About to the VUB swimming pool
The swimming pool at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campus offers modern facilities to accommodate a wide audience, including individual swimmers, schools, and clubs.
Located at the crossroads of Ixelles, Etterbeek, and Auderghem, the facility includes two pools: a 25-meter pool and a smaller 13-meter pool with a movable floor, enabling a variety of activities such as aqua aerobics and swimming lessons.
Open to everyone, regardless of affiliation with the VUB community, this pool demonstrates the university’s commitment to providing quality services to the broader Brussels population.
Built in :
1988
Management type :
SPORT VUB
Facilities and equipment – VUB swimming pool
VUB swimming pool
Infrastructures of the VUB swimming pool :
Address and contact information – VUB swimming pool
Adress : Bd de la Plaine 2, 1050 Ixelles
Phone : 02 629 23 11
Email : sport@vub.be
Public opening hours
| Monday | 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00 – 14:00 17:00 – 21:00 |
| Friday | 12:00 – 14:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 16:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 14:00 |
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 12:00 – 16:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00 – 14:00 |
Additional Information on Public Hours
Weekdays (Monday to Friday):
The main pool is open for lane swimming, with a requirement that all swimmers can comfortably swim at least 200 meters.
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Thursday)
Saturday:
The main pool is available for lane swimming, while the small pool is reserved for family swimming (with a depth of approximately 65 cm).
- 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Sunday:
The main pool is open for lane swimming, and the small pool is available for family swimming.
- 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Closures: the swimming pool is closed to the public on public holidays, on 20 November, and between Christmas and New Year.
Access for minors: swimmers under 18 must always be accompanied by an adult swimmer. For children under 12, VUB recommends the weekend family swimming sessions in the small pool or joining a swimming school/club.
- Before each visit, check the time slots in the VUB Sport app. Scanning a QR code has no longer been required since 1 June 2026; whether booking is needed is still to be confirmed.
- The pool is not open to the public on public holidays, on 20 November (anniversary of the foundation of VUB and ULB) and from Christmas Day to New Year’s Day.
- Main pool: you must be able to swim 200 metres comfortably.
- Small pool: family swimming on Saturdays and Sundays only; from Monday to Friday, “Closed” means there is no family swimming. VUB advises children under 12 to come during these hours.
Opening hours checked on 02/10/2026
- Closed on the following public holidays
- 2026: 1 November, 11 November and 25 December.
- 2027: 1 January, 29 March, 1 May, 6 May, 17 May, 21 July and 15 August.
- Friday 20 November 2026: Closed (Pool closing day) · Anniversary of the foundation of VUB and ULB.
- Friday 25 December 2026 to Friday 1 January 2027: Closed (Pool closing day) · From Christmas Day to New Year’s Day inclusive.
Last entry and exit from the water
The VUB swimming pool asks swimmers to buy their ticket at least 15 minutes before closing time and to leave the pool at closing time.
Entry fees – VUB swimming pool
| Everyone | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entry (1 session) | All visitors | €5.70 |
Buy your entry at the reception; no Sports Card needed. Prices apply from 1 September 2026.
| Everyone | ||
|---|---|---|
| 10 sessions | VUB students and staff | €45.90 |
| 10 sessions | VUB alumni and Basic-Fit members | €48.10 |
| 10 sessions | Other visitors | €48.40 |
| 20 sessions | VUB students and staff | €86.20 |
| 20 sessions | VUB alumni and Basic-Fit members | €90.90 |
| 20 sessions | Other visitors | €93.70 |
| 50 sessions | VUB students and staff | €200.10 |
| 50 sessions | VUB alumni and Basic-Fit members | €222.00 |
| 50 sessions | Other visitors | €231.00 |
Sessions are loaded onto the Sports Card and expire with it: topping up does not extend the card’s validity.
Issuing the card costs €11.10. The Sports Card is valid for five academic years, including the year it was bought. It is not a subscription: it is used to load sessions.
