Lotto Park,Astrid Park | |
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 Interior of the stadium | |
 Interactive map of Constant Vanden Stock Stadium | |
| Former names | Emile Versé Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Avenue Théo Verbeeck /Théo Verbeecklaan 2, 1070Anderlecht, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium |
| Coordinates | 50°50′3″N4°17′54″E / 50.83417°N 4.29833°E /50.83417; 4.29833 |
| Public transit |  5Saint-Guidon/Sint-Guido andVeeweyde/Veeweide |
| Operator | R.S.C. Anderlecht |
| Capacity | 21,500[2][3] |
| Field size | 105 x 68 m |
| Surface | Desso GrassMaster[1] |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1917 |
| Opened | 1917 |
| Renovated | 1983, 1985, 1987, 1992, 2012 |
| Tenants | |
| R.S.C. Anderlecht | |
TheConstant Vanden Stock Stadium (French:Stade Constant Vanden Stock;Dutch:Constant Vanden Stockstadion), also known as theLotto Park for sponsorship reasons,[4] is afootballstadium in the municipality ofAnderlecht inBrussels, Belgium. It is home toR.S.C. Anderlecht. It also hosted theUEFA Euro 1972 semi-final betweenHungary and theSoviet Union, as well as several games of theBelgium national football team. The capacity nowadays is 21,500 spectators. The former amount of 40,000 seats and standing places was gradually reduced due to safety measures.[5]
The stadium is located at 2,avenue Théo Verbeeck/Théo Verbeecklaan, on the border ofAstrid Park. It can be accessed from themetro stationsSaint-Guidon/Sint-Guido andVeeweyde/Veeweide online 5.
Until shortly after theFirst World War, the home games ofRoyal Sporting Club Anderlecht were played on a football pitch in theRue Verheyden/Verheydenstraat. In 1917, R.S.C. Anderlecht installed, on the border of Meir Park (later renamedAstrid Park), a new stadium with only one wooden stand. In 1918, the complex was named theÉmile Versé Stadium (French:Stade Émile Versé, Dutch:Émile Verséstadion), after the industrialist Émile Versé, who was also the club's first president.[4] Over time, concrete stands were set up.
In 1946, R.S.C. Anderlecht received permission to carry out work to expand the facilities at the Émile Versé Stadium. In 1969, construction work began on the Henri Simonet sports hall, which was completed in 1971.[6] On September 20, 1980, 38,349 viewers attended a game againstStandard Liège at the Versé Stadium, the largest number of spectators to attend a match at the stadium ever.
The 1980s were marked by several phases of modernisation. Between 1983 and 1991, the stadium was completely rebuilt and renamed theConstant Vanden Stock Stadium (French:Stade Constant Vanden Stock, Dutch:Constant Vanden Stockstadion), after the club's then-chairman,Constant Vanden Stock.[4] The renovated stadium was inaugurated with a gala match againstFC Barcelona. In 1992, Anderlecht won theInternational Olympic Committee award for architecture in sport. The cost of the renovation works amounted to 1.5 billionBelgian francs. The club received no government support but financed the renovation works with the proceeds from lodges and business seats.[7]
In the summer of 2012, R.S.C. Anderlecht carried out work to bring the stadium up toUEFA standards. Its capacity was thus decreased to 21,500 seats[2] but it offers more comfort, more security, as well as new VIP areas and a brand new press room. All seats in the stadium are now equipped with a backrest. The aisles have been widened by 40 cm (16 in) for safety reasons, rail seats forsafe standing were fitted on the terracing behind each goal, while stand 1 is now equipped with 651 outdoor VIP seats.[8] During European competitions, the stadium is all-seated, which decreases its capacity even more.
In 2010, the son of Constant Vanden Stock,Roger, announced together with RSC Anderlecht's manager Herman Van Holsbeeck that the club was going to build a third ring above the two existing ones[9] in order to increase the stadium's capacity to accommodate 30,000 spectators. The plans were put on hold when in 2014, Anderlecht agreed to become anchor tenant of the planned 60,000+new national stadium in Brussels. After Anderlecht withdrew from the project, the plans for an expansion of its own stadium were eventually also shelved in 2022, due to financial and political reasons.[10]
In 2019, the stadium was officially rebranded as theLotto Park, for sponsorship reasons.[4]
The stadium is located at 2,avenue Théo Verbeeck/Théo Verbeecklaan, nearSaint-Guidon/Sint-Guido metro station. Rival supporters must stop atAumale metro station forUEFA Champions League matches due to security measures. The stadium hosts a former one-star restaurant (Le Saint-Guidon) and a cafeteria, as well as the official club fanshop and ticketing booths.
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Media related toStade Constant Vanden Stock at Wikimedia Commons
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