Concerts at the AFAS Dome spring 2026: the complete guide with parking tips

The AFAS Dome in Antwerp is serving up an impressive programme this spring. From Eric Clapton and Guns N' Roses to Pommelien Thijs and Tame Impala, the largest concert venue in the Benelux hosts international headliners and local favourites between April and June 2026. This guide gives you the full overview, including smart parking tips so you stroll from your car to the show without a care.

Why your concert night starts with a parking plan

The AFAS Dome, formerly known as the Sportpaleis, sits on the Schijnpoortweg and holds 18,400 spectators per show. On busy evenings all those visitors converge on the same neighbourhood at once. The Schijnpoortweg turns into a parking queue that can easily last half an hour.

Since October 2025 new parking tariff zones apply around the venue. Street parking in the Dam neighbourhood is limited to two hours on evenings and weekends, which is far too short for a concert. Anyone who leaves without a plan pays more than necessary or simply finds no space at all.

The fix is simple: choose where you park before you leave home. Free Park and Ride with a tram connection, a city centre garage with validation discount, or the official car park next to the venue. Each option has pros and cons, and the right choice depends on the concert you are attending. In this guide we pair every highlight from the spring programme with the smartest parking approach.

April 2026: from 5 Seconds of Summer to Eric Clapton

5 Seconds of Summer — Tuesday 7 April

The Australian pop band kicks off the spring calendar at the AFAS Dome with an energetic live show, joined by South Arcade and Master Peace as support acts. Expect a young crowd arriving early. The official Schijnpoortweg car park (10 euros) fills up roughly ninety minutes before doors on nights like this. The smart move is P+R Luchtbal (free, 1,700 spaces, tram 2 or 6 in ten minutes to the Sport stop) and using your concert ticket as a free De Lijn travel pass.

Alex Warren — Saturday 18 April

The American singer and songwriter brings his Little Orphan Alex Tour to Antwerp. Alex Warren draws a young, social media savvy fanbase that gathers hours before the doors open. On Saturdays the event parking zone rules kick in: street parking is limited to two hours and paid until midnight. Your best bet is a city centre garage (Roosevelt, De Keyser, Hopland or Horta) at 4 euros for six hours after validation at the venue counter, then take the tram.

Pommelien Thijs — Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 and Thursday 30 April

Pommelien Thijs plays four sold out shows at the AFAS Dome, an absolute record for the young Flemish artist. The concerts on 23, 24 and 25 April sold out at record speed, prompting an extra date on 30 April. Four consecutive evenings with 18,400 visitors each put the neighbourhood under maximum pressure. The P+R facilities are your lifeline here: Luchtbal and Merksem together offer over 2,300 free spaces with direct tram connections. Trams run extra late after the shows.

Eric Clapton — Sunday 26 April

Slowhand in Antwerp. Eric Clapton brings his timeless guitar artistry to the AFAS Dome. The audience tends to be slightly older and well prepared. Expect a calm, organised evening, but do not underestimate how busy it gets: Clapton always fills the house. Sunday evening parking rates apply until midnight in the event zone, so even on Sunday the official car park (10 euros) or a P+R is the wisest choice.

Rosalía — Monday 27 April

The Spanish superstar closes out the month with her LUX Tour. Rosalía blends flamenco with futuristic pop and attracts an international crowd. That means plenty of visitors unfamiliar with Antwerp driving to the AFAS Dome for the first time. On weekday evenings parking pressure is slightly lower, but the Schijnpoortweg remains a bottleneck. Tip: set your GPS to a P+R and skip the neighbourhood entirely. The venue and all adjacent car parks sit outside the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

May 2026: MNM, Tame Impala, Conan Gray and more

MNM Back to the 90s & Nillies — Saturday 2 May

The final edition of Flanders' most popular nostalgia festival. MNM Back to the 90s & Nillies 2026 is The Final Edition, which means ticket demand is enormous. Expect a party crowd arriving in large groups and staying late. The P+R facilities are essential here as the official car park and Carrettestraat (8 euros) will fill up fast. After the show departure is always chaotic at events like this. Taking a P+R means you dodge the Schijnpoortweg gridlock entirely.

Tame Impala — Tuesday 5 May

Kevin Parker and company bring their Deadbeat Tour to the AFAS Dome. Tame Impala are known for immersive, psychedelic live shows with spectacular lighting and sound. The concert falls on a Tuesday (public holiday), which means weekend parking rates apply for street parking. The smartest approach: park at P+R Luchtbal or Merksem, take tram 2 or 6 and enjoy the ride back with your head still full of music.

The Neighbourhood — Wednesday 13 May

The Californian indie rock band brings their Wourld Tour to Antwerp. The Neighbourhood draws a loyal, international audience. Midweek parking pressure around the venue is at its lowest, making the official Schijnpoortweg car park (10 euros) a comfortable choice on this evening. Do arrive with time to spare as doors open early.

