Bournemouth awarded Category One status after winning appeal

The original rejection centred mainly on a lack of full-sized grass pitches. Bournemouth currently have just four — three for the first team and one shared by the Under-21s and Under-18s for home matches — against a common Cat 1 benchmark of six pitches plus a dedicated floodlit show pitch and goalkeeper area.

There were also some staffing gaps identified at the time of the audit, including the absence of an Academy doctor, a full-time psychologist and sufficient numbers of coaches holding Advanced Youth Award or A Licences.

In appealing, Bournemouth argued that other clubs had been upgraded without having full facilities in place at the time of audit — pointing to their own promotion to Category Two in the summer of 2023, which came despite the club’s new indoor dome not yet being complete.

The specific grounds on which the Professional Game Board has now ruled in the Cherries’ favour have not been made public.

The award comes just four years after Bournemouth were in Cat 3, and follows the opening of the club’s new £32m training ground in March — a 57-acre site at Canford Magna featuring a 6,000 square-metre indoor dome, medical, fitness, sports science and rehabilitation facilities, offices and a press conference theatre, shared by the men’s, women’s and Academy teams.

Owner and Chairman Bill Foley said: “From the very beginning, our ambition has been to build a football club that can compete sustainably at the highest level, and a world-class Academy is central to that vision. Achieving Category One status within just four years of being in Category Three demonstrates the progress we are making both on and off the pitch.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our Academy staff, players, families and everyone across the club who has contributed to this achievement. Their commitment has created an environment where young players can develop, thrive and aspire to represent AFC Bournemouth’s first team.

“While today is an important milestone, it is only the beginning. We will continue investing in our people, our facilities and our pathway, ensuring the Academy plays a vital role in the future success of the club for many years to come.”

Head of Academy Sam Gisborne added: “This is a really proud moment for everyone connected with the club and our Academy. Gaining Category One status is a significant milestone in the club’s history and is recognition of the commitment, hard work and ambition that so many people have shown over a number of years. This achievement belongs to every member of staff, player and parent across the football club who has helped us on this journey.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but we keep moving forward and we are not done. Category One just gives us an even stronger platform to achieve our goals and it doesn’t change who we are or what we believe in.

“This was key for our football strategy as a football club. We now have access for our players to play against the best, and challenge ourselves week in, week out. We will be able to explore other exciting avenues to continue to develop our Academy too.

“Thank you to Bill Foley and Tiago Pinto, as well as everyone at the club, for all their support. We’re thoroughly looking forward to the challenge and what comes next.”

Category One status will apply from the 2026/27 season, giving Bournemouth’s Academy an expanded games programme against the strongest opposition, greater access to Premier League and EFL competitions, and increased support across player development, education and performance.

The club’s plans for a second phase of development at Canford Magna, including further grass pitches, remain ongoing without a confirmed timeline. Bournemouth were ranked 49th in TGG’s latest Academy Productivity Rankings (2024/25), up from 51st the previous season.