assistants, from seats of their choice.

The Club offers sensory seating situated on an elevated viewing platform and a dedicated accessible seating area.

If you require easy access seats or have any specific seating requirements, please contact the club’s Disability Access Officer (disability@afcb.co.uk) or ticket office to discuss.

Every effort will be made to accommodate such requests, subject to availability.

Number of accessible toilets

Actual:
15
There are 14 accessible toilets at the Vitality Stadium.

There is one situated close to each of the areas provided for our disabled supporters.

All have level access and are clearly signed with tactile and braille signage.

Accessible toilets have additional signage, mirrors, coat hooks and colour contrast. All accessible toilets are fitted with an alarm.

A Changing Places facility is located on the outside of the stadium in the south-west corner, adjacent to the accessible entrance.

This facility is available to all supporters pre/ post-match and to all supporters throughout the match.

Audio commentary

In-stadium commentary for visually impaired supporters is available for all areas of the stadium.

Complimentary headsets can be ordered in advance through the club’s Disability Access Officer (disability@ afcb.co.uk).

The club encourages supporters to bring their own earphones/headphones but can also supply if required.

Matchday programmes are available in alternative formats on request via the club’s Disability Liaison Officer (disability@afcb.co.uk).

Sensory room

The club offers sensory packs for supporters.

These packs include club branded noise-cancelling headphones, a club branded mini soft football, an autism awareness card which can be shown to matchday staff for assistance, and a dry wipe menu for the concourse to assist with ordering.

The items all come in an AFC Bournemouth branded draw string bag.

These can be booked by completing the application form found at the following link- https://www.afcb.co.uk/news/club-news/matchday-sensory-packs-now-available.

Accessible services + information

Assistance dogs

The club does allow supporters to bring assistance dogs into the stadium, but asks that the supporter contacts the club’s Disability Access Officer (disability@afcb.co.uk) in advance to make the appropriate arrangements.

Hearing loops

The club have portable hearing loops in several customer contact points.

They are located at the matchday ticket office, superstore, main reception, 1910 club bar and each of the lowered concourse counters.

On matchdays, information including team line-ups, substitutions and goal scorers will be shown on the electronic scoreboards as well as the public address system.

Club shop

The superstore is located at the north-west corner of the stadium, and can be accessed via wide manual double doors, or through the single door with an accessible touch pad entry system. Inside it is spacious, and level.

Please be aware that the superstore is often extremely busy on matchdays.

The superstore can get extremely busy on a matchday.

Store staff are available on the shop floor and are happy to assist supporters and visitors.

Club hospitality

Matchday hospitality is accessible with lift access via main reception, with accessible toilets are located on each floor. A portable hearing loop is in Champions Top Floor restaurant.

Matchday hospitality is available as a 3-course meal in Champions Top Floor Restaurant or a buffet option in a private hospitality box. Specialist ergonomically designed cutlery is available on request to assist with gripping difficulties or a limited wrist range of motion.

AFC Bournemouth’s hospitality and events team can ensure the appropriate provisions are made to room set ups to allow enough space between tables for wheelchair access or ensure table plans are arranged to allow the best access to the table in the room.

Champions Top Floor Restaurant has direct access to the main stand raised viewing platform.

Fire exits are sign posted across the building with different routes for the quickest exit from the suite, with evac chairs and refuge points in position for wheelchair users and those unable to use stairs. Please contact the hospitality and events team (hospitality@afcb.co.uk or 01202 726395) if you have any access requirements and they will create a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) for you in the event of an emergency.

If you have any other queries about matchday hospitality access or dietary requirements, please contact the hospitality and events team or the disability access officer (disability@afcb.co.uk).

Braille and large print provision

This is available upon request.

The matchday programme can also be downloaded to a tablet.

Accessible lounge

Home supporters are welcome to use Bar 1 upon production of a valid match ticket. The bar is free entry and opens three hours before kick-off on matchday.

Hot food, and drinks are available.

The majority of televised fixtures on a home matchday will be shown on TVs around the room.

There is an accessible toilet located on the same floor as Bar 1.

Home disabled supporters are welcome to use the Great Escape Bar, which is situated outside the north-west corner of the stadium.

A valid match ticket will be required to gain entry, and the bar serves an outdoor, open fan area with level access.

The DC Lounge is open pre-match to both home and visiting disabled supporters, free of charge.

