The schedule was extremely tight, but they managed to pull it off either way. KV Mechelen will open their new north stand today. It’s still a construction site overall, though.

It will be three months to the day tomorrow since fans dismantled some elements of the old north side at AFAS-Stadion. Since then not only has the old structure given way, but a new one peaking at 26 meters was built from scratch. Not entirely built yet, but the concrete structure is in place already.

© KV Mechelen

Tonight roughly 4,000 fans will be allowed to the lower tier, where terracing was created. Opening game against Royal Mouscron begins at 20:00. Fans won’t be able to use all facilities for the event, because toilets and concession stands will be temporary ones outside the ground. Final infrastructure will be gradually introduced in the following weeks.

Among missing features is of course the roof, installation of which has only just began. And the 2,120 seats throughout the asymmetric upper deck. But even with these elements not done yet, KV Mechelen may be proud of how far they’ve come in such a short time. So seem their fans, who bought all available tickets for the new grandstand.

© KV Mechelen