The Stade de Heysel was built in 1929 following a design of Brussels architect Joseph van Neck (1880-1959). Situated adjacent to the Parc des Expositions, it served as an events venue for the World's Fair of 1935 and the World's Fair of 1958.
On 29 May 1985, 38 spectators, mostly Italian, were crushed to death when a wall collapsed during riots by rival English and Italian football fans in the final of the European Champions Cup between Liverpool FC and Juventus Turin. The stadium was largely demolished and only its infrastructure remained as the foundation for the Stade Roi Baudouin that was subsequently built. The new stadium seats 70,000.
Historical Dictionary of Brussels. Paul F. State.