Westerlo

Het Kuipje is the intimate and characterful home of KVC Westerlo, located at De Merodedreef 189 in the town of Westerlo in the Antwerp province of Belgium. The stadium holds 8,182 supporters and is one of the most compact venues in the Belgian Pro League. Despite its modest size, it generates an atmosphere that reflects the tight bond between the club and its local community in this small Kempen town. The name "Het Kuipje" translates loosely as "the little barrel", a reference to its round, bowl-like shape.

Westerlo Football Club was founded in 1933 and has spent much of its history navigating between the top two divisions of Belgian football. The club is closely associated with the De Merode family, local aristocrats who have long been connected to the area's heritage. This backing has given Westerlo a stability unusual for a club of its size, and the surrounding parkland of the De Merode estate provides a distinctive backdrop to the stadium. The ground reflects the club's roots in the rural Kempen landscape, contrasting sharply with the urban settings of most Pro League clubs.

Westerlo's most recent Pro League period has seen the club hold their own at the top level of Belgian football, with the compact dimensions of Het Kuipje proving to be a genuine home advantage against larger, better-resourced opponents. The tight stands bring spectators extremely close to the pitch, creating an intense, pressurised environment for visitors. While redevelopment to meet modern top-flight standards has been ongoing, the ground retains much of its old-fashioned character. For away fans fortunate enough to visit, it offers one of Belgian football's most unusual and memorable matchday experiences.