Stade Edmond Machtens
Molenbeek, Belgium
King Baudouin Stadium
Brussels Belgium
King Baudouin Stadium is located in the Heysel district of Brussels, Belgium, and features an official all-seater capacity of 50,093. Serving as the primary home ground for the Belgian national football team, the Red Devils, and hosting the prestigious annual Memorial Van Damme athletics meet, this iconic venue stands as the largest sports arena in the country and is celebrated globally for its rich history of hosting major European finals and international tournaments.
Joni-Fuego, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Capacity
50.000
Stadium History
History of the Stadium
The venue originally opened on August 23, 1930, under the name Stade du Centenaire, inaugurated to celebrate the centenary of Belgian independence. Following World War II, the arena was renamed Heysel Stadium and became one of the premier venues for elite European football, hosting multiple European Cup finals in 1958, 1966, 1974, and 1985. Following the tragic events of the 1985 European Cup final, the stadium underwent decades of restricted use until a massive, near-total reconstruction project was launched in the mid-1990s, completely transforming the infrastructure to prepare the capital city for hosting the opening match and tournament fixtures of UEFA Euro 2000.
Architecture & Design
The stadium features an oval, bowl-shaped design necessitated by the integration of an international-standard nine-lane running track around the playing field. Built predominantly from reinforced concrete and steel, the structure is divided into four massive, curved grandstands that are entirely covered by a continuous, cantilevered roof structure. The interior seating pattern displays a vibrant mosaic of red, yellow, and black seats that reflect the national colors of Belgium, creating a visually striking backdrop during televised international events and athletic competitions.
Major Renovations
The most extensive transformation took place between 1994 and 1995, when the old Heysel infrastructure was almost entirely demolished and rebuilt at a cost of approximately fifty million dollars. Only the historic main entrance facade was preserved, while three entirely new modern stands were constructed with updated safety features, electronic turnstiles, and individual plastic seats. Further modernizations were completed in subsequent years to maintain compliance with UEFA Category 4 standards, including high-definition video screens, upgraded floodlighting systems, and refurbished media facilities.
Location & Matchday Experience
Situated in the northern part of Brussels on the historic Heysel plateau, the stadium is surrounded by major cultural landmarks including the Atomium and the Brussels Expo exhibition halls. The matchday experience is characterized by a festive, family-friendly atmosphere where thousands of fans from all regions of Belgium gather in the open plazas surrounding the venue. The surrounding parklands and wide avenues provide ample space for fan zones, food trucks, and corporate pavilions, making international matchdays a comprehensive entertainment event for the capital city.
Origin of the Stadium Name
The arena was officially renamed King Baudouin Stadium in 1995 to honor His Majesty King Baudouin, the late monarch of Belgium who passed away in 1993. The renaming coincided with the completion of the massive structural rebuilding project, symbolizing a fresh, modern chapter for the historic sporting site while dedicating the national arena to one of the most respected figures in modern Belgian history.
Former Names & Rebranding
From its opening in 1930 until 1946, the arena carried the official title of Stade du Centenaire, or Jubelstadion in Dutch. Following the conclusion of World War II, the city authorities rebranded the facility as Heysel Stadium, a name derived from the surrounding neighborhood and plateau where the sports complex sits. This title remained active for nearly five decades until the comprehensive modernization and royal renaming ceremony took place ahead of the new millennium.
Capacity & Configuration
The current official capacity stands at 50,093 individual seats for international football matches. The venue is organized into four primary sectors designated simply as Tribune 1, Tribune 2, Tribune 3, and Tribune 4. Tribune 1 serves as the main stand housing the royal box, executive VIP lounges, business seats, and extensive media installations. Tribune 3 runs parallel on the opposite side, while Tribune 2 and Tribune 4 form the large curved ends behind the goals, with away supporters typically allocated specific blocks in Tribune 2 during international football fixtures.
Records & Fun Facts
The historic attendance record at the old ground was set in 1958 during a European Cup match between Real Madrid and AC Milan, drawing an estimated 67,000 spectators. Beyond football and the Memorial Van Damme athletics track event, the stadium functions as the premier concert venue in Belgium, having hosted massive, sold-out musical performances by global acts including U2, Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruce Springsteen, with concert capacities expanding up to 60,000 spectators when field standing is utilized.
How to get to King Baudouin Stadium
The stadium is located approximately seven kilometers north of the Brussels city center and is highly accessible through the STIB/MIVB municipal public transport network. Travelers can take Metro Line 6 directly to the Heysel/Heizel station, which sits immediately adjacent to the stadium entrance gates, or exit at the nearby Roi Baudouin/Koning Boudewijn station. Additionally, Tram lines 7, 9, and 93 serve the surrounding plateau, providing direct connections to various districts across Brussels. For visitors arriving via regional rail, the venue is a short metro ride from the Bruxelles-Midi or Bruxelles-Nord railway stations, while drivers can access the site via the Brussels Ring Road R0 using exits 7 or 8, though matchday parking is limited and public transit remains the highly recommended travel option.
Best seats, view and atmosphere
Spectators seeking a premium experience with the most comfortable amenities, padded seats, and an optimal, unobstructed view of the pitch should book tickets in the central blocks of Tribune 1 or Tribune 3, which align with the halfway line and provide complete shelter under the main roof. Budget-conscious visitors will find excellent value in the upper tiers of Tribune 2 and Tribune 4, though the presence of the running track means these seats are positioned further away from the football action than in football-specific league stadiums. The most energetic, vocal atmosphere is typically generated in the lower tiers of Tribune 4, where the official Belgian national team supporter clubs gather, while families often prefer the quieter, relaxed atmosphere found in the upper sections of Tribune 3.
Where to eat and drink near King Baudouin Stadium
The immediate surroundings of the Heysel plateau offer numerous dining options, ranging from permanent restaurants near the Bruparck complex to temporary matchday stalls. Local vendors parked along the Avenue de l’Impératrice Charlotte and near the metro station serve authentic Belgian street food, specifically classic Belgian fries served with Andalouse or samurai sauce, and traditional Brussels waffles. When it comes to beverages, the bars and fan zones prominently serve Jupiler, the popular national pale lager, alongside other classic Belgian beer brands, allowing supporters to enjoy traditional refreshments in the open plazas before passing through the stadium gates.
Good to know
Security measures are thorough at all entry gates, requiring electronic ticket scanning and body searches, so visitors are strongly advised to arrive at least ninety minutes before kickoff to avoid long queues at the turnstiles. The entire stadium ecosystem inside the concourses operates on a cashless payment system, meaning all food, drink, and merchandise transactions must be completed using standard debit or credit cards. Large backpacks, luggage, professional video equipment, umbrellas with pointed tips, and bottles are strictly prohibited inside the arena, and there are no public storage lockers available on site, so spectators should travel with minimal personal belongings.
Fan Shop
A temporary official megastore and multiple mobile merchandise trailers are operated by the Royal Belgian Football Association on the stadium grounds during national team matchdays, situated primarily in the main fan zones facing Tribune 1 and Tribune 3. These pop-up outlets stock the full inventory of official Adidas Belgium replica kits, training apparel, scarves, and national team souvenirs. On non-matchdays, fans looking for official national team gear can visit the specialized sports retail outlets located in the central shopping districts of downtown Brussels, as the stadium does not maintain a permanent, daily standalone boutique on site.