Conan Gray — Friday 15 May

The gen pop star brings his Wishbone World Tour to the AFAS Dome, with Esha Tewari as special guest. Conan Gray draws a young, enthusiastic crowd that queues for hours. On Friday evenings event parking tariffs apply (limited to two hours). Opt for a city centre garage with validation discount: park at Horta on the Hopland, have dinner in town and take the tram. You pay 4 euros for six hours after validation.

NE-YO & AKON — Sunday 17 May

Two R&B legends on one stage. NE-YO and AKON bundle their greatest hits in the Nights Like This Tour. Expect a festive crowd and a venue dancing from start to finish. On Sunday evenings the same parking restrictions apply as on Saturday. The P+R remains the safest choice. Luchtbal has the most capacity and the tram ride takes just ten minutes. Your concert ticket is your free tram pass.

June 2026: Eurovision and Guns N' Roses

Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour — Monday 22 June

For the very first time the EBU organises an official Eurovision Live Tour, celebrating 70 years of the Song Contest. Iconic artists from seven decades share the stage with participants from Eurovision 2026. Think Johnny Logan, Lordi, Verka Serduchka and Helena Paparizou. The tour visits ten European cities and Antwerp is one of the first stops. Expect a colourful, international audience. On Monday evening parking pressure is relatively low. The official car park (10 euros) or P+R Luchtbal are both solid options.

Guns N' Roses — Sunday 28 June

The absolute highlight of the spring. Axl Rose, Slash and Duff McKagan take to a Belgian indoor stage together for the first time, with Mammoth as special guest. Guns N' Roses is the kind of event that demands a proper parking plan. Expect a massive turnout, a sold out venue and total chaos on the Schijnpoortweg if you have no alternative.

The P+R is not optional here, it is essential. P+R Luchtbal (1,700 spaces) and P+R Merksem (685 spaces) together provide ample capacity, and the free tram takes you there in ten to fifteen minutes. Note that P+R Linkeroever has no tram connection to the right bank from May 2026 due to tunnel maintenance. Avoid that option for this concert.

If you insist on parking nearby: the official car park (10 euros) and Carrettestraat (8 euros) both sit outside the LEZ. Arrive at least two hours before doors open. After the show patience is key: the Schijnpoortweg stays blocked for at least half an hour. Grab a drink nearby and wait out the worst of the rush.

Lotto Arena: the smaller sibling with a big programme

Next to the AFAS Dome stands the Lotto Arena, holding around 5,800 visitors. The Lotto Arena shares the same parking infrastructure, P+R connections and free De Lijn combi ticket. Every parking tip in this guide applies equally to Lotto Arena shows.

Between April and June 2026 the lineup includes some notable names. Louis Tomlinson plays on Sunday 19 April. Bazart performs two nights on 9 and 10 May, Arsenal on 13 May and Madison Beer with Isabel LaRosa on 28 May. Italian icon Zucchero closes out the month on 30 May.

Parking pressure at Lotto Arena shows is generally lower than at the AFAS Dome, simply because fewer visitors attend. It can still get busy when both venues run events simultaneously. Always check the calendars of both venues before you leave.

* P+R Linkeroever has no tram connection to the right bank from May 2026 to end of March 2027 due to tunnel maintenance. Not recommended for this period.

Reserve your private parking space via SparkSpot. Reserve a parking space near the AFAS Dome. Fixed price, guaranteed spot, no stress on the Schijnpoortweg. Often cheaper than the official car park at €10.

Reserve your parking spot and enjoy the show

The AFAS Dome is where the world's biggest names take the stage. Do not let parking hassle spoil your evening. Anyone who sorts out the car in advance walks in relaxed and focuses on what really matters: the music.

At SparkSpot you can find parking spaces near the AFAS Dome that you reserve ahead of time. No surprises, no stress. Tap a screen, just drive there.

Frequently asked questions

Which concerts are at the AFAS Dome in April, May and June 2026?

April features 5 Seconds of Summer (7/4), Alex Warren (18/4), Pommelien Thijs (23, 24, 25 and 30/4), Eric Clapton (26/4) and Rosalía (27/4). May brings MNM Back to the 90s (2/5), Tame Impala (5/5), The Neighbourhood (13/5), Conan Gray (15/5) and NE-YO & AKON (17/5). June hosts the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour (22/6) and Guns N' Roses (28/6).

What is the best way to park at the AFAS Dome?

The smartest option is a free P+R facility (Luchtbal or Merksem) combined with the tram. Your concert ticket serves as a free De Lijn travel pass. If you want to park close to the venue you pay 10 euros at the Schijnpoortweg or 8 euros at Carrettestraat. The cheapest option near the city centre is a garage with validation discount (4 euros for six hours).

Is my concert ticket a valid travel pass?

Yes. Your AFAS Dome or Lotto Arena ticket is valid as a free travel pass for all De Lijn trams, buses and metro services in the province of Antwerp on the day of the event. That covers both your trip to and from the venue. Tram lines 2, 3 and 6 stop at Sport, one minute from the entrance.