Set against a backdrop of stunning greenery, Chapel Gate is home to over 20 outdoor sports pitches.

These include a selection of football, hockey, rugby and cricket pitches – all of which are frequently tended to by the Chapel Gate grounds team to keep them in the best condition.

Our latest addition is the BU Community Pitch; a supersize Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP), complemented by a shock pad installation. This means it can be used for a range of sports including football, rugby, lacrosse and American football. 

On 23 November 2023, the BU Community Pitch officially opened. Funded by a £1.7m grant, it’s available for hire to community groups, schools and local residents, as well as being played on by TeamBU – our performance sport teams. Read about the official opening.

Football pitches

Home to Bournemouth Sports Football Club, Chapel Gate’s 22 grass football pitches cater for all football games (junior, men’s and women’s) and include seven full-size football pitches. They also play host to BU teams, including matches against Solent University at the annual Varsity event.

Chapel Gate football pitch
A shot from one of our Varsity matches, in which Performance Sport teams compete with Solent University teams in front of crowds from both institutions
A shot from one of our Varsity matches, in which Performance Sport teams compete with Solent University teams in front of crowds from both institutions

Rugby pitches

Image of Bournemouth University students playing rugby during Varsity 2023

Home to Bournemouth Rugby Club (or Bournemouth Lions as they are known), Chapel Gate’s three full-size rugby pitches and two mini pitches are played on by a range of age groups including seniors, colts, touch, and youth sections.

TeamBU Rugby – BU’s performance sport rugby team – also play here during term time in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) rugby league.

Cricket pitches

Image of Bournemouth University students playing cricket

Home to Bournemouth Cricket Club, Chapel Gate offers two grass cricket pitches (one of which is gold-level accredited) and one artificial pitch for the club’s teams (men’s, women’s, youth and Bournemouth Softball Ladies) to train and play on.

The artificial pitch, in particular, allows bowlers to practice their swing and spin, enhancing their skill and technique.

Hockey pitches

Image of Bournemouth University students playing cricket during Varsity 2022

Home to Bournemouth Hockey Club’s 21 senior and junior teams, Chapel Gate has two hockey pitches; one of which is a full-size, sand-dressed, floodlit pitch (so that training and games can carry on into the evening).

The second full-size hockey pitch is also used for football and lacrosse training, extending its use across the various sports clubs at Chapel Gate.