Bosuilstadion – stadium description

What is Bosuilstadion like in brief?

Bosuilstadion is inseparably linked with Royal Antwerp FC – a team regarded as the oldest football club in Belgium, proudly holding matricule number 1. The club built its new stadium a few years after World War I, and it has served as the club’s home ever since.

The venue originally had an oval form and, following expansions in 1936 and 1956, gained a truly monumental character, with capacity reaching up to 60,000 spectators.

Until the 1970s, matches between the Belgian and Dutch national teams were most often played in Antwerp – at Bosuilstadion, as many as 35 such games were held. The intense atmosphere of clashes between the “Red Devils” and “Oranje” earned the stadium the nickname “Hell of Deurne”.

The stadium also hosted the semi-final of UEFA Euro 1972, in which Belgium lost 1–2 to West Germany after two goals by Gerd Müller. In 1964, a replay of the European Cup Winners’ Cup final was also held here.

The monumental curved stands were demolished in the 1990s and replaced with rather plain, functional structures. Between 2017 and 2025, three new stands were built, completely transforming the stadium’s appearance.

Today, half of the stands (west and south) meet high standards and are distinguished by their glass facades. The remaining two stands have a simpler, more utilitarian character and may be replaced in the future, which would allow for the complete transformation of the venue into a modern, football-specific stadium.

How was Bosuilstadion built?

How did the construction of Bosuilstadion come about?

From 1908, Royal Antwerp FC played its matches at a new ground on Broodstraat, in the southern district of Kiel. After World War I, however, the stadium became too small for the club’s needs, prompting plans for a new venue.

Due to significantly more attractive land prices, it was decided to acquire a site in the north-eastern outskirts, in Deurne (then an independent municipality, incorporated into Antwerp on January 1, 1983), in an area known as De Brem.

A large plot of approximately 8 hectares was secured for the project, allowing for the development of additional training pitches around the stadium.

Where does the name Bosuilstadion come from?

The land purchased for the stadium was located near an estate known as Lusthof Boschuil – from this, the name Boschuil (Bosuil) began to be used in reference to the stadium. In Dutch, “Bosuil” means a tawny owl.

When was Bosuilstadion built?

Construction of the stadium began on October 1, 1922, and the new venue officially opened on November 1, 1923. The opening match, played in front of a full crowd, was a friendly between Belgium and England (2:2).

What did Bosuilstadion originally look like?

In addition to the football pitch, the new stadium also featured an athletics track, which was surrounded by oval stands. The covered main stand on the western side had a distinct, more representative character and was built as a 130-metre-long structure, also housing social facilities.

The stands on the remaining sides were formed using earth embankments. The eastern section was topped with a colonnade running along the top of the terrace, while a modest neoclassical-style building was constructed in the central part. Three tunnels with characteristic arched vaults were also built beneath the earth banks.

The main stand could accommodate 7,000 spectators, while the total initial capacity of the stadium was 38,000.

The stadium complex also included two training pitches, tennis courts, and parking areas. The layout was enhanced by a 100 × 12-metre elongated pond, dug in front of the main stand, while the entire site was enclosed by a high wall.

At the time of construction, the surrounding area was largely undeveloped, but just seven years later there were 2,600 residential units within a 2 km radius.

What monument once stood at Bosuilstadion?

With the inauguration of the stadium in 1923, a monument was also unveiled commemorating 11 members of Royal Antwerp FC who had died during World War I. After 1945, the names of a further 24 club members who fell during World War II were added.

The monument stood next to the pond, in front of the main stand. It bore the Latin inscription “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” (“How sweet and honourable it is to die for one’s country”).

The monument was removed in 1980 due to its poor condition, as well as to make way for the expansion of the main stand facilities ahead of the club’s centenary.

How did Bosuilstadion evolve over time?

What works were carried out at Bosuilstadion before World War II?

The first visible change at Bosuilstadion was introduced as early as 1930, when a roof was built over the eastern stand.

In 1936, the first major expansion took place. Additional structures were added around the earth embankments, significantly enlarging the stands on the northern, eastern, and southern sides. The stadium’s capacity increased to 50,700 seats at that time.

When did Bosuilstadion reach a capacity of 60,000?

A further expansion followed in 1956, when the curved stands were raised even further, bringing the stadium’s capacity to 60,000 spectators. In 1961, floodlight masts were also installed.

After reaching its impressive scale, the stadium presented a highly monumental appearance, with the curved stands on both ends even evoking associations with the Roman Colosseum. Although the twice-expanded curved sections dominated the lower main stand, the overall design remained elegant and harmonious.

When did Bosuilstadion lose its monumental form?

From the 1980s onwards, the capacity of the stands was gradually reduced due to their poor structural condition. In 1991, the southern curved stand was demolished and replaced by a functional, two-tier structure located directly behind the goal, known as the “Atrium Complex”, featuring a large number of hospitality seats. In 1998, the northern curved stand was also demolished.

Ahead of UEFA Euro 2000, there were plans to redevelop the stadium to serve as one of the tournament venues, but they were ultimately not realised. Between 2000 and 2001, only a new covered stand behind the northern goal was built, providing seating for approximately 3,000 spectators.

How did the most recent modernisation works at Bosuilstadion progress?

Renovation of the old main stand (2014–2015)

Between 2014 and 2015, the main stand on the western side (dating from 1923) was renovated. At that time, due to restrictions and the installation of plastic seats, the stadium’s capacity stood at 12,975 spectators.

Shortly after the renovation, however, further concerns were raised and the stand was no longer approved for use. This ultimately led to its demolition and the construction of a completely new main stand.

Construction of the new main stand (2017)

The catalyst for the new main stand was Royal Antwerp FC’s promotion to the top flight in 2017, following a long spell in the second division that had lasted since 2004.

