Bournemouth have qualified for European football for the first time in their history,. next season and will host a minimum of four European matches at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries will feature in the league phase of either the Champions League or Europa League. with the exact competition to be decided on the final day of the Premier League season.
At a capacity of around 11,300 people. the club's stadium is the smallest in the Premier League by more than 6,000 seats, meaning that it would rank among the smallest stadiums in recent history to host Champions League matches should they qualify for the tournament.
While some speculation online suggests otherwise. Bournemouth have told BBC Sport that they have the necessary Uefa licence to host league phase matches in either competition.
In circumstances where teams' home stadiums do not have the necessary licence to host matches. they will often use nearby grounds that do meet Uefa's requirements in order to fulfill fixtures.
During the 2024-25 season, Welsh side The New Saints played their home Conference League fixtures at Shrewsbury Town's ground.
A season earlier. German side Union Berlin had to play their Champions League matches at the home of city rivals Hertha Berlin for the same reason.
Send us your questions
Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium will host European football for the first time next season
All stadia are given a rating between category one and category four by Uefa, with four being the highest.
From the play-off qualifying round onwards of the Champions League, Europa League. Conference League, venues must have category four status.
Requirements for a category four stadium range from facilities for referees and media companies to the size of the stadium. All category four grounds must have a spectator capacity of at least 8,000, which the Vitality Stadium does meet.
Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt. who reached the quarter-finals of this season's Champions League, have category four stadium status despite a capacity only fractionally over Uefa's 8,000 minimum requirement.
The list of requirements to pass category four status is extensive, but include all of the following stipulations:
A pitch of dimensions of 105mx68m that includes automated under-soil pitch irrigation system and pitch heating and/or pitch cover
Benches for both teams that consist of 20 seats. are at least 4m from the touchline and with an unobstructed view of the entire field of play
Minimum of 8,000 seats for spectators, with at least 5% being made available to away fans
Stadia must be able to provide for 80% of spectators being male. have one seated toilet and sink per 250 male spectators and one unrinal per 125 male spectators
Stadia must be able to provide for 25% of spectators being female. have one seated toilet and sink per 120 female spectators in the home sector, as well as one seated toilet and sink per 80 female spectators in the visiting sector
All public entrances must be equipped with turnstiles. an electronic ticket system designed to prevent counterfeit tickets with one turnstile for every 660 spectators
At least 100 VIP seats
At least 150 parking spaces for VIPs, other guests and staff
At least 60 seats for working media inside the stadium
At least two broadcast studio rooms
It is not unusual for clubs to have to make adaptations before a season in. they require upgraded stadium facilities when qualifying for a new competition.
Before their first Premier League season. Luton Town were forced tospend around £10mto get their Kenilworth Road stadium in line with Premier League regulations.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport'sAsk Me Anythingteam.
What is at stake on final day of Premier League season?
When are Arsenal and Manchester City's parades?
How would Aston Villa winning Europa League impact Champions League places?
Who has qualified for next season's Champions League?
Discussion
Sign in to join the thread, react, and share images.