Luminus Arena / Cegeka Arena (Genk)

Luminus Arena is a multi-purpose stadium in Genk, Belgium. It is used mostly for association football matches and is the home ground of K.R.C. Genk.

General information

Arena capacity: 23,718 spectators

Address: Stadionplein, 3600 Genk, Belgium

GPS coordinates for the navigator: Stadionplein, 3600 Genk, Belgium

Year of construction: 1999

Field: grass lawn with dimensions of 105 x 68

Seating plan of Luminus Arena

The CegekA Arena is made up of a bowl of continuous seating, as is common in most European venues. It has two tiers and about one-third of the second tier is given over to hospitality areas. Behind the Southern goal is a terraced area, whilst in the Northern corner there are actually four small tiers.

Where to buy tickets?

The cost of tickets depends on how old you are, which game you want to see and where in the ground you’d like to sit. Matches are categorised, with games against the likes of Standard de Liège costing a little more than ones versus non-rivals.

You can get tickets from the Ticketshop KRC Genk, online and at the Arena itself. The ticket counter is open from two hours before kick-off until the start of the match.

How to get there?

The Luminus Arena is located on the northern edge of the city of Genk, approximately 5.5 kilometres from the city centre and main railway station.

Train

A train journey from London to Genk takes just under six hours. You’ll head firstly to Brussels and then on to Genk itself. Genk Train Station is the closest to the ground, but it’s still about four miles away.

Bus

Bus number G1 is the one that calls closest to the stadium.

Car

The CegekA Arena sits almost smack bang in the middle of the N76 and the N75 and not far from the A2. They’re the main roads you’ll be looking for if you’re driving to the ground, with plenty of signs visible as you get closer.

By Air

Maastricht Aachen Airport is about 25 miles from the centre go Genk and is the major airport you’ll be heading to if you’re flying.

Taxi

A cab from Genk Train Station to the arena will set you back about €20 and should take around ten minutes to complete its journey.

Parking

There is a large parking area near to the stadium.

Where to eat and sleep?

There is nowhere particularly close to the stadium, but there are plenty of accommodation options within a 5 mile radius.

1. Green Hotel. This two-star hotel is located in the heart of Genk, about three miles from the stadium. There are just over twenty rooms, so you’ll be able to enjoy a reasonably personalised experience. If you’re the sort of person that likes to be able to work on a computer regularly then you’ll be pleased to know there’s free Wi-Fi.
2. Hotel-Brasserie De Klok. A little further afield at ten miles away from the ground is this slightly smaller hotel with just ten guest rooms. There’s a garden and a terrace area as well as free parking if you happen to be in a car. There’s also a restaurant and bar area where you can get breakfast in the morning.
3. Hotel Stiemerheide. Two and a half miles from the CegekA Arena is this four-star hotel that boasts two restaurants, a sauna and an indoor pool. There’s also a terraced area, a garden, some meeting rooms and a business centre. If you’re driving there’s free parking and if you want to do some work then there’s free Wi-Fi.

It’s a similar story with pubs as it is with hotels. If you aren’t simply going to have a pint at the stadium, then these are the next best options.

1. The Olympia isn’t the sort of place you’ll want to head to if you’re desperate to watch live sport, but if you fancy a bite to eat and a drink in a Greek restaurant that is well-known throughout the city then this is the place for you. The menu is full of delicious treats and the drinks options are top-notch too.
2. The Three Wise Men. The Three Wise Men is actually located inside AA Drink Soccer Arena, a five-a-side style football arena on the fringes of the city. As well as being able to watch some live sport here you’ll also be able to play it! You can eat and drink here until you’re merry, but maybe do that after you’ve played football if that’s what you’re planning on doing.
3. ‘t Stadscafé. Much like with Olympia, this isn’t really the place to go to watch live sport. It’s a nice restaurant, though, with a wide selection of food and plenty of things to drink. If you’re the sort of person who likes a decent bite to eat then you might want to head here for dinner before going to a pub to watch football, if that’s your plan.

Facilities

They’ve certainly got everything in good order when it comes to hospitality and events, and even though it was built in the 90s the place has a nice feel to it with everything the average supporter would want.

As mentioned, the upper section of the Western Tribune is dedicated to business seating. Much like with the regular seating, Genk’s hospitality options are broken up into categories. Do you want just a posh seat? Would you prefer dinner in a smart environment as well as a match ticket? Or how about the less formal setting of the Cristal Bizz Café? The choice, as Our Graham used to say, is yours.

CegekA Arena is pretty much the perfect venue for whatever kind of corporate event you might be looking to host. There are two large spaces that can accommodate up around 850 guests as well as a number of smaller rooms for those of you looking to host a more intimate meeting. Whatever sort of do you’re looking to hold there can be taken of, basically.

Accessibility

There is accessible parking at the stadium. Permits need to be obtained from the club in advance. The parking spaces are around 50m from the entrance to the stadium, and are stewarded.

The club provides complimentary tickets for Personal Assistants. For more information on buying a ticket, contact the club directly.

Wheelchair User spaces: 56, situated on one side of the stadium. Sightlines are good, seats are sheltered, and there are no obstructed views.

There are accessible refreshment kiosks, though they do not have low level counters.

There are 2 accessible toilets available. All toilets have level access, grab rails and sufficient space for a wheelchair user and Personal Assistant.

The club provides headsets for blind and partially sighted supporters where they can access the radio to listen to the commentary of the match.

Guide dogs are not permitted in the stadium.

History

The stadium stands on the site of the former venue the André Dumont Stadium. It was completely rebuilt in 1999 when Genk won their first top-flight title. It was originally known as Thyl Gheyselinckstadion and was renamed as Fenixstadion after the re-build. It was intended to be used as a venue for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, had Belgium won the rights to host it. Had that happened then the capacity would also have been increased to 45,000.