Stade du Pays de Charleroi – stadium description

When it was opened, back in 1939, it wasn’t called the way we know it now, but Stade du Mambourg. Decision to change the name came 60 years later, in 1999. This was a completely new venue by then, rebuilt vastly for Euro 2000.

Existing main stand was accompanied by three new grandstands, with most impressive one, having three tiers of seating, built right opposite. Its third tier was dismantled after the tournament due to low demand and roof was lowered to cover the remaining levels of seating.

Despite relatively short existence after the 1999 redevelopment, in 2010 decision was made to build a new venue as this one no longer complied to regulations. New venue’s capacity is to be similar to this one’s, though at one stage there was plan to make it even 45,000 – on condition that Belgium and Netherlands would host the 2018 World Cup, eventually granted to Russia.

During the 2012/13 season decision was made to reduce capacity further, leaving just over 14,000 seats. Upper tiers of the original structure were demolished and completely cahnged the stadium's appearence. In 2014 the terraces were covered, bringing it back to the times before Euro 2000. Later black and white seats were installed in the east stand, matching club colours better. In 2020, to satisfy UEFA's requirements, new LED lighting was added to existing lights.