After securing promotion, Paul Gheysens became the club’s new owner. His construction company, Ghelamco, played a significant role in the development of the new main stand. Construction was carried out at high speed, between June and November 2017.

On the site of the original 1923 structure, a modern stand with a capacity of 5,362 spectators was built, offering extensive facilities. It is fully covered and features a glass façade on the exterior, resembling an office building more than a traditional football stadium.

Construction of the new southern stand (2019–2021)

Following the construction of the new main stand, the redevelopment of the stadium continued. Between 2019 and 2021, a new two-tier stand was built behind the southern goal, replacing the “Atrium Complex” and connecting with the recently constructed western stand.

Construction of the new eastern stand (2025)

In May 2025, the eastern stand (Tribune 2), which had been out of use since 2020, was demolished. It was the last of the “old” stands at the stadium – its lower section had existed since the venue’s opening in 1923.

Following its demolition, a new stand was built in its place and opened after several months of construction in December 2025. However, this stand is temporary in nature (intended to last at least 10 years) and is ultimately expected to be replaced by a permanent structure matching the standard of the new western and southern stands.

What are the plans for the future of Bosuilstadion?

Ultimately, the entire stadium is to be redeveloped in line with the design of the new western and southern stands. This would result in a compact, enclosed structure with a modern, football-specific character.

The redevelopment project of Bosuilstadion, along with a record of the works carried out so far, can be viewed on separate subpages

What events are held at Bosuilstadion?

Who is the tenant of Bosuilstadion?

The stadium has been home to Royal Antwerp FC since its opening. The club was founded in 1880, and its football section has existed since 1887. Royal Antwerp FC is regarded as the oldest football club still active in Belgium and proudly holds matricule number 1. It is also among the most popular teams in the country.

The club has won five Belgian championship titles (1929, 1931, 1944, 1957 and 2023), and reached the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1993. One of its most successful seasons came in 2023, when it not only won the league title but also secured the Belgian Cup and Super Cup, while also qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Particularly notable fixtures for Royal Antwerp FC include matches against Beerschot, a team from the southern part of Antwerp (based at the Olympic Stadium), which are regarded as some of the most intense derbies in Belgium.

Did UEFA Euro 1972 take place at Bosuilstadion?

In 1972, the final tournament of the UEFA European Championship was held in Belgium. It was the fourth edition of the competition and the penultimate one in which only four teams qualified for the final stage.

The tournament followed a “final four” format, featuring two semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final. Each of the four matches was played at a different venue, with Bosuilstadion hosting one of the semi-finals involving the host nation.

The semi-final at Bosuilstadion took place on 14 June 1972. In front of more than 55,000 spectators, Belgium lost 1–2 to West Germany. Both goals for the German side were scored by striker Gerd Müller.

West Germany went on to win the tournament, defeating the Soviet Union 3–0 in the final at Heysel. Belgium, in the third-place match in Liège, defeated Hungary 2–1 to finish third.

Was the European Cup Winners’ Cup final played at Bosuilstadion?

The 1963/64 European Cup Winners’ Cup final was originally scheduled to be played at Heysel Stadium in Brussels. The match took place on 13 May 1964, but after Sporting CP and MTK Budapest were level after extra time (3–3), a replay was required under the rules at the time.

The replayed final was held two days later in Antwerp, at Bosuilstadion, where Sporting CP secured the trophy with a 1–0 victory.

How often did the Belgian national team play at Bosuilstadion?

The Belgian national team played its first match at Bosuilstadion during the stadium’s inauguration on 1 November 1923 (2–2 against England). The national side regularly used the venue until the 1970s, with its last appearance there taking place on 12 October 1988 against Brazil (1–2).

Most matches played at Bosuilstadion were friendlies, although the stadium also hosted World Cup qualifiers as well as a semi-final of UEFA Euro 1972, when Belgium were the host nation.

In total, the “Red Devils” played 40 matches at the stadium – only Stade Roi Baudouin (formerly Heysel) has hosted more Belgium national team games. Interestingly, the vast majority of Belgium’s matches at Bosuilstadion (35 out of 40) were played against their northern neighbours, the Netherlands.

Located close to the country’s northern border, Antwerp was for many years a traditional venue for Belgium’s home matches against the Netherlands. Encounters with the “Oranje” were known for their exceptional atmosphere, which earned Bosuilstadion the nickname “Hell of Deurne” (“De Hel van Deurne-Noord”).

What does Bosuilstadion look like today?

The current form of the stadium is the result of transformations carried out since the end of the 20th century. The stand behind the northern goal dates from 2000–2001, while the stands on the remaining sides were built between 2017 and 2025. The stadium has completely lost its former monumental, oval shape – the last “old” stand on the eastern side was demolished in 2025.

Roughly half of the stadium (the western and southern stands) is provided by modern structures built to contemporary standards, fully covered and equipped with extensive facilities. Their glass facades give them more the appearance of office buildings than a traditional football stadium.

The northern and eastern stands have a more functional character and are also fully covered. The eastern stand, opened in 2025, is the newest part of the stadium; however, it was originally designed as a temporary structure, intended to be replaced in the future by a more permanent stand of higher standard.

Following the opening of the new eastern stand in late 2025, the stadium’s capacity increased to 21,000 spectators. The stands at Bosuilstadion are numbered: the main western stand is Tribune 1, the opposite eastern stand is Tribune 2, while the stands behind the goals are Tribune 3 (north) and Tribune 4 (south).

The stadium is surrounded by training pitches. On the western side, in front of the main stand, there is a square featuring an elongated pond. The venue is located in the eastern district of Deurne (an independent municipality until the end of 1982), approximately 5 km from Antwerp city center.