Joseph Marien Stadium


The Joseph Marien Stadium is a multi-use stadium located within Duden Park in the municipality of Forest in Brussels, Belgium. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The stadium holds 9,400 since 2018 and was opened in 1919. Its entrance is at one end of the Rue du Stade/Stadionstraat.

History

Early construction

In 1909, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was offered a site in Duden Park in Forest, Brussels. Construction started in 1915, during World War I, and ended in 1919. On 14 September 1919, the stadium opened with a friendly game between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and A.C. Milan.

1920 Summer Olympics

The stadium hosted some of the football events for the 1920 Summer Olympics.
DateRoundGameResultAttendance
1August 28, 1920First round3–03,000
2August 28, 1920First round0–13,000
3August 29, 1920Quarter-final4–04,000

1926 renovation

In 1926, the stadium was renovated after a design by architect Albert Callewaert. On this occasion, it was given an Art Deco façade that holds bas-reliefs by Oscar De Clercq.
File:Stade Joseph Marien during a match Union Saint-Gilloise vs Daring Club de Bruxelles in the 1930s.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|A packed stadium during a match of Union against Daring Club de Bruxelles in the 1930s