Sportpaleis

The Antwerps Sportpaleis (English: Antwerp's Sport Palace), also called Sportpaleis Antwerpen, Sportpaleis Merksem or simply the Sportpaleis, is an arena in Antwerp, Belgium. It is a multipurpose hall where concerts, sporting events, festivals and fairs are organized. The arena was built for sport, especially track cycling, but there is now little sport there, an exception being the Diamond Games tennis.

Antwerps Sportpaleis
LocationSchijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Merksem, Antwerp, Belgium
Coordinates51°13′52″N 4°26′28″E
OwnerProvince of Antwerp
Operatornv Antwerps Sportpaleis
Capacity18,575[1]
23,001 (including standing)[1]
Construction
Broke ground11 January 1932
Built1932–33
Opened11 September 1933
Renovated2010–2013
Expanded2013
ArchitectApostel-Mampaey family

According to Billboard Magazine, for the period 2007/8 Sportpaleis was the second most visited event hall in the world, second only to Madison Square Garden.[2] The Sportpaleis is known for performances by both Dutch-speaking and international artists. It also hosts the Nekka-Nacht, the Proximus Diamond Games tennis tournament for women and Pop Poll De Luxe, organised by the magazine HUMO.

The main building is 132 by 88 metres (433 by 289 ft) and has a roof spanning 11,600 square metres (125,000 sq ft). The arena is elliptical and has two floors. Until renovations in 2011, there was a 250-metre-long (270 yd) wooden cycling track under the stands.[3]

Next to the Sportpaleis is its sister venue, the Lotto Arena, a hall that can accommodate 8,000 spectators.

History

Sportpaleis in June 2007

Construction of the arena started on 11 January 1932. It lasted 21 months and was completed on 11 September 1933, becoming the largest indoor arena in Europe. The Sportpaleis was built by the Apostel-Mampaey family from Boom. They were internationally renowned velodrome builders from 1907 until the Second World War. The velodrome builders of Boom were very much in demand. They built tracks in Gentbrugge (1911), Wilrijk 'Garden City' (1916), Nice and Marseille (1920), Ostend (1921-1946), Brussel-Heizel (1932) and Oudenaarde (1933). The famous 'Kuipke' in Ghent (1922) and the even more famous Sportpaleis in Deurne (1933). In 2008, a book "De velodroombouwers Apostel-Mampaey" was published.

On 29 September 1956, road cycling world champion Stan Ockers died a few days after a crash in his 116th performance at the track. The UCI Track Cycling World Championships were held at the Sportpaleis in 1969 and 2001.

On 19 November 1988, Roy Orbison gave his last European performance at the Sportpaleis.

Janet Jackson was scheduled to perform during her All for You Tour on 29 November 2001, but the show was cancelled along with the rest of her European tour because of possible terrorist threats.[4] The same happened on her 2016 Unbreakable World Tour, but because of scheduling conflicts.

In 2010, the arena's roof was replaced, and during 2011–2013 a €20 million re-development took place, increasing its total capacity from 18,400 to 23,001 (including standing).[3][1]

American R&B singer Beyoncé performed at the Sportpaleis as part of her The Beyoncé Experience Tour on 19 May 2007. She returned on 7 May 2009 for her I Am... World Tour and on 14 and 15 May 2013, as part of The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour, where she sold 33,000 tickets in just an hour.[5] The first show on 14 May 2013 was cancelled three hours before the show and rescheduled to 31 May 2013.[6][7] She subsequently beat her own record by selling 40,000 tickets in under one hour for two 2014 concerts at the venue.[8][9]

Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation celebrated their 15th anniversary with a special show entitled "Elements" at the Sportpaleis. They were accompanied by the renowned Il Novecentro Orchestra and some special guests. The concert was held on 13 November 2012 and was sold out.[10][11] Part of the concert was later released in the live album Let Us Burn – Elements & Hydra Live in Concert.

On 31 January 2015, the Antwerp Giants beat the attendance record for a basketball game in Belgium. The Belgian Basketball League team's 88–83 win over Spirou Charleroi was attended by 17,135 spectators.[12]

In May 2019, the Final Four of the Basketball Champions League was hosted at the Sportpaleis, with Antwerp Giants being one of the playing teams.

In May 2022, The Major for Counter-Strike Global Offensive was hosted, featuring the world's best teams for one of the biggest esports events marking the first eSports event to be held in the arena.

