Sportpaleis, Concert hall in Merksem, Belgium
The Sportpaleis is a covered event space in the Merksem district of Antwerp, notable for its elliptical shape and arranged over two levels. The spacious structure houses a main hall along with adjacent areas that accommodate large crowds and allow for staging and technical setups.
Albert Herent designed the building in the early 1930s as a track for cycling races, completed within about 20 months. After decades serving track cycling, the venue gradually shifted toward hosting large concerts and entertainment events.
Originally built for cycling, the hall now welcomes tens of thousands of visitors who gather here for international music performances. The Dutch name "Sportpaleis" still refers to its former role as a sports facility, even though most visitors today come for concerts.
Several tram and bus lines stop near the venue, making the trip from central Antwerp relatively straightforward. For large concerts, arriving early helps avoid entrance queues and allows time to settle into a spot.
Next to the main building stands the smaller Lotto Arena, which can host separate events at the same time and adds flexibility to the complex. This side-by-side arrangement allows different crowd sizes and genres to be served at a single site.
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