Sportpaleis

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Antwerps Sportpaleis
Sportpaleis.jpg
Sportpaleis
LocationSchijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Merksem, Antwerp, Belgium
Coordinates 51°13′52″N4°26′28″E / 51.23111°N 4.44111°E / 51.23111; 4.44111
Owner Province of Antwerp
Operatornv Antwerps Sportpaleis
Capacity 18,575 [1]
23,001 (including standing) [1]
Construction
Broke ground11 January 1932
Built1932–33
Opened11 September 1933
Renovated2010–2013
Expanded2013
ArchitectApostel-Mampaey family

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 used for organizing concerts, sporting events, festivals, and fairs. The arena was built for sport, especially track cycling, but there is now little sport there, an exception being the Diamond Games tennis.

Contents

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 Sportpaleis antwerpen.jpg
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

DateEventSport/game
30 September–6 October 2013 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Artistic Gymnastics
3–5 May 2019 2019 Basketball Champions League Final Four Basketball
9–22 May 2022 PGL Major Antwerp 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
30 September–8 October 2023 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships Artistic 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, K3, 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, Robbie Williams, 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

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

March 30 Justin Bieber My World Tour 13,536 / 13,536 (100%)$796,566

2013

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

April 10 Justin Bieber Believe Tour 35,751 / 36,939 (97%)$2,598,300
April 11

2016

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

October 8 Justin Bieber Purpose World Tour 37,616 / 37,616 (100%)$2,890,081
October 9

2017

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

March 28 Bruno Mars 24K Magic World Tour 42,710 / 43,512 (98%)$3,156,750
March 29
April 5 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour 21,109 / 21,151 (100%)$1,325,480
April 22 Iron Maiden The Book of Souls World Tour
May 9 Depeche Mode Global Spirit Tour 20,195 / 20,195 (100%)$1,477,132
November 1 Metallica WorldWired Tour
November 3
November 26 Depeche Mode Global Spirit Tour 19,299 / 19,299 (100%)$1,544,331

2018

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

January 22 Lady Gaga Joanne World Tour 15,533 / 15,533 (100%)$1,435,452
February 16 Imagine Dragons Evolve World Tour 20,272 / 21,372$954,137
February 27 Kendrick Lamar The Damn Tour 19,424 / 19,424 (100%)$1,403,113
March 16 Harry Styles Harry Styles: Live on Tour 12,156 / 12,156 (100%)$856,747
April 17 Lana Del Rey LA to the Moon Tour
May 24 Katy Perry Witness: The Tour 15,025 / 21,172 (71%)$1,255,551
June 7 Shakira El Dorado World Tour
June 29 Queen and Adam Lambert Queen + Adam Lambert Tour 2017-2018
July 17 Justin Timberlake The Man of the Woods Tour 34,819 / 34,819 (100%)$3,191,467
July 18
August 15 Britney Spears Piece of Me Tour 17,246 / 19,911 (86%)$1,399,873
October 10 Shania Twain Now Tour
October 26 Oscar and the Wolf Infinity Tour28,379 / 31,670 (89%)$1,308,187
October 27

2019

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

January 6 André Rieu Johann Strauss Orchestra 9,634 / 10,996 (88%)$855,922
February 19Reverze
March 10 Shawn Mendes Shawn Mendes: The Tour 15,879 / 15,879 (100%)$1,017,923
May 23 Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road
July 6 Christina Aguilera X Tour 8,416 / 8,416 (100%)$547,752 [13]
August 30 Ariana Grande Sweetener World Tour
September 27 Little Mix LM5: The Tour
September 28 Cher Here We Go Again Tour

2020

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

February 2SabatonThe Great Tour

2021

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

June 2 Kiss End of the Road World Tour Rescheduled
June 9 Eric Clapton Summer 2021 European Tour Canceled
June 27 Iron Maiden Legacy of the Beast World Tour Canceled
October 30 Regi Komt wat dichterbij
November 27 Niels Destadsbader Sterker
November 28
November 29

2022

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

April 9LikeMeLikeMe On Tour (4 shows)
April 23 The War On Drugs I Don't Live Here Anymore
April 24 Hans Zimmer EU Tour 2022
May 6 Dua Lipa Future Nostalgia Tour
May 7
May 13 Tool Tool in Concert 2022
June 6 Kiss End of the Road World Tour
June 12 Eric Clapton Summer 2022 European Tour
June 15 Alicia Keys Alicia + Keys World Tour
June 16 50 Cent Tour 2022
June 21 Green Day
Fall Out Boy
Weezer
Hella Mega Tour
June 28 Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever, The World Tour
July 7 Harry Styles Love On Tour 18,245 / 18,245 (100%)$1,207,376
July 15 Queen + Adam Lambert The Rhapsody Tour
October 27 Kendrick Lamar The Big Steppers Tour
November 23 The Cure Lost World Tour
December 8 Volbeat Servant of The Road World Tour

2023

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

January 26 Robbie Williams XXV Tour
May 14 Roger Waters This Is Not A Drill
May 20 Depeche Mode Memento Mori World Tour
July 13 Iron Maiden The Future Past Tour
September 17 Celine Dion Courage World Tour
September 18
September 20
October 21 Madonna The Celebration Tour
October 22
November 12 Queens of the Stone Age The End is Nero Tour

2024

DateMain performer(s)Tour / Concert nameTickets soldTotal gross

notes

April 5 Simple Minds 2024 Global Tour
June 8 Jonas Brothers Five 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

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Sportpaleis". beatvenues.be. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 VRT (3 February 2009). "Sportpaleis draws huge crowds". flandersnews.be. deredactie.be. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Capaciteit Sportpaleis wordt opgedreven". www.nieuwsblad.be (in Dutch). 14 June 2011.
  4. "Janet Jackson niet in Sportpaleis". De Standaard. 3 October 2001.
  5. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/944/Celebrities/article/detail/1576189/2013/02/08/Record-Beyonce-verkoopt-Sportpaleis-twee-keer-uit-in-minder-dan-een-uur.dhtml.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Beyoncé annuleert concert in Sportpaleis". Het Nieuwsblad. 14 May 2013.
  7. "Genezen Beyoncé komt terug op 31 mei". Gazet van Antwerpen. 15 May 2013.
  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". 28 January 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  16. De Lijn. "Network map Antwerp city centre" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2016.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Sportpaleis (Antwerp) at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Venue

1969
Succeeded by
Preceded by UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Venue

2001
Succeeded by
Preceded by World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Venue

2013
Succeeded by