Constant Vanden Stock Stadium

History

Early history

Until shortly after the First World War, the home games of Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht were played on a football pitch in the Rue Verheyden/Verheydenstraat. In 1917, R.S.C. Anderlecht installed, on the border of Meir Park (later renamed Astrid Park), a new stadium with only one wooden stand. In 1918, the complex was named the Émile Versé Stadium (, ), after the industrialist Émile Versé, who was also the club's first president. 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. On September 20, 1980, 38,349 viewers attended a game against Standard 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 the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium (, ), after the club's then-chairman, Constant Vanden Stock. The renovated stadium was inaugurated with a gala match against FC Barcelona. In 1992, Anderlecht won the International Olympic Committee award for architecture in sport. The cost of the renovation works amounted to 1.5 billion Belgian francs. The club received no government support but financed the renovation works with the proceeds from lodges and business seats.

21st century

In the summer of 2012, R.S.C. Anderlecht carried out work to bring the stadium up to UEFA standards. Its capacity was thus decreased to 21,500 seats 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 for safety reasons, rail seats for safe standing were fitted on the terracing behind each goal, while stand 1 is now equipped with 651 outdoor VIP seats. 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 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.

In 2019, the stadium was officially rebranded as the Lotto Park, for sponsorship reasons.

Location and features

The stadium is located at 2, avenue Théo Verbeeck/Théo Verbeecklaan, near Saint-Guidon/Sint-Guido metro station. Rival supporters must stop at Aumale metro station for UEFA 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.

File:3564constantVandenStockStadium.jpg|Outside view of the Lotto Park File:RSC Anderlecht 01.jpg|Inside view File:Lotto park 2022.jpg|View from the field level File:Plattegrond constantvandenstockstadion.jpg|Map of the stadium File:Anderlecht fanshop (Lotto Park).jpg|Anderlecht fanshop

References

References

1. "La sixième pelouse d'Europe". rsca.be.
2. [http://www.erasmix.be/content/%E2%80%98een-nationaal-stadion-stamt-uit-de-koloniale-tijd%E2%80%99/ Een nationaal stadion stamt uit de koloniale tijd] {{Webarchive. link. (2018-09-26 erasmix.be, 15 May 2013)
3. "Lotto Park (Stade Constant Vanden Stock) – StadiumDB.com".
4. "Le stade Constant Vanden Stock officiellement rebaptisé 'Lotto Park'".
5. (17 May 2024). "Lotto Park".
6. "Parc Astrid et stade Constant Vanden Stock (Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht) {{!}} Anderlecht".
7. (22 December 2022). "Anderlecht Online-Stadion".
8. "Belgium: Anderlecht gives CVDS a makeover".
9. "Stade - Le RSCA restera à Anderlecht et il a opté pour un troisième anneau". rsca.be.
10. (23 April 2022). "Anderlecht bergt bouwplannen op".