Het Kuipje

Het Kuipje, also known as 't Kuipje or 't Kuipke, is a football stadium located in the Belgian town of Westerlo. It is the home of KVC Westerlo, a team that plays in the Belgian First Division. With a capacity for 8,035 spectators, the stadium offers an intimate and close atmosphere for fans. 

Opened in 1933, Het Kuipje has witnessed numerous transformations over the years. One of the most prominent occurred in the 2008-2009 season, when an underground heating system was installed on the pitch, making Westerlo the third Belgian club to have this technology, after KRC Genk and Standard Liege. 

The name 'Het Kuipje' translates to 'The Little Tub', in reference to De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, home of Feyenoord. This designation reflects a symbolic connection with the iconic Dutch stadium, albeit on a more modest scale. 

KVC Westerlo was one of the first Belgian clubs to remove safety barriers in their stadium, promoting a safer and more pleasant experience for spectators. In addition, there are around six additional football fields next to the stadium, used for training and matches for lower categories.