The ING Arena is an indoor arena in Brussels, Belgium, that is part of the Brussels Expo complex. Located on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in Laeken (northern part of the City of Brussels), it was originally built as the twelfth hall of the complex in 1989, but was extensively redesigned and reopened in its current form in September 2013.[2] Until 14 September 2023, the arena was known as the Palais 12 in French or Paleis 12 in Dutch.[3] It now hosts major events, such as concerts, conferences, entertainment shows and major sporting events for a maximum capacity of 15,000 people.[4]
The ING Arena forms the foundation stone for the NEO project, which aims to refurbish the Heysel Plateau into a new, modern, multipurpose neighbourhood in northern Brussels.[5][6]
The ING Arena is circumscribed by the Chaussée Romaine/Romeinsesteenweg, the Avenue de Madrid/Madridlaan, the Avenue de Miramar/Miramarlaan, the Avenue Impératrice Charlotte/Keizerin Charlottelaan, the Avenue des Magnolias/Magnolialaan, the Rue des Genévriers/Jeneverbomenstraat and the Rue du Verregat/Verregatstraat. This site is served by Heysel/Heizel metro station on line 6 of the Brussels Metro.
In 2016, the Dalai Lama was a guest at an event at the Palais 12.[7] The Music Industry Awards have been presented annually in the hall since 2017. The 2017 Davis Cup World Group semifinals saw the Belgium Davis Cup team play Australia on 15–17 September. The hosts at the Palais 12 won the game 3–2 on clay.[8]
The Palais 12 was one of nine venues for the 2019 Men's European Volleyball Championship held in Belgium, France, Netherlands and Slovenia.[9]
Other notable concerts and events held in the arena include:
