A Closer Look at KAA Gent Stadium: The Belgian Masterpiece

KAA Gent Stadium stands as more than just a venue for football. It is a symbol of sporting passion and community spirit. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a modern sporting arena, the stadium has witnessed decades of thrilling matches, evolving alongside the rich history of Belgian football. Here, we will unveil some of the main curiosities and details of this popular venue that keeps attracting tourists from all over the world thanks to its unique architecture and unbeatable experience when it comes to watching a football match or any other event.

Make sure to take a look at each aspect listed below, and you’ll become an expert on the matter. Whether you’re a football fan looking for more information about this arena or plan on visiting Belgium to see this marvelous monument in person, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s everything to know about Ghelamco Arena and its contribution to football history:

Table of Contents

A Closer Look at KAA Gent Stadium: The Belgian Masterpiece

Location and Construction of KAA Stadium

Curiosities About Planet Group Arena

Take Your Love for Football Everywhere

Location and Construction of KAA Stadium

As we mentioned, the stadium, also known as Planet Group Arena, is located in Belgium, specifically in the region of Ghent (Address: Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 808). It is a popular municipality in the country and offers amazing spots for visitors, mixing urban characteristics with the region’s natural formations.

It is located next to public transport stations and provides a great experience for visitors thanks to its location near the city centre and other main tourist attractions.

The construction of this stadium began in 2008, making it one of the most recent arenas in all of Europe, and it was completed in 2013. The project involved bold architecture and top-notch technology, intending to become one of the main sports venues in the entire country. The estimated cost of the entire project is around 80 million euros, being also one of the most expensive in the region.

All things considered, the investment was worth it when considering how much the arena has grown since its beginning and how important this venue has become to football fans from Europe and all over the world. It is a mark in football history that will last many more years.

Curiosities About Planet Group Arena

Now, we will cover some of the main curiosities and facts that make this stadium so important to Belgium and the entire football world. Make sure to look at each item, and you’ll become an expert on the matter. 

From the construction to the main events on its grounds, we will talk about multiple aspects of this sports gem in the middle of Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about this arena:

Multiple Names

One thing that might be a little confusing about this particular stadium is its name. It actually has more than one, but they’re all technically right.

As we know, the main one is the KAA Gent Stadium. This is a direct reference to the team of the city to whom the stadium hosts the home matches. However, until 2024, its official name was Ghelamco Arena, which was changed to Planet Group Arena (or Arteveldestadion).

This change is fairly new even for those living in Belgium; some still call it the Ghelamco Arena, which is no surprise considering that even the giant display at the top of the building still shows the “old” name. The name might have changed, but their passion for football and excellence when it comes to visitors’ experience is still the same, being a reference in the entire country.

First Stadium in Years

The love for football is something that unites all Europeans, and seeing multiple stadiums in a country is not surprising at all. But Ghelamco Arena is actually the first Belgium stadium to open in over 30 years.

This is one reason why the building of this project generated so much excitement and repercussions throughout the country, bringing thousands of fans worldwide to its opening games.

The stadium also serves as home to the city team (KAA Gent), substituting the previous Jules Ottenstadion, which was their home arena. The new stadium is still their official home and is constantly hosting matches from them, whether for the Champions League, Belgian Cup, or any other competitive match the team has to play.

Notice that Jules Ottenstadion has been the team’s home ground since 1920, so the arena was a well-deserved upgrade to them, considering the technological aspects the club received from the new arena.

Iconic Matches

Planet Group Stadium has already hosted some of the most important events in the sports world, entertainment, and other areas. Even though it is one of the most recent stadiums on the continent, it is already an important venue for athletes and artists from all over the world.

Among these events is the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Even though it didn’t happen in the country, the stadium staff organized events to display all the games from the Belgium team on a big screen, along with performances from artists to make the moment even more special. Some of these artists included Milk Inc., Penxten, and others.

Another matchday that marked the stadium’s history was a friendly match between KAA Gent and Club Brugge, two famous teams from the country. Even though it was a friendly match, the crowd cheered every goal scored and sold tons of tickets, filling the house from the first layer of seats to the roof. It’s one of the best venues in Europe and a must-go if you’re visiting Belgium. If you’re lucky enough, you can even try to see a game from the Champions League season, depending on when the stadium will host it.

Michelin Star Restaurant

One detail most people might miss when visiting the stadium is that it is home to Horseele, a Michelin star winner restaurant. Expect some of the best dishes of your life, mixing contemporary elements with traditional Belgian cuisine. 

One of the best experiences you can have in the restaurant is to watch the teams playing matches through the panoramic view of the pitch. Notice that a game ticket doesn’t give you access to the restaurant, and you need to make a reservation earlier to have dinner at the place. 

Every dish is presented with stunning visuals and passion, making it one of the best in the country. Since it is situated inside the stadium, you don’t have to go anywhere else to have one of the best meals possible.

This is not the only restaurant available at KAA Gent’s stadium; you can find all kinds of food and drinks inside the arena. Some of the most famous ones are the Bistro and the sandwich place, which are right next to the entrance to the seats. The prices also vary depending on the event being hosted and what you plan on eating. You can find all sorts of food ranging from 5 euros to 100 or more.

Transportation

Attending games in the arena is also one of the best experiences in the country. They happen almost every week, and getting to the stadium is pretty easy.

You have several options to go from one point of the city to another, and the stadium is no exception. From a parking lot with approximately 1000 car spots to its own shuttle bus, you can choose the option that best suits you.

If you plan on visiting Belgium and the Ghelamco Arena, we highly recommend using the bus or carpool service like Uber. It is just a few kilometers away from the city centre and the trip will take just a couple of minutes.

Other Structures and Stores

In addition to the pitch and restaurants, the arena was also designed to host other stores inside its structure. These other parts are used by both visitors and team members, and each one provides a different product or service.

For example, inside Planet Group Arena, you can find an Albert Heijn store and even an employment agency. You also have a gym that is open for the public to train and enjoy, with top-notch equipment and sports professionals ready to help you get the best experience. 

You’ll never get tired of exploring these spaces, and there’s always something new to discover at the sports facility. Visiting it is a breathtaking experience not only when it comes to the matches but also the structure of the stadium and everything it has to offer. It mixes the best of technology and design, automatically qualifying it as one of the best arenas in Europe.

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