Activities offered by the VUB swimming pool
The VUB swimming pool offers aquatic activities for adults and children.
Rental of pool and lanes outside public hours
The VUB swimming pool offers a wide range of pool rental options outside public opening hours:
The pool rental system at VUB is well-structured and adapts to the needs of schools, clubs, and groups wishing to practice aquatic activities. Here’s how it works in detail:
Rental of the pool for schools, clubs, and organisations
Groups can rent either the large 25-meter pool or the smaller 12-meter pool, each available at specific times. The rental system is flexible, allowing hourly reservations depending on availability and user needs.
Large pool (25 meters)
- Dimensions: 25 meters long with 5 lanes, gradual depth from 1 meter to 3 meters.
- Rental options: By lane or for the entire pool.
- Equipment: Each lane is equipped with a starting block.
Small pool (12 meters)
- Dimensions: 12 x 7 meters with an adjustable floor depth from 15 cm to 2 meters.
- Features: Higher water temperature, ideal for sensitive groups (babies, seniors, persons with disabilities).
Rental hours
School Hours
Monday to Friday:
- 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
During these hours, the large pool can be rented by lane or as a whole, with a lifeguard provided by VUB Sport.
Club Hours
Monday to Thursday:
- 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Friday:
- 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
During these hours, clubs and groups must rent the entire pool (large or small). A lifeguard must be provided by the renter to ensure safety.
Weekends
Saturday:
- 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunday:
- 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Outside of public hours, the entire pool can also be rented.
Rental rates
Rates vary according to the pool and the renter’s status:
During school hours – VUB student/staff rate (lifeguard included)
- Large Pool, per lane: €18.20/hour
- Large Pool, entire: €80.70/hour
- Small Pool: €62.50/hour
External rate / external organisations
- Large Pool, per lane: €32.80/hour
- Large Pool, entire: €144.80/hour
- Small Pool: €113.20/hour
Weekends (outside public hours)
Rental options depend on available time slots and the renter’s status. The external rates above serve as a reference for external organisations.
Rental conditions
- Rental is possible with or without a VUB Sports Card, depending on the conditions.
- For rentals outside school hours, clubs or groups must provide their own qualified lifeguard.
- Individual users may reserve up to 3 time slots maximum.
Reservations and additional information
Schools, clubs, and organisations can submit a rental request via the VUB website for regular or one-time use of the pool. It is important to check availability before submitting a rental request.
For more details, interested groups can contact the VUB Sports Service or review the rates and conditions on the official website.
Water quality
The water in the VUB swimming pool is treated with chlorine to guarantee optimum disinfection and ensure the safety of swimmers.
Rules of VUB swimming pool
- Classic swimsuit
- Swim brief
- One-piece swimsuit
- Two-piece swimsuit
- Swim boxer
- Bermuda shorts
- Burkini
- Swim hijab
Swim hijab and burkini: according to the 2022 pool regulations, which allow no headwear other than a swim cap and, as swimwear, close-fitting trunks for men and a bikini or swimsuit for women (the burkini is not named). VUB has not confirmed that these regulations still apply.
- Required: being able to swim 200 metres (main pool).
- 2022 pool regulations: to be confirmed. (Awaiting confirmation) These regulations provide for a swim cap for hair longer than the ears, a shower and footbath, admission until 30 minutes before closing and leaving the pool at least 10 minutes before. VUB has not confirmed that they still apply.
- Child supervision: required; children under 18, accompanied by someone aged 18 or over. The accompanying adult must be a swimmer too. For children under 12, VUB advises the weekend family swimming in the small pool.
Rules checked on 02/10/2026
Accessibility – VUB swimming pool
The pool is located on the VUB campus, easily reachable by public transportation:
- Tram Lines: 7 and 25, stop “Arsenal”
- Metro Lines: 5, stops “Hankar” or “Pétillon”
Other public swimming pools in the vicinity of the VUB swimming pool:
- Espadon swimming pool (Etterbeek)
- Ixelles swimming pool
