Six months after a catastrophic fire ravaged the main stage at the renowned Tomorrowland festival, construction for upcoming editions—in both Boom, Belgium, and Alpe d’Huez, France—is in full swing. However, a surprising lack of fundamental changes to stage construction methods has raised eyebrows, particularly as the official investigation into the July 2025 blaze remains ongoing.
No Pause Button: Tomorrowland Pushes Ahead Post-Inferno
The fire, which engulfed the main stage built primarily from wood and polystyrene—materials known for their combustibility—resulted in preliminary damage estimates soaring to €63 million. Despite the severity of the incident, which thankfully occurred during the build-up phase, Tomorrowland has confirmed that the stages for 2026 will be constructed using largely the same materials and methods as before.
Debby Wilmsen, spokesperson for Tomorrowland, emphasised the relentless pace of festival production. “We don’t have a pause button that we can press while waiting for news,” Wilmsen stated. “The design, construction, and transportation of the various Tomorrowland stages is a massive logistical undertaking involving dozens of companies. That process restarts immediately after the last festival day for the next editions.”
Investigation Lingers, Changes Await
The judicial investigation into the precise cause of the fire is still active. The public prosecutor’s office has maintained strict confidentiality, citing the secrecy of the investigation. While preliminary reports suggested the fire originated near a brazier, formal conclusions identifying responsibility or a definitive cause are yet to be released. This lack of official findings leaves the festival organisers in a difficult position regarding immediate structural adjustments.
“The investigation is still ongoing; people are still being interviewed. At this moment, we are waiting for information, insurance claims, and expert reports,” Wilmsen added. This waiting game means that, for now, the blueprints for the next main stages are closely mirroring those that burned down.
Local Authorities Express Critical Concerns
The decision to proceed without significant material alterations has drawn criticism from local municipal leaders. The mayors of Boom and Rumst have voiced concerns, stating they wish to learn from the failures that led to the massive fire.
Because clear Flemish safety standards specifically tailored for large festival stages are lacking, the municipalities are independently working on their own risk analyses. They feel that without clear guidelines or official findings, they cannot adequately ensure future public safety.
“We want to be able to learn from the things that went wrong,” noted one local official, reflecting a sentiment shared by many residents concerned about the scale and materials used in constructing these temporary, yet enormous, structures.
Financial Fallout and Partner Loyalty
While the operational side of Tomorrowland has managed to keep moving forward, the financial repercussions are significant. The estimated €63 million in damages involves over 30 involved parties, including suppliers and contractors.
Tomorrowland remains committed to its existing supply chain. “We remain loyal to all our partners. We have always done that, even during the COVID-19 crisis,” Wilmsen confirmed. This loyalty is central to the festival’s ecosystem, even though there is a palpable risk that one of these long-term partners could ultimately be assigned liability for the fire.
The organisation balances these external pressures with their commitment to delivering the high-production value audiences expect. They are preparing for the upcoming events in Boom (scheduled for July 17–19 and 24–26) and the French edition in Alpe d’Huez (March 21–28).
Safety Remains 'The Priority' Amidst Material Choices
Tomorrowland insists that safety remains paramount, despite the continuation of using flammable materials based on previous designs. They acknowledge the public scrutiny this approach will invite. “We expect we are going to get a lot of questions about this, yes, but we are prepared for that,” Wilmsen concluded.
For now, the world’s biggest dance festival continues its relentless march toward the next magical weekend, navigating legal uncertainty and local apprehension by focusing on logistics and legacy partnerships, rather than immediate material redesigns. The industry watches closely, hoping that the official investigation yields conclusive results that might inform future safety protocols across the global festival circuit, long before the next main stage is set alight—whether intentionally or accidentally.
