Bosuilstadion

Antwerp - BelgiumBelgium

Bosuilstadion in Antwerp is a historic football stadium and home to Royal Antwerp FC since 1923. Known locally as “Den Bosuil,” it combines century-old architecture with modern renovations. Hosting up to 16,144 fans today—soon being expanded to 21,000—it remains a key venue for Belgian football. Discover its storied past, structure, fan culture, and matchday access.

About this place

History

Bosuilstadion, located in the Deurne district of Antwerp, opened on November 1, 1923. It has been the home of Royal Antwerp FC (nicknamed “The Great Old”) ever since. Originally built to seat approximately 38,000 spectators, it later hosted key matches including the 1964 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final replay and a UEFA Euro 1972 semi-final. Major renovations took place over the decades, with significant stand rebuilds in 1937, 1956, 1991, 2001, 2013–15, and from 2017 to 2021. As of May 2025, the east stand is being replaced with a temporary structure to increase capacity to around 21,000.

Description

The stadium currently holds 16,144 spectators, including 800 indoor VIP seats. It features a grass pitch and retains its four-stand layout—West, East, North, and South—each rebuilt or renovated with modern safety standards. The atmosphere, historically known as the “Hell of Deurne,” remains intense, especially during European and high-profile domestic matches.

What is “Den Bosuil”?

“Den Bosuil” — Dutch for “The Eagle Owl” — is the stadium’s local nickname. It reflects its location in Bosuil (“owl’s forest”) and embodies the fierce atmosphere generated by Royal Antwerp’s fans.

Records

The stadium once held up to 60,000 spectators during its mid-20th century peak. It was a major venue for the Belgium national team until the late 1970s. After downsizing and redevelopment, the capacity has settled at 16,144. With the current stand expansion underway, capacity will rise to approximately 21,000 by late 2025.

Address

Oude Bosuilbaan 54A,
2100 Deurne, Belgium

GPS

Lat : 51.2325801
Lng : 4.471736

Who's play in Bosuilstadion

Where to Sit

The seating consists of four main stands:

  • West Stand: 5,600 seats, including boxes and restaurant.
  • East Stand: older structure (7,760 seats, ~6,810 usable).
  • North Stand: 2,992 seats.
  • South Stand: 800 premium seats.

Temporary east stand replacement to be added in 2025, boosting capacity and modernizing facilities.

Can I visit outside matchdays?

No public tours are available; access is restricted outside of official events.