With plans being developed for a new stadium for AFC Bournemouth, we're taking a salivating look at what the future might have in store for our club. We've scoured the world for what we feel are best stadia with a capacity broadly within the club's stated range - around 20,000, give or take a few. We're going to talk about what we like about them, what features we think can be incorporated into a new stadium for us - and where they could be improved. A new entry in the top 10 will be published every few days until we've completed our countdown - and then we'll collate it all into one post for posterity. At number two on our list is the largest stadium that we have included. At a capacity of 26,000 it's significantly above the suggested initial capacity that we can expect for a new stadium at AFC Bournemouth. It was a little touch and go as to whether it should be included or not - but ultimately this list is about inspiration and ideas and they are here in abundance. At every home game, the supporters of FC Cincinnati march to the stadium together through the streets of the city, picking up more and more supporters as the march passes past bars throughout the city. Before they even arrive at the stadium, the supporters have already created an atmosphere - and atmosphere was the central design goal given to the team that created the TQL Stadium. The result is touted as offering the best atmosphere in the MLS. Central to this is the 3,150 strong single-tier safe standing 'Bailey' at the north end of the ground which the marchers fill on arrival. With a 34 degree rake it creates a wall of support behind the home team's goal. The safe standing block is completely white, making it stand out boldly from the blue seating of the rest of the stadium. The stadium was designed by the architects Populous, the same agency responsible for the Allianz Field and the safe standing area has a similar shape - but with the corners already filled in next to it, showing how the Minnesota venue could end up looking following expansion. Above the stand hangs the biggest screen in US football, spanning almost the entire width of the block at 151 feet by 23 feet in height. The east and south stands are split tier stands with boxes between the stands with another giant screen meeting the join between east and south stands measuring 50 feet wide by 23 feet high. Across all of the north, south and east stands, the closest spectators are 18.5 feet from the touchline. 17% of the seats at TQL field are premium hospitality which is one of the biggest proportions of seating allocated to premium payers in the MLS. Were it not for the larger capacity of the stadium allowing for more affordable seats, we'd love this stadium a little less as a result. The west stand hosts the majority of the 4,500 premium seats and 53 suites as well as the club's corporate offices. The stadium features a sensory room for supporters that need to remove themselves from the noise of the stands and a dedicated private area for nursing mothers to feed their children. There are four premium club spaces in the stadium - each designed to offer a distinct feel and character, ranging from a $1000 per season ticket to $10000. As with other new MLS stadia, the aim has been to provide a space to cater for all needs and budgets from the affordable to the luxurious. There is no exterior wrap on TQL stadium, rather a series of shaped fins adorn its exterior. On the eastern side, each fin is covered with LED lights, a total of 2.7 miles of lighting which allows the whole stadium facade on this side to be used as an enormous screen for displays and light shows. TQL Stadium is a complete football venue, designed around a passionate supporter base and putting the creation of an atmosphere at the heart of the design. It's possibly a little larger than we can expect our new stadium to be at first construction - but something of this order could be what our new home grows into as our club expands. <iframe class="yt_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J61EzG2ZQq0" title="TQLStadium" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> ✅ Huge safe standing bank behind the goal ✅ Steep stands around the rest of the stadium ✅ Enough seats to provide plenty of affordable seats alongside premium offerings ❎ A little less uniform seat patterning across the eastern and southern sides ❎ The pitch level VIP area at the south end goal impinges on regular fans2. TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
What we like
What we'd change