Stade de Sclessin – stadium description

First stadium in this location was built back in 1909, but numerous revamps made today’s ground completely different. In 1925 it grew to 20,000, then in 1940 to 30,000. Finally, highest ever capacity, supposedly in excess of 40,000, was reached in 1970s.

With Standard getting all-time high crowd in 1983, capacity started falling afterwards. New eastern stand was built in 1985, while massive three-tier C-shaped stands were established on remaining three sides in 1998, in time for Euro 2000. North end is usually taken by home fanatics, known for vibrant support and left-wing sympathies. The south end has a modest away section.

Since Euro 2000 the stadium holds around 30,000 people, though plans of expansion came in 2009, after a centenary of football in the district of Sclessin (thus the popular nickname). Hopes for new stands were revived as Belgium and the Netherlands were applying for 2018 World Cup (with increase of up to 50,000 seats planned), but their bid eventually lost to Russia.