Sportpaleis opened its doors in Merksem, Antwerp, Belgium, on September 11, 1933, originally built as a velodrome to host track cycling events. Over nine decades it grew into one of Europe’s busiest indoor arenas, expanding from its cycling roots into a full-scale concert and sports venue capable of holding tens of thousands of fans under one roof.
In 2025, after 92 years as Sportpaleis, the venue entered a naming partnership with Dutch software company AFAS and was officially renamed AFAS Dome on September 1, though longtime fans still know it by its original name. This guide covers everything you need to actually visit: the address, how to get there, parking, seating capacity by configuration, and where to buy tickets.
Quick Answer
Sportpaleis is a 23,001-capacity indoor arena in Merksem, Antwerp, Belgium (address: Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Antwerpen), officially renamed AFAS Dome on September 1, 2025. It’s reachable by train to Antwerp Centraal plus tram 3 toward Merksem, has several paid and Park & Ride parking options nearby, and tickets and current event details are sold through the official AFAS Dome website.
From Velodrome to World-Class Arena
Sportpaleis began life in 1933 as a purpose-built velodrome for track cycling, a hugely popular sport in Belgium at the time. As live entertainment and major sporting events grew in scale through the 20th century, the venue adapted, eventually becoming the multipurpose arena recognized today.
A major renovation between 2010 and 2013 replaced the arena’s roof and added roughly 2,600 spectator spaces, bringing total capacity up from about 18,400 to as many as 23,001 and pushing the facility up to modern arena standards while preserving its status as a cultural landmark in Antwerp.
Why Sportpaleis Became AFAS Dome
The name change was announced on April 2, 2025, and took effect September 1, 2025, ending 92 years under the Sportpaleis name — the first rebrand since the venue opened in 1933. The arena entered a long-term naming-rights partnership with AFAS, a Dutch business-software company, in a deal arranged by venue operator Be-At Venues (Be•at).
Beyond the new sign, the partnership is funding infrastructure upgrades, a new VIP lounge, and technology improvements to the concert experience, with much of the work targeted for completion around 2033 — the arena’s 100th anniversary. Locals and regular concertgoers still commonly call it Sportpaleis, and both names refer to the exact same building in Merksem.
A Stage for Global Superstars
Over the decades, Sportpaleis hosted international headliners including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Metallica, alongside major sporting championships such as the World Gymnastics Championships in 2013 and 2023 and the Basketball Champions League Final Four in 2019. Its consistently packed calendar helped it earn recognition from Billboard as the second most-visited event hall on the planet during 2007-2008, trailing only New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The venue’s drawing power hasn’t faded under its new name: in October 2025, Belgian pop group K3 was honored with a be•at Award for selling out 31 K3 Originals concerts at the arena, among the biggest concert runs in the building’s history.
Seating Capacity & Configurations Explained
Capacity at Sportpaleis/AFAS Dome changes depending on how the show is staged, which is why you’ll see different numbers floating around online. In the standard end-stage layout used for most concerts, the arena holds roughly 15,089 with a seated floor or up to about 19,918 with a standing floor.
For the largest shows, the venue switches to a full-oval ‘in the round’ setup that uses the entire bowl: up to 18,575 seated, or as many as 23,001 with a standing floor — the figure most often quoted as the arena’s maximum capacity. Which configuration is used depends entirely on the specific event, so check your ticket or the seating map linked from the event page for the exact layout.
Address, Parking & Getting There
AFAS Dome (Sportpaleis) is located at Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Antwerpen, in the Merksem district just northeast of Antwerp’s city center. Nearby paid car parks commonly used for events include Spoor Oost (Noordersingel 40, Borgerhout) and Carrette (Carrettestraat, Merksem), typically a short walk from the venue, while cheaper Park & Ride lots — at Merksem, Luchtbal, Linkeroever, and Olympiade — connect in by tram or shuttle for a fraction of the cost of lots right next to the arena.
By public transport, take a train to Antwerp Centraal, then tram 3 toward Merksem and get off at the stop nearest the venue; many event tickets double as a De Lijn transit ticket for the day, which is worth checking for your specific show. Because exact parking prices, lot availability, and transit schedules shift by event and season, use the official AFAS Dome mobility page for the current details before you travel.
Tickets & Practical Info
There’s no single fixed ticket price for Sportpaleis/AFAS Dome — pricing depends entirely on the artist, seating tier, and whether the show uses the standard or in-the-round configuration, since this is a multipurpose arena hosting everything from arena-rock tours to gymnastics championships. Tickets are sold through the venue’s official ticketing channel and box office, and official pages exist for every scheduled event.
For the safest and most current pricing, on-sale dates, and seating charts for a specific show, start at the official AFAS Dome website rather than secondary resale sites, which often list inflated prices even before tickets officially go on sale.
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Sportpaleis Antwerp arena FAQs
Is Sportpaleis still called Sportpaleis?
No. After 92 years under its original name, the venue was renamed AFAS Dome on September 1, 2025, as part of a long-term naming partnership with Dutch software company AFAS. Many locals still call it Sportpaleis out of habit, and both names refer to the same arena.
Where is Sportpaleis (AFAS Dome) located, and what’s the address?
It’s located at Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Antwerpen, in the Merksem district of Antwerp, Belgium.
How many people can Sportpaleis (AFAS Dome) hold?
Capacity depends on the event layout. In the standard end-stage setup it’s roughly 15,089 seated or 19,918 standing. In the full ‘in the round’ configuration used for the biggest shows, it rises to up to 18,575 seated or as many as 23,001 standing, the figure most often cited as the arena’s maximum.
Is there parking at Sportpaleis/AFAS Dome?
Yes. Nearby paid car parks like Spoor Oost and Carrette sit close to the venue, and cheaper Park & Ride lots at Merksem, Luchtbal, Linkeroever, and Olympiade connect in by tram or shuttle. Exact prices and availability vary by event, so check the official mobility page before your visit.
How do you get to Sportpaleis/AFAS Dome by public transport?
Take a train to Antwerp Centraal, then tram 3 toward Merksem and get off at the stop nearest the venue. Many event tickets also function as a De Lijn transit ticket for the day.
Why was Sportpaleis renamed AFAS Dome?
In April 2025, venue operator Be-At Venues announced a naming-rights partnership with Dutch software company AFAS, effective September 1, 2025. The deal funds infrastructure, VIP lounge, and technology upgrades, much of it aimed at having the arena ready for its 100th anniversary in 2033.
Where can you buy tickets for AFAS Dome events?
Tickets are sold through the official AFAS Dome website and box office for each individual event. Buying directly from the official site is the safest way to avoid inflated resale prices and to get accurate seating and pricing information.
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