Bournemouth Women to play Manchester City at Snows Stadium

Fixture moved to Snow’s Stadium

AFC Bournemouth Women face Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday 18th January, in what promises to be one of the highest-profile fixtures in the club’s history.

The club will stage the game at Snows Stadium, home of AFC Totton, after confirming it would not hold the match at the Vitality Stadium.

In a statement on their website, AFC Bournemouth said:

The option of Vitality Stadium was explored but a decision has been taken in order to protect and maintain the pitch during a challenging time of year.

Snows Stadium, the chosen venue for the tie, holds around 3,500 spectators, significantly fewer than the Vitality Stadium’s 11,307. Large crowds have attended previous high-profile matches, including October’s 2–1 win over Oxford United, which drew more than 5,000 supporters.

While the reduced capacity at Totton limits the number of fans who can attend, the fixture represents a landmark moment for the team as they continue to grow both competitively and commercially. It also highlights the increasing interest in women’s football locally, as more high-profile matches attract attention beyond the league.

FA Cup Progress

Bournemouth’s FA Cup journey so far has seen them secure convincing victories in the opening rounds. The Cherries recorded a comprehensive 11–0 win over Millbrook in the first round, before following up with a 7–1 away win at Leyton Orient in the second.

Most recently, the women’s team hosted Fulham LFC and won 5–0, securing their place in this fourth-round tie against top-flight opposition and showcasing their development over the season.

Manchester City arrive as one of the favourites to lift the Women’s FA Cup, having established themselves as a consistent threat in the Women’s Super League.

The club challenge regularly at the top end of the domestic game and maintain a strong record in cup competitions. Previously, City lifted the Cup three times, most recently in 2020, and navigate the latter stages of knockout competitions with experience. Their involvement brings increased attention to the fixture.

The game offers The Cherries a chance to test themselves against one of the strongest sides in women’s football and marks a defining moment in Bournemouth Women’s FA Cup history.

By Ruby Jarrett