Sport events

Date Event Sport/game
30 September–6 October 20132013 World Artistic Gymnastics ChampionshipsArtistic Gymnastics
3–5 May 20192019 Basketball Champions League Final FourBasketball
9–22 May 2022PGL Major Antwerp 2022Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
30 September–8 October 20232023 World Artistic Gymnastics ChampionshipsArtistic Gymnastics

Concerts

Many world music stars have performed in this venue, including: 2 Unlimited, AC/DC, Adele, The Alan Parsons Project, Alice Cooper, Alicia Keys, Anastacia, André Rieu, Ariana Grande, Bastille, Beyoncé Knowles, The Black Eyed Peas, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Boy George, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Bruno Mars, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Coldplay, Deep Purple, Depeche Mode, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Dua Lipa, The Eagles, Ellie Goulding, Eric Clapton, Faithless, Fleetwood Mac, Gotye, Green Day, Guns N' Roses, Gwen Stefani, Il Divo, Iron Maiden, Jean-Michel Jarre, Jennifer Lopez, John Fogerty, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Katy Perry, Kings of Leon, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, Lenny Kravitz, Leonard Cohen,, Lionel Richie, Madonna, Mark Knopfler, Massive Attack, Metallica, Michael Bublé, Mika, Milk Inc., Miley Cyrus, Muse, Neil Diamond, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, One Direction, Ozzy Osbourne, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Pink, Placebo, Prince, Queen + Adam Lambert, Queen + Paul Rodgers, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against the Machine, Rammstein, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, Sade, Santana, Samson en Gert, Scorpions, Shakira, Simply Red, Spice Girls, Sting, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel (the largest venue the band has ever played), Supertramp, Tiësto, Tina Turner, U2, Whitney Houston, Within Temptation and Hans Zimmer.

2011

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

March 30Justin BieberMy World Tour13,536 / 13,536 (100%)$796,566

2013

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

April 10Justin BieberBelieve Tour35,751 / 36,939 (97%)$2,598,300
April 11

2016

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

October 8Justin BieberPurpose World Tour37,616 / 37,616 (100%)$2,890,081
October 9

2017

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

March 28Bruno Mars24K Magic World Tour42,710 / 43,512 (98%)$3,156,750
March 29
April 5Ed Sheeran÷ Tour21,109 / 21,151 (100%)$1,325,480
April 22Iron MaidenThe Book of Souls World Tour
May 9Depeche ModeGlobal Spirit Tour20,195 / 20,195 (100%)$1,477,132
November 1MetallicaWorldWired Tour
November 3
November 26Depeche ModeGlobal Spirit Tour19,299 / 19,299 (100%)$1,544,331

2018

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

January 22Lady GagaJoanne World Tour15,533 / 15,533 (100%)$1,435,452
February 16Imagine DragonsEvolve World Tour20,272 / 21,372$954,137
February 27Kendrick LamarThe Damn Tour19,424 / 19,424 (100%)$1,403,113
March 16Harry StylesHarry Styles: Live on Tour12,156 / 12,156 (100%)$856,747
April 17Lana Del ReyLA to the Moon Tour
May 24Katy PerryWitness: The Tour15,025 / 21,172 (71%)$1,255,551
June 7ShakiraEl Dorado World Tour
June 29Queen and Adam LambertQueen + Adam Lambert Tour 2017-2018
July 17Justin TimberlakeThe Man of the Woods Tour34,819 / 34,819 (100%)$3,191,467
July 18
August 15Britney SpearsPiece of Me Tour17,246 / 19,911 (86%)$1,399,873
October 10Shania TwainNow Tour
October 26Oscar and the WolfInfinity Tour28,379 / 31,670 (89%)$1,308,187
October 27

2019

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

January 6André RieuJohann Strauss Orchestra9,634 / 10,996 (88%)$855,922
February 19Reverze
March 10Shawn MendesShawn Mendes: The Tour15,879 / 15,879 (100%)$1,017,923
May 23Elton JohnFarewell Yellow Brick Road
July 6Christina AguileraX Tour8,416 / 8,416 (100%)$547,752[13]
August 30Ariana GrandeSweetener World Tour
September 27Little MixLM5: The Tour
September 28CherHere We Go Again Tour

2020

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

February 2 Sabaton The Great Tour

2021

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

June 2KissEnd of the Road World TourRescheduled
June 9 Eric Clapton Summer 2021 European Tour Canceled
June 27Iron MaidenLegacy of the Beast World TourCanceled
October 30RegiKomt wat dichterbij
November 27Niels DestadsbaderSterker
November 28
November 29