The DC Lounge is based on the ground floor and first floor in the east stand for the use of disabled supporters and their PAs.

The lounge offers screens showing live televised matches, a refreshment service of complimentary hot drinks, team sheets and a matchday quiz to test your footballing knowledge.

There are two accessible toilets, located on the first floor and a lift service is available.

There is level access into the entrance, and the main door(s) open towards you (pull), with staff available to assist.

The doors are double width, and the opening is 160cm (5ft 3in) wide.

The DC Lounge has proved a popular place for disabled supporters to meet and socialise.

Food concession stands

Each concourse counter has a low-level service counter.

Handheld menus are also available within all concourses areas, and these can be found at the low-level service counters.

Stewards are located in the concourse before, during and after the game so if you need any assistance at all, they will be more than happy to help.

Supporters in the south stand have the same food options via the burger vans. These do not currently have low-level service counters but staff are available to assist. No alcohol is served in these areas.

Paper straws are available upon request.

Total number of parking spaces

The club offers 62 accessible parking spaces on site at Vitality Stadium. Parking is available in the clubs main and south car parks, parking within these car parks are operated on a first come first serve basis.

Within the main car park there is no charge for blue badge holders – evidence will be required. In the South car park blue badge holders will need to hold a valid Disabled Tax Exempt Vehicle (DTEV) permit which enables permit holders to park in most BCP off street and pay and display car parks without buying a ticket. Where blue badge holders do not have a valid DTEV charges within the South car park will apply.

Supporters may experience delays in leaving the car parks after the final whistle. Access from both car parks to the stadium is step free.

The clubs policy is to reserve spaces for the use of disabled supporters for as long as possible but it is important to note that there is no guarantee of matchday parking on the basis of being a blue badge holder.

All supporters attending matches are advised to arrive early as the car park usually reaches capacity around 2 hours before kick-off.

Please be aware, there is a left turn at the exit of the south end of the south car park, which will bring you out on to Gloucester Road in Boscombe.

Access from this car park to the stadium is step-free and up to 100m in distance.

Travel options

The club offers an accessible minibus to away matches. This can be booked with the ticket office when purchasing a match ticket. Supporters using the minibus are charged the coach price for that match, and the PA travels free of charge. Where demand exceeds for individual matches, the club will look to hire a second minibus. 

This page was reviewed and updated by Level Playing Field staff 02/08/2023.

How we set targets

We use accepted industry standards to set the club targets. The reference documents include: Accessible Stadia Guide 2003 and Accessible Stadia Supplementary Guidance 2015; Building Regulations Approved Document M, Access to and Use of Buildings; BS 8300, Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people; Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide); Access for All, UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible Stadium and Matchday Experience

Have you got a question, complement or complaint?

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About this page

This information is provided by AFC Bournemouth. Level Playing Field (LPF) cannot be held responsible if the service and provision differs from what is stated here.

If you have any queries please contact us.

Updated August 2023

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Fan comments

Comments reflect the views of the fans themselves and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPF.

  • Heather Whitehead, who attended Huddersfield Town
    6 years ago

    Having been to the Vitality staduim before I knew the layout of the staduim. They have plenty of pre-booked disabled bays, stewards were ok an pointed us to the bays.

    I had a reply via a email about parking and within the email was new information regarding a room whereby disabled home and away supporters can meet up prior to the game, it’s round the back of the stadium, you are provided with free hot drink, a quiz (a tad one sided) and sky tv which was all very nice, great to chat to proper fans who have like my husband and I travelled the lenghths an breathes of the British Isles following our clubs.This room is open from 12-30 until kick off. Getting away from the ground after the match is shocking, but we knew this and were in no rush as we were heading back to the hotel we were staying in for two nights. There are two places one can watch the match from, there a eleveated platform for about three wheelchairs an then the rest are at pitch side, I wasn’t told about the elevated ones when I booked my ticket, luckily it wasn’t full so could site near our friends. The stewards we helpful in the ground, but when looking for the disabled room before kick off lots of stewards had been drafted in from Swindon and didn’t know anything about this room.

  • Heather Whitehead, who attended Huddersfield Town
    6 years ago

    I’ll be travelling to Bournemouth in November for their game against my beloved Huddersfield Town an would like to point out that HTFC fans purchase our tickets from our own ticket office, I’ve been twice before and never collected them from anyone. Also never had any problems with stewards eiher standing in front of us or not being friendly, on one occasion I was given yes given not leant for the game a blanket to keep my legs warm as it was a bitter cold day, always been treat with the utmost respect.

