Cegeka Arena

Cegeka Arena
Map
Former namesThyl Gheyselinckstadion (1990–1999)
Fenixstadion (1999–2007)
Cristal Arena (2007–2016)
Luminus Arena (2016–2021)
LocationGenk, Belgium
Coordinates51°00′18″N 5°32′00″E / 51.00500°N 5.53333°E / 51.00500; 5.53333
Capacity23,718[1]
20,040 (UEFA matches)[2][3]
Field size105 x 68 m
Tenants
K.R.C. Genk

The Cegeka Arena is a multi-purpose stadium in Genk, Belgium. It is currently used mostly for association football matches and is the home ground of K.R.C. Genk. The stadium holds 23,718[1] (of which 4,200 are standing places) and was built in 1999. Heusden-Zolder played at this stadium for their single season at the top level in 2003-04. Following the relegation of the club, it moved to Mijnstadion in Beringen. The average home attendance varies from 20,000 to 22,000 supporters who visit the stadium every fortnight.

History

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Before the start of the 2007–08 season, the stadium was known as "het Fenixstadion". However, early 2007 Racing Genk signed an agreement with the Alken-Maes brewery to lease the name of the stadium for a 5-year period changing the name to Cristal Arena. In 2016, the name was changed to Luminus Arena, named after Belgian company Luminus, the new stadium sponsor, who signed a four-year deal for the naming rights.[4] In 2021, the name was changed to CegekA Arena, named after the Belgian IT company, the new stadium sponsor, who signed a ten-year deal for the naming rights.[4]

The Belgium national football team played two games at this venue in 2009, a friendly against Slovenia and a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they lost 2–4.

On 20 November 2018, Italy played a friendly against the United States, and won by a 94-minute goal from Matteo Politano.

References

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  1. ^ a b Luminus Arena krcgenk.be (last check 30/03/2018)
  2. ^ Breaking New Ground Belgium The Netherlands Germany bidding to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 (PDF). FIFA. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  3. ^ https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/StatDoc/competitions/UCL/01/67/63/78/1676378_DOWNLOAD.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ a b "Belgium: Genk to have carbon-neutral stadium".
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