**Tomorrowland Faces Challenge After Fire Destroys Main Stage**

**Tomorrowland, the renowned electronic dance music festival in Belgium, is strategizing to construct a new main stage after a fire ravaged the original one. With 400,000 attendees expected, festival-goers remain hopeful for a fulfilling experience despite earlier disruptions.**

Tomorrowland, the celebrated electronic dance music festival held in Boom, Belgium, is facing an unexpected challenge as the original main stage was engulfed in flames, completely destroyed just days before the event. With the festival scheduled to kick-off on Friday, festival organizers announced they are working around the clock to erect a new stage in hopes of commencing festivities on time.

The festival, anticipated to draw around 400,000 attendees across two weekends, will start two hours later than initially planned, regardless of whether the new stage is ready. If the construction is not completed in time, the event will proceed with a reduced schedule, enabling access to the Dreamville campsite and part of the main festival grounds.

In a bittersweet twist, a myriad of artists, including industry giants like David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia, are set to grace the stages, ready to perform for enthusiastic fans. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the incident that occurred Wednesday evening, as fire experts work to ascertain the fire’s cause and inspect the safety of the venue.

“As of now, we hope to have a 'nice, new stage' constructed by Friday,” said Debby Wilmsen, the festival spokeswoman, during a press conference. In the absence of a new stage, artists from the main lineup will be redirected to perform at the Gathering Stage located at the campsite.

Despite the setback, festival attendees remain optimistic. Bradley Cooper-Barnard, who traveled from London with friends, noted the altered atmosphere. “It feels a little different this year,” he mentioned, emphasizing the generally subdued mood among campers, though they’re determined to enjoy the festival regardless.

In an early morning Instagram post, Tomorrowland conveyed the emotional turmoil of the situation, describing the Orbyz main stage as more than just a structure—it was a vital component of the festival’s identity. Meanwhile, discussions between festival officials and safety teams continue to address contingency strategies, even as several smaller stages remain operational.

The fire erupted around 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT), with eyewitnesses on social media capturing shocking footage of thick gray smoke enveloping the venue. Local residents were evacuated as firefighters battled the flames, aided by a police helicopter equipped with water to combat the inferno. One worker at the site recalled an “apocalyptic scene” as the blaze erupted just before the final preparations were to be completed.

Originally launched in 2005, Tomorrowland has grown into the world's largest electronic dance festival, attracting devoted fans from around the globe, who are now eager to see how the festival adapts to this unprecedented hurdle.