Bosuilstadion

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.

Architectural Features

Each of the four stands has its own character:

• West Stand: rebuilt in 2017, includes 2,600 seats, 20 premium boxes, and a restaurant.
• East Stand (Tribune 2): original 1923 structure with roughly 7,760 seats, of which only around 6,810 are currently usable.
• North Stand (Vic Mees): built in 2001 with 2,992 seats.
• South Stand (Business Seats): added in 1991, featuring 800 seats.

All stands now meet modern comfort and safety standards, with improved facilities under the stands.

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.