  • Anne Hyde, who attended Bournemouth v Arsenal
    7 years ago

    I’m sorry to say that our visit was marred by poor stewarding and many of our wheelchair supporters were frightened for their safety.

    Firstly there was noone to assist us to our seats and we had to fight through the number of fans at the front. It would have been helpful if one of the stewards helped us to our seats and that the fans are stopped from congregating at the front to watch the team warm up.

    The problem largely arose when Arsenal equalised and many fans ran down the aisles to the front to celebrate. My husband stood in front of me to shield me from the manic supporters and I also asked stewards to help as I feared for my own safety and of those around me. To my astonishment I was blanked by the stewards. I asked a policeman for help and he said it was the stewards responsibility although he did stand near me to act as a shield. Half a dozen or so wheelchair and elderly supporters later advised me they were knocked by the jubilant celebrating fans.

    On several occasions many of the wheelchair supporters had to ask the stewards, police and supporters throught the match to move so that they could see. For some they had extremely poor views and they refused to move.

    After the match I asked a steward why they did not stop the fans invading the front by manning the aisles. He said they never had this trouble before but in the same breath said they stopped stewarding the aisles because they got squashed! A steward also implied that only Arsenal fans invade the front which I find hard to believe. It is also extremely worrying that one of the stewards said to one father that if he was that concerned about safety he should not bring his wheelchair bound son to the match. One mother had to protect her son from a fan trying to lean over him.

    Bournemouth need to look very seriously at the area provided for disabled supporters before someone gets seriously hurt. Currently the area is not fit for purpose.

    On a positive note I was again pleased with the hospitality extended to us before the match which once again was friendly and welcoming in the Disability Lounge.

  • Steven Powell, who attended AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal
    7 years ago

    The away supporters’ wheelchair positions are all at pitch level which I hate. Wheelchair entrance has no sign. The dropped counter at the rereshment counter is neithrr marked nor served by a staff member. It was piled up with boxes.

    For the last ten minutes of the game away wheelchair fans’ views were obstructed by police and stewards standing. They refused repeated requests to move.

    Completely unacceptable.

  • Harry tomlin, who attended Bournemouth v Middlesbrough
    8 years ago

    Afcb have until now , given ambulant disabled supporters in receipt of DLA higher rate care or mobility component, discounted tickets and a free ticket for personal assistant. After promotion to premier league I was told by ticket supervisor that for next season 2015/16 there will be no price reduction and only those with care component will get free assistant ticket and was told ” we were told by level playing field we are not allowed to discount tickets for disabled supporters”. This is a retrograde step and is a total misuse of level playing field advisory role. I hope lpf can clarify as the club will not budge. The club are using lpf to justify a moneygrab and are discriminating against those with only the mobility component who need an assistant .in my case it is because of walking , seeing and balance problems due to arthritis in the spine.

  • Morgan Parry, who attended Bournemouth v BWFC (2 November 2013)
    10 years ago

    The trip – my first time to AFC Bournemouth’s Goldsands Stadium – was a good one as far as access and the result were concerned. A 2-0 win for Bolton. Travel Travelling to the away grounds is easy now because I will travel in one of the Official BWFC Supporters’ Coaches. We used to travel by car and sometimes by train but now Bolton Wanderers have made sure that there is always an accessible coach which wheelchair users like me can use. It means that I travel with regular supporters which is great. At the Stadium When we arrived at the ground the coaches were parked very close to the entrance for Away Supporters and there were lots of stewards around to show me to the accessible entrance. It was raining on and off that morning so being close to the entrance meant we did not get wet going into the ground. We arrived early. We were able to walk all around the ground. It was all level access so we did not have to worry about steps. We visited the club shop which was accessible, although the racks were very close to each other so it was a little bit difficult to get through the shop. The doorman was very good – opening the door and making sure people made space for me to get in and out. Viewing The wheelchair spaces were pitchside and we were with all the Bolton fans. The view was quite good. It did not rain during the game so I don’t know if you would get wet if it did. I don’t think there were any raised platform areas which I prefer. The refreshment areas were accessible from the sitting area and the accessible toilet was close. Stewarding Overall the stewards and other staff were very friendly and helpful. The only disappointing part of the day was that two stewards came to sort out something and were standing in a place which blocked the view of a number of wheelchair users towards the end of the first half. When they were asked to move backwards a little they said ‘Just two minutes’. If I went to the cinema or to see a play I don’t think people would stand in your way like that. As Brian Clough said, ‘It only takes a second to score a goal’ so that was not good. Apart from that I think that Bournemouth was a good ground to visit.

