Stades de Flandres

The Stades de Flandres stands as a functional hub for Dunkerque rather than a monument to football.

Inside, it functions primarily as an arena for handball rather than a traditional football ground. The capacity of 2,500 seats provides a compact environment for indoor sports. It has served as a temporary home for basketball after the original Sportica stadium burned down, demonstrating its flexibility.

The building's history dates back to 1968, named after Louis Dewerdt who served as Deputy Mayor for Sports. A renovation in 2000-2001 updated the facility and changed its name to the current format. It hosts matches for the local handball club, which has competed in the French First League since 1991.

The location at Avenue de Rosendaël places it within the city's infrastructure, separate from the main football stadium where USL Dunkerque plays. The arena operates under the ownership of the City of Dunkerque, making it a public facility for various sporting activities.