Bournemouth has achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for European football for the first time, preparing to host a minimum of four matches at the Vitality Stadium next season. The Cherries will compete in the league phase of either the Champions League or Europa League, with the specific tournament determined on the final day of the Premier League season.

The Vitality Stadium, with a capacity of around 11,300, is the smallest in the Premier League, lacking over 6,000 seats compared to the next smallest venue. If Bournemouth qualifies for the Champions League, it would mark one of the smallest stadiums in recent history to host such matches.

Despite online speculation, Bournemouth has confirmed to BBC Sport that they possess the necessary Uefa licence to host league phase matches in either competition. This is crucial, as teams without the appropriate licensing often relocate their home games to venues that meet Uefa's requirements.

For context, during the 2024-25 season, Welsh side The New Saints played their home Conference League fixtures at Shrewsbury Town's ground, while Union Berlin had to host their Champions League matches at the home of rivals Hertha Berlin the previous season. Bournemouth’s commitment to fulfilling their European fixtures at their home ground marks a significant achievement for the club.