New Populous-Designed Corda Arena Opens in Belgium, Creating High-Tech Event Experiences and Opportunities

The new Corda Arena, located at the Corda Campus in Hasselt, Belgium, draws on more than 40 years of Populous experience in the design of arenas, convention and exhibition centre design

The new €43 million arena is a centrepiece of Corda Campus, a leading technology campus in the heart of the Euregio in Flanders. Home to 250 companies and 5,000 jobs, the campus is a business community built around collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

Advanced technology at the heart of the experience

With capacity for up to 3,750 people, the Corda Arena combines advanced technology with flexible layouts to accommodate events ranging from international conferences and product launches to trade fairs, fashion shows, esports and media productions.

Designed to expand the possibilities of traditional event experiences, the venue supports holographic content and events that audiences can experience in person, digitally or virtually.

At its heart is a 240-square-metre LED screen that can be divided into eight sections. Together with four holographic applications and advanced lighting and sound systems, it gives event organisers considerable flexibility in shaping each event. The arena also has three floors, each with eight fully equipped skyboxes that can be used flexibly during events.

The experience begins outside. Corda Arena’s striking external façade features 75 LED screens that can be adapted to each event. Company logos, personalised messages and moving images can transform the exterior into an integral part of the experience.

Three ways to experience events in one arena

Corda Arena offers three ways to experience an event. In-person visitors see visuals, sound, lighting and technology brought together throughout the venue. Digital audiences can follow a multi-camera livestream and choose between the programme feed and other camera angles.

In the virtual Corda Arena, visitors can explore a digital version of the building as avatars, watch events from their preferred seats and interact with other virtual visitors. The ArenaStreams platform extends the experience beyond the live event, allowing users to revisit recorded events and other content on a conventional screen or in virtual reality. It functions as an on-demand platform for event content.

“Corda Arena brings together our extensive experience in designing arenas, convention centres and exhibition venues. We are proud to have created a high-tech, immersive venue that will be a landmark for the events industry in Belgium and across Europe.” ”

François Clément, Senior Principal at Populous and project lead for Corda Arena

Raf Degens, CEO of Corda Campus: “We are extremely proud that Corda Arena is finally opening its doors. This milestone adds another dimension to our campus and creates a place where technology, entrepreneurship and experience come together.”

International ambitions and economic impact

Corda Arena aims to attract a new segment of the events market, including corporate events that require specialised infrastructure.

The venue’s technology enables content exchanges with other high-tech arenas around the world, including Sphere in Las Vegas. This creates opportunities for events that connect venues and audiences across continents.

The design was created by Populous in collaboration with architects UAU Collectiv and interior designer Crenaud international. Belgian and international partners including PRG, PWL, Dolby and Prismax also contributed to the arena’s development.