Forest National, known in Dutch as Vorst Nationaal, is a circular multi-purpose arena in the Forest municipality of Brussels, Belgium. It opened on October 8, 1970 with a performance by Maurice Béjart’s Ballet of the 20th Century, and has since grown into the largest concert hall in the Belgian capital.
The venue’s original 5,500-seat capacity expanded to 8,400 after a 1995 renovation that upgraded its lighting and sound systems. Over more than five decades, its round stage-in-the-round layout has hosted an extraordinary run of touring legends, from The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to David Bowie, ABBA, Queen, and Metallica, cementing its reputation as one of Europe’s most storied arenas.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Forest, Brussels, Belgium
- Type: Multi-purpose circular arena
- Opened: October 8, 1970
- Original capacity: 5,500 seats
- Current capacity: 8,400 seats (after 1995 renovation)
- Famous for: Rolling Stones, Queen, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and dozens of other legendary tour stops
A Circular Stage in the Heart of Brussels
Forest National’s defining feature is its circular interior, an unusual design for a venue of its era that gives concertgoers an unusually intimate view no matter where they sit. The arena opened its doors in 1970 with a dance performance rather than a rock show, but it quickly became a magnet for touring musicians looking for a mid-sized European stop with strong acoustics.
A major renovation in 1995 pushed capacity from 5,500 to 8,400 seats and modernized the lighting and sound rigs, allowing the venue to compete with newer arenas across the continent while keeping its distinctive round footprint intact.
Decades of Legendary Performances
Few European venues can match Forest National’s guest list. The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, ABBA, Depeche Mode, Iron Maiden, Metallica, U2, Bon Jovi, Elton John, and Ed Sheeran are among roughly 130 named artists who have played the arena across its history, spanning rock, pop, metal, and beyond.
Beyond music, the arena has also hosted indoor sports, including the Donnay Indoor Championships tennis tournament and a Belgium-Argentina Davis Cup semifinal, along with the Brussels Royal IHSC ice hockey club, making it a genuine multi-purpose fixture of the city.
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Forest National FAQs
When did Forest National open?
Forest National opened on October 8, 1970, with a performance by Maurice Béjart’s Ballet of the 20th Century.
What is Forest National’s seating capacity?
The arena originally seated 5,500 people; a 1995 renovation expanded capacity to 8,400 seats.
What artists have performed at Forest National?
Roughly 130 named acts have played the venue over the decades, including The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen, David Bowie, ABBA, Metallica, U2, and Ed Sheeran.
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Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.