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. St Louis City are the only majority female-owned club in the MLS. A brand new club in the latest round of expansion, they joined the MLS in 2023. The 22,423 capacity home stadium CITYPARK was purpose built for the new club and opened in November 2022. The stadium is situated in the Downtown West area of the City, at the end of a corridor of open space that leads to the city's landmark Gateway Arch. The site on which the stadium sits also houses the team's training ground, the club's corporate offices - all the facilities are located on the single 31 acre site. There are four distinct stands to the stadium, all split tier but no two identical. The north stand behind the goal has 3000 safe standing places at the maximum rake permitted by MLS rules. The upper tier is seated and occupies about 1/3 of the height of the stand. There is a drum stand and capo stands for chant leaders - and 257 feet of Tifo rigging to assist with pre-match displays. The south end of the stadium is seated, and the upper tier is topped by a dual aspect glass pavilion that is home to the supporters' 'Ultra club' and food and drink outlets and offers panoramic views of both the pitch and the city. The east stand is a simple two tier all seater stand while the west stand hosts the majority of the corprate hospitality boxes and VIP seating areas. The stadium is not wrapped and the roof canopy is suspended above the stands which makes the city visible from the seats and vice versa. The theme of connection between the club and the city runs strongly throughout the design and the club's philosophy alike. The pitch sits 40 feet below street level, meaning the stands do not dominate their surroundings and sit comfortably in their urban neighbourhood. The open design gives an impression of a no-frills stadium, but nothing could be further from the truth. The stadium features cutting edge technology in its grab and go stores - there are no tills, fans just pick up what they want from shelves and leave - their accounts automatically debited with the value of the goods they've taken. Most supporters are in and out in 30 seconds. There are dozens of different distinct food outlets throughout the stadium offering a variety of street foods and treats - a truly diverse array on offer - and all provided by local restaurants in a scheme the club call City Flavor. Food and drink inside the stadium reflecting the diversity of its communuity and sharing the benefits with local businesses. A pioneering scheme which sets the matchday experience for fans apart in a way that is representative of the city. Where we were critical of the balance between hospitality and regular supporter at Columbus, St Louis nails it. That doesn't mean there isn't the full gamut of hospitality available - there are several tiers of available in different clubs or lounges. The VIP Pitch club sits between the two dressing rooms and all the players pass through the lounge on their way to and from the pitch, mingling with 450 well heeled fans before and after the match. Above the Pitch club another 1000 capacity lounge. On a matchday the plaza around the stadium is open to all and features live music and entertainment with the goal of creating a party event for the whole city at every home game and this continual effort to integrate stadium, club and community makes CITYPARK an enviable venue. ✅ The integration of local businesses into the stadium is fantastic ✅ Big safe standing area ✅ Club philosophy of being part of its community embodied in its stadium ❎ The open stands are great - but Missouri in the winter? It's going to get cold. ❎ The south end pavilion is too impactful on available seating in the bowl ❎ Just make the north a whole bank of safe standing, lose the top tier4. CITYPARK, St Louis, USA
What we like:
What we'd change