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AFC Bournemouth

AFC Bournemouth is a professional football club based in Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth in Dorset, England.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

AFC Bournemouth is a professional football club based in Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. Founded in 1899, the club competes in the Premier League and has played its home matches at Dean Court, known commercially as the Vitality Stadium, since 1910. It is nicknamed "The Cherries."

History

AFC Bournemouth began in 1899 as Boscombe and later became Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic before taking its current name in 1971. It joined the Football League in 1923 and has spent much of its history in the lower divisions, with periods in higher tiers more recently.

Stadium

The club’s home ground is Dean Court in Boscombe, which has been used for home matches since 1910. The stadium is also known as the Vitality Stadium for sponsorship reasons.

Nickname and identity

The club is commonly known as "The Cherries." The name AFC Bournemouth is the club’s current official name and it is usually referred to simply as Bournemouth in football coverage.

Recent status

AFC Bournemouth competes in the Premier League. Its recent seasons have established it as a regular presence in the top flight of English football.

Key facts

  • The club was formed in 1899 and later adopted the name AFC Bournemouth in 1971.
  • It is based in Kings Park, Boscombe, within Bournemouth, Dorset.
  • AFC Bournemouth has played at Dean Court since 1910.
  • The club competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
  • Its nickname is "The Cherries."
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Canadian context

AFC Bournemouth is of interest to Canadian readers through Premier League coverage, Canadian sports broadcasting, and the global following of English football.

Frequently asked questions

What is AFC Bournemouth?
AFC Bournemouth is a professional football club from Bournemouth, Dorset, England, that plays in the Premier League.
When was AFC Bournemouth founded?
The club was founded in 1899, originally as Boscombe.
Where does AFC Bournemouth play home matches?
It plays home matches at Dean Court, also known as the Vitality Stadium.
What is AFC Bournemouth's nickname?
The club is nicknamed "The Cherries."
When did the club adopt its current name?
The club adopted the name AFC Bournemouth in 1971.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Bournemouth
    Supports: Founding date, location, nickname, home ground, current name adoption, league, and general club history.
  2. FootballHistory.org — https://www.footballhistory.org/club/bournemouth.html
    Supports: Founding as Boscombe, Football League entry in 1923, home ground since 1910, and name changes.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-32497257
    Supports: Premier League promotion and historical context.
  4. Goal.com — https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/bwrnmwth/1pse9ta7a45pi2w2grjim70ge
    Supports: Club naming history and stadium identity.