Union’s intention is for the stadium and its surroundings to be open to the neighborhood and to be useful to residents even outside match days. 

All local clubs and all freely accessible sports facilities (the agoraspace and the urban fitness area) will remain on the Bempt site. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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.

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.   

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. 

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.   

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.

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!