  • J & J, who attended V's MK Dons 21/08/12
    11 years ago

    This was our second visit as away supporters this year. As I reported on our first trip, these comments should be read as a PS.

    On the basis of these two visits our impression of Bournemouth FC is that it has some really good facilities for disabled supports but these can sadly be spoilt by poor organisation. Having again arrived in a wheelchair accessible mini-bus which is part of our club’s official away transport, unlike 6 months ago when we parked with the other away coaches next to the away entrance, the stewards this time insisted we parked in the disabled parking at the front and furthest away from our entrance. (Thankfully our driver was subsequently allowed to move our bus.)

    During our subsequent attempt to reach the away entrance we discovered that although there is loads of disabled parking, there is no flat access all along the top of the car park adjacent to the stadium. When we asked why this was the steward conceded that this was a good question but one that he had never been asked previously. On reflection it seems the safest level exist from disabled parking to the stadium is from the short side adjacent to the entrance road.

    Bournemouth continues to allow wheelchair users and their PAs free tickets which they are to be commended for. The system of collecting them from the bar unfortunately was thrown into a bit of chaos on this particular evening, as Phil, who you collect them from, was not there. We were happy to comply with the suggestion to get a drink whilst we waited but a bit surprised that the person who served us did not seem to know the difference between a pint and half-pint glass or that Fosters was not cider. A steward did then come to give us our tickets but initially gave us ones for the home stand. It seems you need to check your tickets and your drinks!

    Perhaps most disappointingly, for the second time we have been told that a headset commentary will be made available for my visually impaired husband and for the second time no headset has been available. It is one thing for Clubs to not provide this service but to have the service and then repeatedly not make the headsets available for those who can derive much benefit from them seems unacceptable.

  • J and J, who attended Visited as away fans on 25/02/12
    12 years ago

    “Campus style” stadium, completely flat location, which is easily accessible from the M27. We travelled on our club’s official coach travel which is allowed to park at the rear of the stadium right outside the away fans entry which was excellent. That said, we then had to go round to the front of the stadium to collect our tickets from the disabled lision stewart Phil Tyrell who sits at the lst table on the left inside the club’s bar.

    Tickets were free for those on high rate DLA with a request for a donation. We were happy to do so. It sounded a bit of an odd arrangement but it worked on the day for us. Entrance is to an area under the stand which is where the standard accesible toilet is.

    As away wheelchair users we were seated at pitch level along the by-line, between the corner flag and the 18 yard box, in front of the front row of seats in the away end with carers sat at the side, making it very flexible and room for a fair number of wheelchair users. Stewards were very friendly and relaxed over where we sat. Unlike a lot of clubs, we were not apart from the other way fans at all, which is so good.

    We had the pleasure of some of the first sun of spring but it was right in our eyes for most of the match, so be sure to take your baseball caps – just in case. My husband is sight impaired and had requested a headset commentary. Unfortunately this was not available on the day but Phil apologised and insisted I have a free programe as compensation. Overall a good visit which we would happily repeat.

  • Rob Lewarne, who attended V's Colchester United (JPT Trophy)
    12 years ago

    I didn’t notice any specific wheelchair areas / spaces but sat in front of the first row of seating with my friends, who sat in the front row with me. Didn’t use the WC, so can’t comment (only that I did notice one!). Concessions have low counter at one end. Parking is at completely the opposite corner to the away stand.

  • Colin Hazelton, who attended V's Colchester United 03/11/2010
    12 years ago

    As Rob has said previous comment, you are located right at the front so, therefore, exposed to whatever the weather may be like (luckily it was a sunny Autumnal day when we played there) But at least you are in front of your own fans.

    The toilet was what you’d expect at grounds nowadays – spacious and clean.

    Disabled supporters tickets are bought in the entrance to ‘The Cherries’ (which is their Club bar) and free, although a donation is welcomed according to the bloke that I phoned beforehand. The main bugbear I found was in getting away from the ground as it added about another 45 minutes on the journey home.