Freethiel Stadion
Freethiel | |
Freethielstadion | |
![]() Interactive map of Freethielstadion | |
| Location | Beveren, Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°12′51″N 4°14′38″E / 51.214139°N 4.243931°E |
| Capacity | 8,190[1] |
Executive suites | 14[1] |
| Surface | Hybrid grass[2] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 31 July 1938 |
| Renovated | 1949, 1967, 1991, 2008 to 2009 |
| Expanded | 1967, 1972, 1974, 1979 |
| Tenants | |
| KSK Beveren (1938 to 2010) Waasland-Beveren / SK Beveren (2010 to present)[1] | |
| Website | |
| www | |
Freethiel Stadion (Dutch: Freethielstadion; also known as De Freethiel) is a football stadium in Beveren, Belgium. It is the home ground of SK Beveren and was historically used by KSK Beveren.[1] The stadium has a capacity of 8,190 and forms part of the SK Beveren and Freethiel football facilities at Stadionplein 1, which include nine football pitches and a stadium with a hybrid grass field.[1][2]
History
[edit]The stadium name derives from Frederik Thielemans, who owned a cycling track at the site and converted it into a football ground for Sportkring Beveren-Waes. The ground was inaugurated on 31 July 1938 with a match against Ronse.[1] After the Second World War, the playing surface was relaid with polder soil, and a concrete stand was inaugurated on 21 August 1949.[1]
After KSK Beveren reached the top division in 1967, the stadium was rebuilt with new changing rooms, press facilities and supporter accommodation. Its capacity was increased in 1972 and again in 1974, when floodlights were installed.[1] A redevelopment file was submitted to the municipality of Beveren in 2005. Demolition of the main stand began in June 2008, and the first stone for a new main stand was laid on 27 October 2008.[1]
On 7 June 2022, Waasland-Beveren and KSK Beveren announced an agreement under which Waasland-Beveren would play as SK Beveren from the 2022 to 2023 season, while Supporterskring Beveren would play as KSK Beveren under matricule 2300.[3]
Facilities
[edit]The Freethiel facilities are listed by the municipality of Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht as municipal sports infrastructure.[2] Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht was formed on 1 January 2025 through the merger of Beveren, Kruibeke and Zwijndrecht.[4] The site includes nine football pitches, of which five are natural grass and four are artificial turf, a stadium with a hybrid grass field and parking.[2] The club's stadium page lists 3,515 covered seats, 3,000 covered standing places, 1,166 business seats and 14 skyboxes.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Het stadion". SK Beveren (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Voetbalterreinen SK Beveren en Freethiel". Gemeente Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Historisch akkoord trekt streep onder verleden, legt fundamenten voor geel-blauwe toekomst". SK Beveren (in Dutch). 7 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Gemeente Beveren-Kruibeke-Zwijndrecht". Vlaanderen.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 July 2026.
