The once so-illustrious Union Saint-Gilloise appeared to have become a mere footnote in Belgium’s football history. However, the club has risen from the dead and is flying high again. But no matter what level the club plays at, they are playing in what we believe is the most beautiful stadium in Belgium.
To learn more about Union’s glory years, we must dig deep into the history books. The club from Brussels became champions seven times between 1904 and 1913. Since then, the club has only managed to add another three to the collection. Those glory years, however, have made Union one of the most successful Belgian football clubs ever. In 1973 the club was relegated from the first division and was not to be seen there again until 2021. Since then, Union has done the unimaginable and has established itself as a title contender.
Joseph Marien Stadium, located in the suburbs of Brussels, has been the home of Union for over a century and is unique in its kind. A beautiful location, with a monumental main stand that takes you back in time and where trees from Dudenpark surround the uncovered stands. There is no other stadium like it.
Comfort should be the last thing you expect when watching a match in the Joseph Marien Stadium, instead expect to find a lot of nostalgia. When you walk to the stadium on the Brusselsesteenweg you will immediately notice the art-deco facade of the main stand, which dates back to 1926. The inside is even more reminiscent of a museum with a collection of trophies and paintings. Given its monumental status, the club is not allowed to make big changes to the building, which is why most elements are still the exact same as they were a hundred years ago. This also means that you will be sitting on wooden strips which will discomfort your bum for 90 minutes.
Underneath the main stand, you will find the clubhouse, where you can grab a pint and talk to some fans about the new and upcoming glory years. In the corner, you will also find the fan shop where you can buy a beautiful yellow and blue scarf before the match starts.
On the opposite side of the stadium, you will find Union’s Taverne, a cosy football pub where fans get together hours before kick-off. After all, the Belgians are famed for spending time in pubs and drinking beer. A bit further on the street is Chez Katy, a café run by a proper Union family.
If you have got time to spare, then turn the first corner left just before arriving at the stadium. You will then walk into Dudenpark and will be met by old ticket houses and hills that surround the stands. Climbing up these steep hills can be very tough, but not entirely impossible for the fit ones around you. But if you manage to stay patient and walk around the stadium through the park you will see plenty of more accessible spots to have a view of Union’s home turf.
Stade Adrien Bertelson is a small twenty-minute walk away from Joseph Marien. Located right in the shadows of the concert hall Vorst Nationaal. Even though it is currently not being used anymore, it is a stadium with a story. For years, this used to be the home ground of RCS La Forestoise (matricule number 51). In the 1960s, the Belgian FA even considered making this stadium the home turf of the Belgian Red Devils, but in the end, this never happened. If you like old stadiums that are covered in moss, then it is worth your twenty minutes.
Since Union’s promotion back to the top flight, the club has become extremely popular. This also means that almost every match is sold out. But that is not necessarily a problem. Create an account on the club’s official website, be ready for when the ticket sales go live and you will likely have bought yourself a ticket. Be aware that every ticket must be connected to a unique personal account, which means that everyone has to have an account.
Given its location in an old neighbourhood, it is quite difficult to reach the Joseph Marien Stadium, especially by car considering there it is incredibly hard to find parking spaces near the ground. So it is suggested to park your car a bit further and take tram 82 to the stop Union, which is only a couple minutes away from the stadium. From the train station Brussels Midi (Brussels-South), you can also take tram 82 to Union.
Images: Marco Magielse
