The AFAS Dome was known as the Antwerps Sportpaleis until 2024. Since September 2024 the venue carries the AFAS Dome name — after AFAS Software bought the naming rights. The building, the address (Schijnpoortweg 119 in Merksem) and the capacity (up to 23,000 visitors) are unchanged. If you searched for “Sportpaleis” or “parking Sportpaleis”, you’re in the right place — the advice on this page applies to both names.
Next to the AFAS Dome stands the Lotto Arena, a separate smaller venue (≈8,000 seats) with its own parking guidance. For Lotto Arena events: go to our dedicated page → Parking Lotto Arena Antwerp.
Via SparkSpot you reserve a private parking spot close to AFAS Dome (Deurne, Borgerhout, Merksem) at a fixed price, no surprises. Reservation is strongly recommended for sold-out concerts and major sports events, when official car parks fill within an hour of opening.
To park close to the AFAS Dome, six official paid car parks are available. Each car park is listed below with address, price and LEZ status. Important: not all car parks are open at all times — some only operate for major events or open only a few hours before the event.
| Car park | Address | Price | LEZ | Important notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaart | Schijnpoortweg 119, 2170 Merksem (right of AFAS Dome) | €10 | Outside | Limited capacity, subject to change |
| Spoor Oost | Noordersingel 40, 2140 Borgerhout | €6 | Inside LEZ | Major events only; opens 3h before event; NOT available 11 May – 5 July (Sinksenfoor) |
| Carrette | Carrettestraat, 2170 Merksem (behind Heylen Vastgoed Basket Campus) | €8 | Outside | Available during most events |
| Antwerp Ring Center | Noordersingel 17-19, 2140 Borgerhout | Variable | Inside LEZ | Price depends on event |
| Stuivenberg-EFFIA | Somméstraat 12A, 2060 Antwerp | €4 | Inside LEZ | Cheapest option |
| Gosselin Logistics Antwerp | Belcrownlaan 11, 2100 Deurne | €8 | Outside | Opens from 18:00, selected events only |
Tip: for guaranteed spots and a fixed price, reserve in advance via SparkSpot. On peak nights (sold-out concerts, Antwerp Giants home games) the official car parks fill up quickly.
To avoid traffic and expensive on-site parking, the city-edge Park & Ride sites are the smartest option. AFAS Dome visitors park for free at the four official P+R locations: Luchtbal, Merksem, Olympiade and Boechout. Each connects to the venue with a direct tram or bus. Allow 20–30 minutes one-way (including transfer time).
⚠ Important — Schelde tunnel closure 4 May 2026 – end of March 2027
Between 4 May 2026 and end of March 2027 a major renovation of the Antwerp pre-metro is under way. During that window the Schelde tunnel is closed — there are NO trams between Linkeroever and the right bank. P+R Linkeroever is therefore temporarily unusable for AFAS Dome visitors. Use one of the east-side P+Rs instead: Luchtbal, Merksem, Olympiade or Boechout.
| P+R | Address | Transit to venue | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luchtbal | Noorderlaan 500, 2030 Antwerp | Tram line 6 → stop Sport | ~20 min |
| Merksem | Bredabaan 965, 2170 Merksem | Tram line 3 → stop Sport | ~15 min |
| Olympiade | Populierenlaan 2, 2020 Antwerp | Tram line 2 → stop Sport | ~25 min |
| Boechout | Liersesteenweg 145, 2530 Boechout | Tram line 15 → stop Sport | ~30 min |
Important: P+R parking is free with a valid De Lijn ticket (MOBIB card or paper ticket). Drivers without a ticket pay a parking fee. Buy your ticket in advance from a vending machine or via the De Lijn app, and validate at every transfer.
Parking pressure near AFAS Dome varies by event type. A sold-out international concert needs a different strategy than a weekday Antwerp Giants home game. Below are our tips per event category.
For a sold-out concert, Parking Vaart and Carrette typically fill within an hour of opening. Reserve at least a week ahead via SparkSpot, or pick a P+R deliberately: Merksem (15 min) or Luchtbal (20 min) are the fastest options. Avoid Linkeroever until end of March 2027 due to the tunnel closure.
Antwerp Giants games draw smaller crowds (4,000 – 8,000 visitors, often in Lotto Arena rather than AFAS Dome itself — check your ticket). For a Giants night, Parking Vaart, Stuivenberg-EFFIA (€4!) and Carrette are usually available without reservation. Tip: arrive 30 minutes before tip-off for a relaxed approach.
The Sinksenfoor funfair occupies the grounds around AFAS Dome from mid-May to early July. During that window Parking Spoor Oost is NOT available — the funfair occupies the site. Reserve via SparkSpot or use a P+R. Other major recurring fairs (Comic Con, Antique Fair) usually follow the standard event regime.
For circus, kids’ shows or regional sports (indoor football, judo, …), parking pressure is moderate. Stuivenberg-EFFIA (€4) and Gosselin Logistics (€8, from 18:00) are great budget picks. Reservation is not always required.
Antwerp has had a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) since 2017 covering the entire inner city and parts of Linkeroever. The AFAS Dome itself sits just outside the LEZ, but many of the official paid parkings (Spoor Oost, Antwerp Ring Center, Stuivenberg-EFFIA) are inside it. Plan your route and parking based on your vehicle.
