KRC Genk Becomes One of The First Belgian Clubs with Dementia-Friendly Stadiums

KRC Genk Becomes One of The First Belgian Clubs with Dementia-Friendly Stadiums

From now on, KRC Genk, will be playing football in dementia-friendly stadiums. The club, as well as KVC Westerlo, has made adjustments to its stadiums under the guidance of Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen to achieve this status. At KRC Genk, car parks, the main stand, and various entrances have been given new, more logical names.

The League is grateful to both clubs for providing people with dementia and their caregivers with the opportunity to reminisce and create new memories with each visit. The clubs have trained their hospitality staff and stewards to recognise and support these vulnerable individuals. They have also ensured that seats are accessible, near sanitary facilities, and, in Westerlo’s case, even marked for easy identification. KRC Genk has gone further by offering a low-stimulus space. Genk and Westerlo are leading examples of clubs where “experience” and “integration” are not just slogans but lived realities.

“Dementia remains the number one disease in the world. With the KRC Genk Foundation, we want to continue drawing attention to the disease. The Young Dementia Café was a great first step on non-competition days, and now we are extending this by making our matches dementia-friendly. This helps to remove the stigma surrounding (young) dementia and ensures that those affected can remain part of mainstream society for as long as possible”

Erik Grits, Head of Community at KRC Genk

KVC Westerlo’s initiative responds to the demographic reality in their region, where one in four residents is 65 years or older, and one in five people will suffer from dementia. explains, “Making our stadium dementia-friendly is just the start of a broader plan to raise awareness about (young) dementia. Football is a unifying force in society, and we want to ensure that no one is excluded, regardless of their health. This is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for many years.”

Wim Van Hove, CEO of KVC Westerlo

Thanks to these efforts, fans can continue to support their teams with pride, while the clubs gain points in community spirit and their supporters regain quality of life. No VAR is needed to see that.

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