Key facts
Club: Sporting de Charleroi | Opening: 1939 | Capacity: 15,000 seats
History and description
The site of Stade du Pays de Charleroi was first used for football in 1923, however it took until 1939 before an actual stadium was built.
Stade du Pays de Charleroi, then called Stade Mambourg, opened on the 5th of March 1939 with a match between Charleroi and US Centre (2-1).
For most of the next decades Stade Mambourg consisted of one small seater stand, one covered terrace at the opposite side, and terraces in the corners short ends.
In the 1980s, first the main stand got replaced by a new one that covered the entire length of the pitch, and next two new covered terraces were built at both short ends. These terraces were later fitted with seats.
Stade Mambourg remained a modest ground until it got selected as one of the playing venues of Euro 2000. A major redevelopment program brought capacity to the required 30,000 seats. Works included the construction of second tier on three of the four stands, and a steep third tier on Tribune III. After the reopening of the stadium in May 1999, its name got changed to Stade du Pays de Charleroi.
During the European Championships, Stade du Pays de Charleroi hosted three group matches. After the tournament the third tier on Tribune III got removed again, reducing capacity to 25,000 seats.
Over a decade later, in 2012, it turned out that the city of Charleroi, owner of the stadium, had failed to apply for planning permission for the expansion, and they were told to tear down the upper tiers of the stadium, which resulted in a reduction of capacity to 15,000 seats.
In recent years, Charleroi have been looking to build a new stadium in the suburb of Marchienne-au-Pont. Plans are still in the planning phase but preliminary plans suggest a capacity of about 20,000 with the aim of having the stadium completed in 2024.
(photos of the present Stade du Pays de Charleroi below)
How to get to Stade du Pays de Charleroi
Stade du Pays de Charleroi is located on the northern edge of Chareleroi’s city centre. The walk from the city’s central Place Charles II takes only 10 minutes. The walk from Charleroi’s main railway station, Gare de Charleroi-Sud, just over 20 minutes.
Regular direct trains connect Charleroi with major Belgian cities such as Brussels and Liège. In both cases the journey takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Address: Boulevard Zoé Drion 19, 6000 Charleroi
Charleroi Tickets
Tickets for Charleroi matches can be bought online through Tickethour, at the club shop at Stade du Pays de Charleroi, or at the ticket windows of the stadium on the day of the match. Identification may be required.
Tickets cost either €18.00 or €20.00, both for the long sides. Tickets for the stands behind the goals do not go on general sale. Tickets are €3.00 more expensive if bought at the ticket windows on the day.
Photos of Stade du Pays de Charleroi
Relevant Internet links
Sporting-charleroi.be – Official website of Sporting de Charleroi.
Charleroi.be – Tourist information for the city of Charleroi.
B-rail.be – Check train times and fares.
3 comments
Having recently moved to the area I thought I would try out this stadium that was last visited with England many years ago.
We arrived without tickets for a league game v Genk. Both teams on the edge of the play offs and with the mid-season break this game was crucial.
We easily parked in what I assume are side streets used by all fans and quickly found our way to the stadium noticing that a whole host of bars / cafes are open for all to visit.
We found the ticket office easily and purchased tickets for 21 Euros located in Tribune 4 which is a side stand and we were located next to the Ultra wannabes. the main stand for the Ultras is Tribune 3 which we will definitely try one day, probably when I am fully fit and able to stand for that amount of time.
The atmosphere outside was in now intimidating and we were welcomed by the locals when we sampled the local brew in a bar next to the ground.
Inside the ground the bars were open and sold alcohol that you were able to take to your seats right up until the final whistle.
A 2-1 victory for Charleroi obviously put the locals in a good mood and even made for the players doing a lap of honour after the final whistle.
A highly recommended ground, cheap, with an atmosphere and it certainly ticked all the right boxes for me.
I would say that I don’t expect tickets to be available for all games on the day. Certainly the upcoming games against Anderlecht and Standard Liege you would be best advised to buy tickets prior to the day of the game if possible.
It was the best game experience I have ever had! I had Front row seats, away from the local “ultra” hooligans,for 16 euros. The seats were quite comfortable although I stood up most of the game. The locals were very friendly (to Charleroi supporters) and the atmosphere was wonderful. They probably don’t do this every time, but there were fireworks on the roof there is also a rain cover over part of the stadium. It was awesome!
Possibly one of the worst grounds I’ve ever been in. It was wonderful. Bird droppings on broken seats. Even the locals were visibly annoyed when they walked into the ground for the first game of the season 2013/14. As the top tiers have been taken down, it’s all open. Good atmosphere though.
I’m not one for new grounds. I tend to think they have no soul. This is a shabby old ground with loads of charisma and I loved it.