A first offence costs €150. A second and third offence within the calendar year cost €250 and €350 respectively. ANPR cameras register every licence plate entering the zone — the fine follows automatically.
If you exceptionally need to enter Antwerp with a non-compliant vehicle, you can buy a day pass for €35. Maximum 12 day passes per calendar year. Reserve via slimnaarantwerpen.be — same day or in advance.
Unsure of your Euro standard? Check your registration certificate (field V.9). Or play it safe: park at P+R Boechout, Merksem, Olympiade or Luchtbal — all four are outside the LEZ. Parking is free with a valid De Lijn ticket. From any P+R, AFAS Dome is 15 to 30 minutes by tram.
The AFAS Dome is located in Merksem, just outside the Antwerp city centre parking tariff zones. Most official event parkings have fixed event-night pricing as listed in the betaalparkings table above. For on-street parking in the surrounding streets of Merksem and Borgerhout, standard Antwerp tariff rules apply.
Not everyone who attends an AFAS Dome event parks there. For drop-off, carpool, cycle and taxi/Uber users, dedicated facilities are available.
The official Kiss & Ride zone for both AFAS Dome and Lotto Arena is next to the Gabriël Theunisbrug bridge, by the Albertkanaal. Visitors can be safely and quickly dropped off or picked up here.
Slinger is an official carpool partner of AFAS Dome. Via the widget on afas-dome.be/mobiliteit/met-de-auto, you can offer a ride or join another visitor heading to the same event. Benefits: more sustainable, cheaper (split costs), less parking pressure.
AFAS Dome is reachable via a well-developed cycle network from Antwerp city centre, Merksem and Deurne. Guarded bicycle parking is available on the Sportpaleisplein itself and at the Sport stop. Coming from further away: combine Velo Antwerp shared bikes with a train ride to Antwerpen-Centraal and rent a bike at the station.
Taxis and Ubers drop off at the Kiss & Ride zone. Antwerp taxi ranks are at the Sport stop and at Antwerpen-Centraal. On peak nights the drop-off zone can saturate — arrive 15-30 minutes earlier than strictly necessary.
Slinger is the official carpool partner of AFAS Dome. Via the widget on the AFAS Dome mobility page you can offer a lift or find a fellow visitor travelling to the same event. Carpooling reduces parking pressure for everyone and often costs less than a parking spot.
AFAS Dome has dedicated accessible parking near the venue entrance. Visitors with a European disabled parking badge (blue badge) can use the designated accessible spaces. Contact AFAS Dome in advance for the most up-to-date accessible parking information for your specific event.
Official paid car parks around AFAS Dome range from €4 (Stuivenberg-EFFIA) to €10 (Parking Vaart). Spoor Oost costs €6, Carrette and Gosselin €8 each, Antwerp Ring Center is event-dependent. Cheapest option: combine a free P+R (Luchtbal, Merksem, Olympiade or Boechout) with your De Lijn ticket — that’s €0 parking.
Not recommended between 4 May 2026 and end of March 2027. The Schelde tunnel is closed for metro renovation — no trams between Linkeroever and the right bank. Use P+R Luchtbal, Merksem, Olympiade or Boechout on the east side instead.
AFAS Dome itself sits outside the Antwerp LEZ, so driving up to the venue is usually fine. But many car parks (Spoor Oost, Stuivenberg, Antwerp Ring Center) ARE inside the LEZ. To enter the LEZ, your diesel must be at least Euro 6 (since 1 Jan 2025). Not compliant? Park outside the LEZ (Vaart €10, Carrette €8, Gosselin €8) or use a P+R.
Both venues are on the same complex and share the Kiss & Ride zone, P+Rs and most paid car parks. However: AFAS Dome (up to 23,000 capacity) draws bigger crowds than Lotto Arena (≈8,000), so car parks fill faster on AFAS Dome events. For Lotto Arena-specific tips, see sparkspot.be/en/parking/lotto-arena-antwerpen.
Yes — via SparkSpot you reserve a private parking spot close to AFAS Dome (Deurne, Borgerhout, Merksem) at a fixed price, no surprises. Reservation is strongly recommended for sold-out concerts and major sports events, when official car parks fill within an hour of opening.
At SparkSpot, it's all about smart, smooth, and stress-free city parking. Forget circling the block or risking a fine – we make parking incredibly simple.
With locations spread across the city, from the center to the lively neighborhoods beyond, you’ll always park within walking distance of where you need to be.
Search, reserve, and pay – everything is handled digitally via SparkSpot. No hassle with tickets or machines, just fast and simple service.
We make hidden parking spots available to the public. Avoid crowded areas and park up to 40% cheaper than on the street.
No more surprises – instantly see which spots are available and book in advance. Your space will be ready when you arrive.
At SparkSpot, it's all about smart, smooth, and stress-free city parking. Forget circling the block or risking a fine – we make parking incredibly simple.
With locations spread across the city, from the center to the lively neighborhoods beyond, you’ll always park within walking distance of where you need to be.
Search, reserve, and pay – everything is handled digitally via SparkSpot. No hassle with tickets or machines, just fast and simple service.
We make hidden parking spots available to the public. Avoid crowded areas and park up to 40% cheaper than on the street.
No more surprises – instantly see which spots are available and book in advance. Your space will be ready when you arrive.
