Matchday schedule: Liverpool (H)

The game kicks off at 3pm and you are strongly advised to arrive at least one hour before kick-off to avoid any potential queues as all supporters and bags will be searched prior to entering the ground. Please do not bring a bag with you unless absolutely necessary. 

This game is dedicated to Stonewall UK's Rainbow Laces campaign. To highlight the importance of inclusion, the rainbow colours will feature around Vitality Stadium so look out for the rainbow welcome mat supplied by the PL, Coca-Cola and Stonewall, flagbearers, colourful stewards and the launch of the club’s Allies initiative, with free rainbow crest pin badges on offer to supporters. 

As we have lots of fixture activity over the Christmas period and the ground will be increasingly busy, we ask supporters to be vigilant and if you see anything that makes you feel uneasy, please do talk to a steward, no matter how small you think it may be. 

Here’s a list of what is open at the stadium ahead of kick-off so that you can plan your matchday. 

9am TICKET OFFICE OPEN

Supporters can collect their tickets for the Liverpool game from 9am at one of the collection windows.

Tickets for our next home game against Burnley is currently at all tickets issued, Burnley returns will be made available from 11am on Friday 20th of December to supporters with 1+ Home Cherries point. AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal are currently at all tickets issued and the first home game of the new year against Watford is currently on sale to supporters with 18+ Home Cherries Points.

Tickets for our away match against West Ham are currently on sale to supporters with 10+ Away Cherries Points, whilst our away fixture with Chelsea is on sale to supporters with 1+ Home, Away or Cup point. We still have tickets available for our away game against Brighton and that fixture is now on general sale.

For sale and Cherries Points information click here.

The ticket office stays open 20 minutes after the final whistle.

9am SUPERSTORE OPEN

Get festive with AFCB! We have our official club calendar & annual bundle available for £15, along with festive jumpers, advent calendars and a range of winter hats, scarfs and gloves!

The Superstore will also remain open 20 minutes after the final whistle.

9am CAR PARK OPEN

The South Stand car park, behind the stadium, costs just £1 to park; it does fill up roughly 75 minutes prior to kick-off so arrive early and please be aware it may take up to 45 minutes to clear after the game.  However, you can now leave via the south of the car park to exit Kings Park along Gloucester Road and so miss the traffic along Kings Park Drive.

For free parking just a 10-minute walk from the ground, Avonbourne Boys Academy (Formerly Harewood College) is open from 11.30am – here’s a link on google maps. The club’s allocated facility is located at the end of the drive, past the mini roundabout,. If you are using a SatNav, please refrain from using the postcode and instead use ‘Harewood Avenue’. Please note this car park is locked 45 minutes after the full-time whistle.  Users are asked to ensure they keep to the maximum speed limits displayed.

Alternative parking can be found at Sovereign Shopping Centre for £2 for four hours or £4 for 24 hours  - here’s a link from google maps

Any Blue Badge or other drivers who have previously parked along Kings Park Drive should note that there are now enforceable parking restrictions along that road.  These have been requested to ensure a safer and quicker exit from the ground post-match.  The parking restriction is enforceable by the local authority’s civil enforcement officers and can incur a fine of £70.  The club will try to accommodate any blue badge holders who may have previously used this section of the road in its South Car Park, although this cannot be guaranteed.  Thank you in advance for your support and co-operation with observing the new parking guidelines.

Any drivers who do not park in the available car parks should please respect local residents’ driveways and relevant parking restrictions. Enforcement officers are active on matchdays.

12pm 1910 BAR OPEN

This is located next to the media entrance in the Vitality Main Stand and is for home supporters only.

This bar is a great place to meet prior to the game but it does get busy, so bear this in mind as there may be a queue.

As well as our bar food range, you can also enjoy our bistro area with table service and a tasty variety of hot dishes, freshly prepared.  There is no need to book in advance, just arrive and wait to be seated.

The 1910 is open after the game for an hour and a half for drinks and to catch up on all of the day’s scores, while allowing the traffic from the ground to ease.

12pm GREAT ESCAPE BAR OPEN

The Great Escape is a good outdoors alternative and is located outside of the Superstore.  Again, available to home supporters, the bar serves a range hot food and drinks.  Last orders are at 2.15pm and the bar closes 15 minutes later.  It does not re-open post-match.

12pm NORTH STAND KIOSK

Available prior to turnstiles opening for a wide range of hot food and soft/hot drinks – try our handmade pies – they’re very tasty as are our special recipe burgers.

12.30pm DC LOUNGE OPEN

This is open to both home and visiting disabled supporters pre-match and is based on the ground floor and first floor of the Vitality East Stand – where supporters can pit their wits in a Cherries quiz prior to kick-off, enjoy a free hot beverage and review the team sheets once available.

12.30pm FANZONE OPEN

Our popular Junior Fanzone is located in the Vitality main stand and will be open from 12:30pm until just before 2pm. This area is open to all under 16 fans both home and away.  We have a variety of games and activities including the Strikezone, Xboxes and face painting. It is also a great opportunity to grab your Junior Cherries meal deal before the rush!

1.30pm TURNSTILES OPEN

Supporters can take their seats from 1.30pm excepting Gate B where entry is available from 1 hour before kick-off.   Please bear in mind that for supporters’ own safety, there will be 100% searches of every single supporter as well as bag searching/tagging. Please don’t bring a bag unless you absolutely need to and ensure you arrive at least 1 hour prior to kick-off to avoid delays.

Get inside the ground early to make the most of our meal deal which is a pie, burger or hot dog, chocolate bar and a pint for £7, although due to licensing restrictions, alcohol is not available in the south stand. All stands offer a soft/hot drink option for £6 for the bundle and all meal deals are available throughout once inside the ground.

The Junior Cherries meal deal is great value at just £2.50 when you present your JC membership card.

As stated earlier, please arrive early for the game to ensure entry before kick-off.

2pm PRE-MATCH ENTERTAINMENT

Get into your seat early and be in the running for a signed Steve Cook shirt – man of the match at our last game. All you have to do is enter the ground 45 minutes prior to kick-off and you’re automatically entered into the prize draw.

Our themed matchday is supporting Rainbow Laces, AFC Bournemouth is proud to be continuing its support for Rainbow Laces and will be showcasing the wide-ranging work the club does to support and celebrate LGBT communities.

The nominated Fans Champion is Chris Billam-Smith, the boxer, who is a huge Cherries fan.  He will deliver the match ball to the Premier League plinth just before kick-off so be sure to give them a big round of applause.

3pm KICK-OFF

Our game with Liverpool gets underway, so let’s cheer the squad to three points!