The project for the Union’s new stadium is located in the northwestern part of the Bempt site. Currently, this area includes an unused soccer field, a soil and tree storage area, technical facilities belonging to the municipality of Forest (which will be relocated), and a rugby field that will also be relocated to the immediate vicinity, less than 300 meters away.    

 The park area itself is located in the south and east of the Bempt site.   

A minimum distance of 250 meters will separate the stadium from the nearest residential buildings. This is much greater than at any other stadium in the Brussels region (such as the Marien, the Molenbeek Stadium, and the Anderlecht Stadium) and in Belgium (with the exception of the new stadium in Ghent). 

As with all football matches, safety is ensured by Union’s stewards, with the presence and support of the police, the Red Cross and the fire brigade. This is the standard procedure. In addition, Union also funds a private security company. 

We are also very proud of the Union culture, which stands out for its values of non-violence and inclusion. Our supporters prioritize a positive atmosphere and are well known for it. It is our ambition to continue fostering this unique spirit. 

Belgian regulations (“Football Law”) require visiting club supporters to travel in organized group buses. This system, known as “combi-buses,” helps prevent any disturbances caused by the presence of visiting supporters.   

In the case of the Bempt Stadium, the planned layout will prevent any interaction with the residential neighborhoods of Forest and the park. Access to and exit from their parking lot is directly connected to the Ring.   

The new Union stadium will be located more than 250 metres away from the nearest residential areas. This is significantly more than at the Marien Stadium, where homes are situated directly opposite the Brusselsesteenweg. It is also considerably more than for other Brussels stadiums or most stadiums in the Belgian First Division, with the exception of the new stadium in Ghent.

However, it is clear that the 20 to 25 matches held each year at the Bempt Stadium will generate some noise. For this reason, Union is implementing measures, both in terms of infrastructure and organisation, to minimise noise disturbance for nearby residential neighbourhoods. The noise impact will remain very limited: measurements show an increase of only 1 to 3 dB on matchdays. This limited rise is partly due to the fact that the new stadium will act as a sound barrier, particularly against noise coming from the motorway.

Thanks to the stadium’s location, the closed sides of the stands, and the use of directional loudspeakers, most of the noise will be contained within the stadium, preventing its spread toward the industrial areas and the Ring.

From an organisational perspective, the management of sound levels and the limitation of amplified sound sources will also help keep the noise impact on nearby neighbourhoods under control.

Acoustic studies indicate that the stadium’s presence provides a localized improvement in the acoustic environment compared to existing traffic noise, particularly to the east.  

This is already the case and will continue in and around the new stadium. The Union’s Ecoteam comes by immediately after each match, and volunteers pick up trash. They assist the municipal services and Bruxelles Propreté, who then come by the next morning for a thorough cleanup. 

The project is designed to minimize soil sealing by using permeable materials wherever possible. 

However, some impermeable surfaces (such as the forecourt just before the stadium entrance) are unavoidable to accommodate supporters. 

No rainwater from the project site will be directed into the sewage system. Rainwater will either be redirected to the Senne via the construction of a new connection from the stadium’s retention tanks to the river, or reused directly on site through storage reservoirs, for example for the pitch, cleaning and sanitary facilities. 

This culvert (which will be financed by Union) constitutes the missing link in the existing municipal rainwater network. It will not only manage rainwater from the project but also improve overall rainwater management in the eastern part of the municipality of Forest.