Belgium’s World Cup Run Sparks LED Screen Rental Frenzy

A wave of football fever has swept across Belgium following the Red Devils’ emphatic 4-1 victory over the United States in the Round of 16, triggering a massive rush on LED screen rentals as bars, cafes, and event organizers scramble to secure large screens for Friday’s quarter-final clash against Spain.

Rental company Maxled, based in Opwijk in Flemish Brabant, reports receiving 20 to 25 rental requests in a very short period on Tuesday morning, immediately after the final whistle. According to VRT NWS, the company is now nearly sold out, with only a few screens remaining.

A Shift in Rental Patterns

This year’s World Cup has brought a notable change in how Belgians approach screen rentals. Unlike previous tournaments where customers rented screens for the full duration of a World Cup or European Championship, many are now opting for per-match rentals.

Cedric Van Opstal of Maxled explained the trend: “Normally we rent out many screens for the full duration of a World Cup or European Championship. This year many customers are waiting because Belgium’s schedule is only fixed once they qualify for the next round. As a result, screens are being rented much more frequently per match. The many night matches also play a role.”

The shift reflects the uncertainty and excitement of knockout football, where each match could be the last. Van Opstal noted that some customers have already indicated they will simply re-rent if Belgium advances further: “We have customers who say: if the Belgians advance, we’ll just rent again for the next match.”

Ideal Timing for Friday’s Clash

The quarter-final against Spain kicks off at 21:00 CET on Friday, July 10, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Unlike the late-night matches earlier in the tournament, which kicked off at 2:00 AM local time and posed challenges for public viewing, the Friday evening slot is considered ideal for communal gatherings.

“Friday evening at 9 PM is of course an ideal time to watch a match,” Van Opstal said. “That certainly plays a role.”

The requests started coming in from the night after the match, and the company has been working at full capacity to install screens in time for Friday. “Today and tomorrow we are fully engaged with installations so that everything is ready for Friday,” Van Opstal added.

Diverse Customer Base

Maxled’s clients include cafes, companies, event organizers, and some municipalities, though demand from cities and towns is slightly lower than in previous tournaments. The gap is being filled by the hospitality sector and private businesses eager to offer shared viewing experiences.

“We notice that there is somewhat less demand from cities and municipalities,” Van Opstal said. “But that is more than compensated by events, hospitality businesses, and companies that want to organize a shared viewing experience.”

With screens nearly sold out, customers who received quotes on Tuesday confirmed almost immediately, with little hesitation. “As far as I know, there are only a few screens left,” Van Opstal noted. “Customers received a quote yesterday and confirmed often immediately. There was little hesitation. As a result, we are now almost completely sold out.”

What’s at Stake

Belgium has reached the quarter-finals for the third time in four World Cups (2014, 2018, 2026), and this tournament carries extra weight as it may represent the final chapter for the country’s celebrated “Golden Generation” — including Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku. Belgium finished third in 2018, their best-ever result, and was eliminated in the group stage in 2022.

The quarter-final against Spain revives a classic World Cup rivalry. Belgium previously defeated Spain on penalties in the 1986 quarter-finals but lost to them in the 1990 group stage. With a favorable Friday evening kick-off time and the nation rallying behind its team, the demand for screens is expected to remain high if the Red Devils advance further.

For now, bars and cafes without secured screens risk losing customers to competitors who have already reserved their displays. As Friday approaches, the scramble for the last available screens continues — a testament to the unifying power of football in Belgium.