What will be the noise impact of the stadium on non-game days?
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.
What about noise on match days? What will the noise impact be on the neighborhood? And what measures does the club plan to take?
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.
Supporters from other clubs are going to come near our place. How are you going to handle them?
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.
Who will ensure the safety of the neighbourhood?
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.
Where exactly will the new stadium be located?
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.
How accessible will the stadium be for people with disabilities?
All four stands of the new stadium will be accessible to people with reduced mobility. This will allow everyone to choose the atmosphere that suits them best. This is one of the many strengths of the project: in the current Marien Stadium, only the west stand and the south stand (visitors) are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
What will become of Marien Stadium?
A part of Unionist history continues to be written at the Marien Stadium, with home games for the women’s A team and the men’s U23 team. They, too, are exciting to watch and support!
What will the stadium be called?
It’s still too early to say. The new stadium project still has a few steps to go through, such as obtaining its building permit!
Where can I find all the information about the new stadium?
Visit the Union Saint-Gilloise website at rusg.brussels and follow us on social media.
Why not build elsewhere in Forest or Saint-Gilles?
Perspective.brussels has indeed studied other sites within the municipalities of Saint-Gilles and Forest. In addition to Marien and the Bempt site, the analysis also examined the Bertelson Stadium, located in the immediate vicinity of the current stadium.
This study highlights that the Bertelson Stadium presents similar (and even more significant) issues compared to Marien, particularly in terms of accessibility and disturbances in the heart of densely populated neighborhoods.