2022

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

April 9LikeMeLikeMe On Tour (4 shows)
April 23The War On DrugsI Don't Live Here Anymore
April 24Hans ZimmerEU Tour 2022
May 6Dua LipaFuture Nostalgia Tour
May 7
May 13ToolTool in Concert 2022
June 6KissEnd of the Road World Tour
June 12Eric ClaptonSummer 2022 European Tour
June 15Alicia KeysAlicia + Keys World Tour
June 1650 CentTour 2022
June 21Green Day
Fall Out Boy
Weezer
Hella Mega Tour
June 28Billie EilishHappier Than Ever, The World Tour
July 7 Harry Styles Love On Tour 18,245 / 18,245 (100%) $1,207,376
July 15Queen + Adam LambertThe Rhapsody Tour
October 27Kendrick LamarThe Big Steppers Tour
November 23The CureLost World Tour
December 8VolbeatServant of The Road World Tour

2023

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

January 26Robbie WilliamsXXV Tour
May 14Roger WatersThis Is Not A Drill
May 20Depeche ModeMemento Mori World Tour
July 13Iron MaidenThe Future Past Tour
September 17Celine DionCourage World Tour
September 18
September 20
October 21MadonnaThe Celebration Tour
October 22

2024

Date Main performer(s) Tour / Concert name Tickets sold Total gross

notes

April 5 Simple Minds 2024 Global Tour
June 8 Jonas BrothersFive Albums. One Night. The World Tour

Audience

Billboard Magazine said the Sportpaleis was the second most visited event hall in the world between November 2007 and November 2008, with 1,239,436 visitors. Only Madison Square Garden in New York had more.[2]

The arena can hold 23,001 people (including standing) after re-development which took place from 2011 to 2013.[3][1]

Transport connections

The Sportpaleis lies at the R. Grégoirplein square at the crossing of two large traffic axes, the Bisschoppenhoflaan/Schijnpoortweg, having an east–west orientation, and the Burgemeester Gabriel Theunisbrug, going north over the Albert Canal. In its immediate proximity also lies the Deurne highway ramp of the R1 ring road, as well as the Singel urban ring road. Also, nearby lie three car parks operated by the Sportpaleis, and two more car parks, of a nearby Gamma shop and the Antwerp slaughterhouse, which are also available when large events are held.[14] Even so, traffic near the Sportpaleis can get extremely dense when such events are held, leading to large traffic jams and causing a nuisance with the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.[15]

The Sportpaleis is also well connected to the Antwerp public transport system. Underground, next to the Sportpaleis, lies Sport premetro station, which is serviced by tram routes 2, 3 and 6, running between either Luchtbal or Merksem to the north and the city centre and the western or southern parts of the city in the other direction, via the Antwerp premetro network. Above ground also lies the terminus of tram route 12, following an above-ground trajectory toward the city centre and Zuid neighbourhood to the south. In addition to these, tram route 5 also has a stop called "Sportpaleis" near the premetro exit at the Ten Eekhovelei to the south of the complex. The route runs between Deurne and Wijnegem to the east and the city centre and Linkeroever to the west. Finally, it is also serviced by bus lines 19 and 413.[16]

See also

References

  1. "Sportpaleis". beatvenues.be. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  2. VRT (3 February 2009). "Sportpaleis draws huge crowds". flandersnews.be. deredactie.be. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017.
  3. "Capaciteit Sportpaleis wordt opgedreven". www.nieuwsblad.be (in Dutch). 14 June 2011.
  4. "Janet Jackson niet in Sportpaleis". De Standaard.
  5. "DPG Media Privacy Gate".
  6. "Beyoncé annuleert concert in Sportpaleis". Het Nieuwsblad.
  7. "Genezen Beyoncé komt terug op 31 mei". Gazet van Antwerpen.
  8. "Beyoncé komt opnieuw naar België". Het Nieuwsblad.
  9. "Two concerts sold out - Waiting list opens". Sportpaleis Group (in Dutch). December 17, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  10. "Sportpaleis, Antwerp (BE) | within Temptation". Archived from the original on 2012-07-16. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  11. "ELEMENTS SOLD OUT &#124 | Within Temptation". Archived from the original on 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
  12. "Round up: Magical 'Night of Giants". FIBA Europe. 2 February 2015.
  13. "Current Boxscore | Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  14. "Antwerps Sportpaleis". Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  15. "Districten vragen oplossing voor overlast Sportpaleis". Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  16. De Lijn. "Network map Antwerp city centre" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2016.

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