Lotto Park (Stade Constant Vanden Stock)
Capacity | 28 063 |
---|---|
1,583 (Business seats) | |
406 (VIP seats) | |
Country | Belgium |
City | Brussels |
Clubs | RSC Anderlecht |
Other names | Émile Versé Stadion (1917–1983), Stade Constant Vanden Stock (1983–2019) |
Floodlights | 1,200 lux |
Inauguration | 1917 |
Renovations | 1935, 1953–1962, 1983–1991, 2012 |
Record attendance | 38 349 (Anderlecht – Standard, 20.10.1980) |
Address | Theo Verbeecklaan 2, 1070 Brussels |
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Lotto Park – stadium description
Established in 1917, the district club of Anderlecht in Brussels moved into their new stadium that same year. Not an impressive one at that moment, the stadium was a field cut out of the Meir Park (now Astrid Park) with wooden terraces.
As the club grew to achieve first domestic championship in 1940s, the stadium grew as well. By 1980s it was able to hold under 40,000 people at peak. This is also when Anderlecht was one of the strongest clubs in Europe, prompting plans for a major overhaul to the aging stadium.
In 1983 all stands were built anew, this time with double tiers and cover. Upon opening this was one of the world’s best stadiums, though already then proved too large for its location: the north-western corner had to be cut out to accommodate Theo Verbeeck Avenue.
The stadium was named after Constant Vanden Stock at that point, honouring the legendary player and coach. As regulations changed towards individual seats and corporate sections consumed a lot of space, capacity began decreasing. Especially after the last major renovation in 2012, when replacement of all seats was done.
Despite several attempts, the club failed to push through an expansion plan for the stadium. It was envisaged it would get a third ring of seating and grow to over 30,000 seats. However already without that addition the stadium consumed nearly half of the initial park and dwarfed nearby residential buildings, causing protests over further growth.
In 2014 Anderlecht agreed to become anchor tenant of the planned 60,000+ new national stadium, sealing the fate of their spiritual home.
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Related news
2022
2019
2018
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Belgium: Anderlecht to stay put, for now
Where will Anderlecht play in 5 years time? Constant Vanden Stock, as always. Long-term plan is to move or expand the stadium, but for now only minor revamp is planned.
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Brussels: “Anderlecht need a stadium of our own”
They might attract 10,000 or maybe 15,000 people more per game, but only to a stadium they fully own, according to the new owner of RSC Anderlecht. He effectively ruled out a relocation if it would involve playing at someone else's ground.
2017
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Brussels: National stadium could be downsized to 40,000
Ghelamco revealed their plan to accommodate Anderlecht's wishes by reducing capacity after Euro 2020. The simplified design should also take less time to build.
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Brussels: Anderlecht abandons Eurostadium plan
Once again RSC Anderlecht dropped a bombshell about new national stadium scheme. The club decided to withdraw from the project late yesterday.
2016
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Brussels: Ghelamco files planning application for Eurostadium
After good news from October now the proposed national stadium in Brussels has planning application officially filed. Within some 100 days from now we might see groundbreaking.
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Brussels: Anderlecht uncertain about stadium future
If the proposed national stadium doesn’t get built, Anderlecht will be left with old issue of where to play. Apparently, the club are far from secure in their Euro Stadium hopes.
2015
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Brussels: Contract signed, Anderlecht on board
After somewhat tense negotiations Anderlecht joined other partners to become anchor tenant of the new national stadium. Project should see groundbreaking in 2016.
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Brussels: Anderlecht shocks, Euro 2020 in jeopardy?
Almost at the last moment Anderlecht informed about leaving the national stadium partnership. Without the club financial viability of the project may be challenged and thus also hosting Euro 2020 in Brussels.
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10+ Ranking 2015: Attendances in Europe (Part 2. The Clubs)
Borussia, Barca and Man United – lovely dominant trio. But it wasn’t them who gained most fans last season. Check all 217 clubs that draw an average crowd of 10,000+!
2014
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10+ Ranking: Here are the best European clubs by attendance
There are 229 clubs in Europe enjoying on average 10,000 spectators and more. We list all of them to show the Continent’s most magnetic teams. Some fanbases really deserve praise for their participation, right Rangers/Portsmouth?
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Brussels: Anderlecht files expansion application again
The Belgian club admits it’s still only one of two possibilities, but they want to keep all options open. If the club doesn’t leave Constant Vanden Stock Stadion for the new national arena, expansion will go forward.
2013
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Brussels: Anderlecht to abandon spiritual home?
Belgium's most popular club is likely to abandon not only its current stadium, but also the Anderlecht district of Brussels. Agreement is likely for the team to move to new national stadium in northern Brussels, according to Anderlecht-online.be.
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Brussels: Obstacle for Anderlecht?
Municipal Consultation Committee of Brussels approved the plan of stadium expansion by Anderlecht. But only under strict conditions. These don't seem acceptable for the club, who now await mayor's stance.
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Euro 2020: Belgium joining forces, Brussels to get new national stadium?
Current Heysel is most likely to disappear, but Belgian FA wants to build a new national arena. Under one condition – Belgium needs Anderlecht to become the main tenant and… investor. Sporza.be reports.