Red Lions players Arthur Van Doren, Victor Wegnez and Arno Van Dessel, and Red Panthers players Amber Ballenghien, Charlotte Englebert and Emma Puvrez are starring in ‘This is our ground’. In this epic campaign video, they take the viewer to the heart of the brand-new national hockey stadium in Wavre, where the Belgians aim to make a splash this summer at the biggest hockey event ever held on Belgian soil: the FIH Hockey World Cup.
‘This is our ground’ features a sense of pride, togetherness and fighting spirit: core values of Belgian hockey. “Playing a World Cup in front of our home crowd is unique,” says Arthur Van Doren, captain of the Red Lions and one of the stars of the video. “Whoever the opponent is, that alone gives us a huge boost of energy.”
Filming took place on a typical Belgian spring day: rainy, chilly, but the atmosphere in and around the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre was positive. That energy really radiates from the screen: focus, team spirit and a clear eagerness to achieve something special. It is precisely this dynamic that characterises how the Red Lions and Red Panthers are building up to the World Cup and what supporters can look forward to this August.
From 15 to 30 August, the world’s best hockey nations will compete in Wavre (and Amsterdam) for the world title. Around 10,000 spectators are expected each day across the 13 match days. This makes the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup the biggest hockey event ever held in Belgium, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The Red Lions will open the World Cup on Saturday 15 August against France. A day later, the Red Panthers will play their first match against New Zealand. Supporters who want to experience the World Cup this summer on ‘our ground’ can book tickets here.
When are the Red Lions’ & Red Panthers’ matches?
Belgium’s matches, in Wavre:
First group phase:
• Saturday 15 August 2026 – 9 p.m. (M): Belgium – France
• Sunday 16 August 2026 – 5:30 p.m. (W): Belgium – New Zealand
• Monday 17 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (M): Belgium – Germany
• Tuesday 18 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (W): Belgium – Spain
• Wednesday 19 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (M): Belgium – Malaysia
• Thursday 20 August 2026 – 8:30 p.m. (W): Belgium- Ireland