Stayen

About Stayen

If you find yourself wandering through the charming Flemish town of Sint-Truiden, make sure to visit the Stayen, where Belgian football has been played since 1927. This isn't your typical modern football ground that could be anywhere in Europe. Instead, it's a stadium with genuine character that has grown organically with its community over nearly a century. The current version holds just under 15,000 supporters, which creates an intimate atmosphere where you can actually hear the players shouting to each other and feel genuinely connected to the action on the pitch.

Here's what makes the Stayen truly special for visitors: the north side of the stadium contains the Stayen Hotel, and if you book one of the twenty rooms that face the pitch, you'll wake up to one of the most unusual views in football. Imagine having your morning coffee while gazing out over the same grass where Sint-Truidense will be battling for points that weekend. Even if you're not staying overnight, the novelty of a hotel built directly into a football stadium makes this a memorable stop on any Belgian football pilgrimage. It's exactly the kind of quirky, personal touch that separates lower-league European football from the corporate mega-stadiums of the top divisions.