AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Season Preview

AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Season Preview

Premier League Blog

AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Season Preview

Where Did Bournemouth Finish Last Season?

Bournemouth’s recent rise to the sharp end of English football has been rapid, with many claiming it was almost too rapid. How could their minimal budget, tiny stadium, and small club mentality keep up with the overachievement the club was seeing on the pitch.

Yet somehow the results just kept getting better. 12th in 2024. 9th the following year. Then, with many predicting regression, the recently departed Andoni Iraola instead took them to new highs, securing 6th place, qualifying for the Europa League, and thrusting Bournemouth onto the continental scene for the first time.

Though they may have lost their best weapon in Iraola, who has taken his talents to Liverpool, the club are now familiar with a winning mentality, and even with a new man at the helm in Marco Rose, much of the infrastructure left by Iraola will remain in place for a long time to come.

The Spaniard led them to the gates of the promised land, and the Cherries are on the brink of caving them in. But with stars being poached left, right and centre, limited cash, and a manager who has never coached in England, there are certainly some crinkles to iron out first.

Best Result: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool (Evanilson 26’, Jimenez 33’, Adli 90+5’; van Dijk 45’, Szoboszlai 80’).

Worst Result: Brentford 4-1 Bournemouth (Schade 7’, 51’, 90+6’, Petrovic OG 39’; Semenyo 75’).

Who Have Bournemouth Signed in the Summer Transfer Window So Far?

IN

Antonio Silva from Benfica - £26 Million

Alvaro Rodriguez from Elche – £21 Million

Alex Jimenez from AC Milan – £15 Million

Juanlu Sanchez from Sevilla - £11.1 Million

Michele Di Gregorio from Juventus - Season-Long Loan

Total Spent: £73.1 Million

OUT

Hamed Junior Traore to Marseille - £6.5 Million

Luis Sinisterra - £5.2 Million

Owen Bevan to Dundee – Undisclosed Fee

Will Dennis to MK Dons - Undisclosed Fee

Archie Harris to Wigan Athletic - Undisclosed Fee

Enes Unal to Getafe - Free Transfer

Ollie Morgan to Salisbury - Free Transfer

Ashley Clarke to Woking - Free Transfer

Noa Boutin to Inverness – Free Transfer

Michael Dacosta to Moreirense - Free Transfer

James Davies to UCNA Bulldogs – Free Transfer

Koby Mottoh to Moreirense - Free Transfer

Marcos Senesi to Tottenham - Free Transfer

Romain Faivre to Auxerre - Season-Long Loan

Zaine Silcott-Duberry to Rochdale – Season-Long Loan

Alex Jimenez to Fiorentina – Season-Long Loan

Alex Paulsen to Motherwell - Season-Long Loan

Alfie Merritt to Newport County - Season-Long Loan

Matai Akinmboni to Dundee - Season-Long Loan

Total Received: £11.7 Million

AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Squad List

Goalkeepers: Djordje Petrovic, Micehel Di Gregorio, Fraser Forster

Defenders: Julian Araujo, Adam Smith, Max Aarons, Bafode Diakite, Antonio Silva, James Hill, Veljko Milosavljevic, Adrian Truffert, Julio Soler, Juanlu Sanchez

Midfielders: Lewis Cook, Alex Scott, Ryan Christie, Tyler Adams, Alex Toth, Charlie Stevens, Ben Winterburn, Marcus Tavernier.

Attackers: Justin Kluivert, Junior Kroupi, David Brooks, Ben Gannon-Doak, Rayan, Remy Rees-Dottin, Amine Adli, Alvaro Rodriguez, Jonny Stuttle, Evanilson, Daniel Jebbison.

AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Home, Away and Third Kits

Home Kit

Away Kit

Third Kit

What is Bournemouth’s Opening Premier League Fixture?

Manchester City vs Bournemouth | Etihad Stadium, Manchester | Sunday, August 23rd, 14:00

How Can I Watch Manchester City vs Bournemouth?

TV coverage for the game is yet to be announced.

What Are Bournemouth’s First Five Fixtures?

  • Manchester City vs Bournemouth – Sunday, August 23rd.

  • Bournemouth vs Everton - Saturday, August 29th.

  • Newcastle vs Bournemouth – Saturday, September 5th.

  • Bournemouth vs Brentford – Saturday, September 12th.

  • Bournemouth vs Liverpool – Sunday, September 20th.

When Do Bournemouth Play Rivals Liverpool in 2026/27?

Without a proper local derby, Bournemouth’s rivalries for the upcoming season are limited. Liverpool stand as the most obvious competitive rival, having poached Andoni Iraola from the club at the end of last season. The Cherries will be desperate to one up their former manager, and will be encouraged by the fact that they beat the Reds 3-2 in their last outing.

  • Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth | Sunday, September 20th

  • Liverpool vs Bournemouth | Anfield, Liverpool | Sunday, May 30th

Last Five Meetings:

  • 24/01/26: Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool (Premier League)

  • 15/08/25: Liverpool 4-2 Bournemouth (Premier League)

  • 01/02/25: Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (Premier League)

  • 21/09/24: Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth (Premier League)

  • 21/01/24: Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool (Premier League)

Who is Bournemouth’s Manager for the 2025/26 Season?

Marco Rose

Even we weren’t particularly familiar with Marco Rose prior to the German’s appointment on the south coast. We knew he managed in the Bundesliga, and that he had a generally attractive style of play while in charge of RB Leipzig, but that was the vast majority of our knowledge.

However, other things about his management style have since come to life, and the more that is revealed about him, the more suited to Bournemouth he seems to become.

High pressing, his sides are extremely active off the ball, never allowing the opponent time to relax, and when in possession, Rose’s ethos is minimising any given path to goal. In other words, extremely direct.

No wonder the board opted for him to replace the ever-popular Iraola - it was virtually a like for like swap, with the player’s virtually knowing the German’s style of play inside out already but for a few small differences. Though it is far too early to be making assumptions, Rose looks set to be a success.

Who is Bournemouth’s Player to Watch?

Rayan

Still just 19 years old, the Brazilian winger made an instant impact upon his arrival at the Cherries in January, effectively replacing the goals and assists taken away by the Manchester City-bound Antoine Semenyo.

Five goals and two assists in 15 games was even enough to earn a call up to the Brazil side for the World Cup, where he played four times, and notched an assist. Beating the likes of Joao Pedro and Willian Estevao to the call-up, Bournemouth look to have a certified star on their hands.

A physical beast with a rapid turn of pace, excellent positioning and instinct for one so inexperienced, and growing into Premier League football with every game, Rayan could explode at any given time, and alongside Junior Kroupi, represents massive potential profit when Bournemouth eventually sell.

AFC Bournemouth 2026/27 Season Prediction

Unlike last summer, the Cherries have managed to retain the majority of their key players, with the exit of Marcos Senesi to Tottenham the only serious blow. Because of European football, players actually want to stay, and moreover, the club have increased draw, vastly increasing the number of players they could potentially sign.

Having already secured Alvaro Rodriguez for extra striker depth, Bournemouth a centre-back and perhaps a midfielder away from having the potential to go deep in Europe this season.

Their European obligations will likely see domestic form suffer, with many of the players mentally unprepared for the added fatigue that comes with the extra fixtures, but as long as they bring in the relevant players and, more importantly buy into Marco Rose’s vision, they’ll have a successful season.

They are extremely unlikely to qualify for Europe again though, and if they come close, it will be through the Europa League and not the Premier League.

Football Park’s Prediction: 14th

Harry Pascoe
Harry Pascoe Lead Writer

Harry Pascoe - Lead Content Writer

Harry is an NCTJ-certified journalist and the longest-serving writer at Football Park. With a career that includes contributions to Goal.com and the Mail on Sunday, he has built a strong reputation for thoughtful analysis, sharp reporting, and an authentic passion for the game.

A lifelong Chelsea fan, Harry combines a deep understanding of the sport with an appreciation for its emotional heartbeat — from the glamour of the Premier League and the intensity of international tournaments to the gritty community spirit of non-league football.

Over the years, Harry has covered tactical deep dives, player interviews, and opinion pieces that resonate with readers across all levels of the football pyramid. Whether reporting from the stands or writing from the office, Harry brings a unique voice that captures the essence of the world’s most loved sport.

Harry Pascoe on LinkedIn

View all articles by Harry Pascoe →

Related Articles

SEE MORE
The Nations League is Over - The Biggest Results and What They Mean
Joe Ryan Journalist

The Nations League is Over - The Biggest Results and What They Mean

The Nations League is Over - The Biggest Results and What They Mean After 17 longest international break in the history ...
Lionel Messi Enjoys Emotional Farewell Match Whilst Ronaldo Goes Out in a Blaze of Tears
Louis Wheeldon Journalist

Lionel Messi Enjoys Emotional Farewell Match Whilst Ronaldo Goes Out in a Blaze of Tears

Messi vs Ronaldo's Brutal End Anyone who has not been living under a rock for the last 20 years or so will be all-too aw...
Humphrey Ker’s Wrexham Has Left Me Worried About Behind the Scenes
Jac Jones Journalist

Humphrey Ker’s Wrexham Has Left Me Worried About Behind the Scenes

Ker Departure Leaves Void and Worries Humphrey Ker has recently left Wrexham in all capacities, and I’m not going to lie...