Neighbors Call for Upgrade as Stadium Looks Like a Temporary Building

Homeowners living next to Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium, which has been ranked as the worst Premier League ground in a new study, are calling for an upgrade, stating that it looks like a temporary building. The study, conducted by The Athletic, rated all 20 Premier League stadiums based on factors such as appearance and matchday experience.

Size and Appearance Cited as Reasons for Low Ranking

Richard Jones, a resident living behind the stadium, attributed the low ranking to the small size of the 11,308-capacity ground. He suggested that if Bournemouth were still in the third tier, the stadium would rate higher. Other residents also mentioned that the stadium still looks temporary despite being renovated in 2001.

Mixed Opinions from Neighbors

While some residents agreed with the bottom-place rating, others felt that the stadium was not as bad as it was portrayed. Victoria Leamon commented on the good atmosphere and accessibility for fans, while Michael Veater stated that the stadium does not lack character or look temporary. Another resident mentioned that although the stadium may not be the prettiest, it is not off-putting.

Club Chairman Hopes to Build New Stadium or Redevelop Vitality

Club chairman Bill Foley expressed his hopes of building a new stadium or redeveloping the Vitality Stadium to increase its capacity to 20,000. The ground was previously damaged by Storm Eunice in 2020, causing a match against Nottingham Forest to be postponed.

Top-Ranked Stadium and Best Grounds Worldwide

Tottenham Hotspur's £1 billion stadium, which opened in 2019 and also hosts NFL matches and concerts, topped the table for the best Premier League stadium. However, in a separate study, venues such as Celtic Park, Wembley, and Manchester United's Old Trafford were ranked as some of the best grounds in the world based on atmosphere, cost of a pint, quality of food, and Google reviews.