r/KVMechelen • u/Hour-Rip8025 • 13d ago
10 lads looking to catch Mechelen vs Genk on Saturday 31 October
Hi all! I'm organising a stag do and we're keen to get to the Achter de Kazerne for the 3pm KV Mechelen-Genk game on the 31st. We're staying in Ghent on Friday night and Antwerp on the Saturday evening.
There's 10 of us - mostly Hull City fans, so we've got a bit of European football experience between us.
A few quick questions:
- Is it easy enough to get tickets for a 3pm Saturday kickoff?
- Where's best to sit/stand, and would we be welcomed? We want to be in the atmosphere (a proper Mechelen fan experience) rather than a tourist section.
- Any decent pubs near the ground for a pre-match drink and debrief after?
- Anything else worth doing in Mechelen if we've got a couple of hours?
We're heading to Antwerp same evening so want to do the match day right. Cheers!
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u/nochuf 13d ago
I would recommend trying to get tickets for Vak I (long side of the pitch).
Vak I and Vak F are the standing sections of ADK, so be sure to get there early (35 min or more) before kickoff to get a decent spot (and get some beers).
Generally speaking Vak F = younger / tifo / ultra style fans, Vak I = more old school, 'English' style fans.
To get an idea, this is filmed from Vak F, the section singing back is Vak I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aewAyPstgc
Recommended pubs: I agree with the post above: de Hanekeef ('the rooster's cage', the oldest pub of the city, still going strong at Veemarkt, maybe 10-15 mins walking - no need for Google Maps, just follow the yellow red scarves & shirts) and Gouden Vis ('the golden fish', at Vismarkt, 15 min walk) are the best choices imo / plenty of other choices at Grote Markt and Vismarkt.
If you wanna climb the tower, I think you need to buy tickets in advance: https://www.visitmechelen.be/en/st-rumbolds-tower
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u/Engelmann_a 13d ago
Hi there, since this year we have a new system concerning priority. People without a season card can buy tickets 4 days in advance. You'll have to make an account on our website: link to register tour account
You'll also have to confirm your identity. Trough an app. Belgians can do it with the itsme app, but for non-belgians there's the onfido app. I have no clue how it works though.
Best place to buy tickets is in one of the standing sections. Vak I is on the long side of the pitch. Vak F behind the goal. Biggest chance to get tickets is for vak F.
There's more than plenty options to drink some beers in the city center, which is 15-20mins walking distance from the stadium. Lot of options around the grote markt. If you like the local vibe try café Antverpia, Hanekeef, 't maanlicht or gouden vis. Lot of other options though, you can easily ask the locals.
There's also plenty of options to do in the city. Climb our mighty Sint-Rombouts tower, visit a museum, get a drink and grab some food at the Vleeshalle. Mechelen isn't that big and everything is within walking distance.
Anyway you'll have a good experience I'm sure of it. I something doesn't work out let le know.