Belfius Hockey Arena Becomes New Home of Belgian Hockey

Set amid the green hills of Walloon Brabant, the Belfius Hockey Arena has emerged as the new beating heart of Belgian hockey following eight years of planning and preparation and an investment of 10 million euros.

The arena was officially opened in April after three years of construction. Like the hockey complex commissioned by the Odisha government in Rourkela, India, the Belfius Hockey Arena is a fully developed permanent hockey stadium.

More precisely, it is the new home of Belgium’s national men’s and women’s teams, the Red Lions and the Red Panthers. Located in the serene and picturesque hills of Wavre, the state-of-the-art complex embodies the ambition, quality and long-term vision that characterize Belgian hockey.

The arena was built at the site of Wavre’s former soccer stadium, Stade Justin Peeters. Combining modern design with a sustainable approach, the project reused the existing structure and transformed the venue into a stadium dedicated entirely to hockey. It was designed to meet the highest standards established by the International Hockey Federation.

The stadium has 4,000 permanent seats, including 2,800 covered seats in the main stand and 1,200 on the opposite side. Its capacity was temporarily increased to just under 10,000 for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, creating an impressive and vibrant setting for the tournament.

The relatively modest capacity also illustrates the difference between soccer and hockey at the international level. FIFA requires stadiums hosting World Cup matches to have at least 40,000 seats, while hockey can accommodate major international events at venues temporarily expanded to approximately 10,000 seats.

The new arena did not bring the desired results for Belgium during the World Cup. Neither national team reached the gold medal match. The Belgian men finished seventh, while the women secured the bronze medal.

Despite those results, the arena is expected to host future FIH competitions, including FIH Pro League games, as well as other international and domestic matches.

The complex is also the new home of Hockey Wallonie Bruxelles. It serves as a training center for Belgium’s national youth teams and as a gathering place for local hockey clubs.

Inside, the arena combines functionality with a high level of comfort. The national teams have personalized locker rooms, modern fitness facilities and professional support services.

Members of the media, VIP guests and spectators also have access to high-quality facilities. The playing surface, built to international standards, provides optimal conditions for top-level hockey.

With the opening of the arena, Belgian hockey now has a permanent home capable of competing with facilities in other leading hockey nations, including India. The Belfius Hockey Arena is therefore more than a new stadium. It is positioned to remain at the center of Belgian hockey for generations to come.

India and Belgium contested the seventh-place match at the venue. India lost in a penalty shootout, leaving the team with mixed feelings about its experience at the new home of Belgian hockey.

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