The opening night featured a flawless performance by Martin Garrix, who publicly thanked Metallica and the festival team for their efforts in saving the event.

Thanks to Metallica’s quick intervention, the revamped main stage was completed in just 36 hours and opened on July 18, 2025, in time for the festival's scheduled start.

A fire on July 16, 2025, destroyed the iconic 45-meter-high main stage just days before the festival's opening, threatening to cancel the event with 70,000 attendees expected.

The fire, which occurred a day before the festival's start, left the future of Tomorrowland uncertain, but no injuries were reported, and authorities confirmed the event could still go on.

Videos and photos of the new stage against the backdrop of the burnt remains went viral, showcasing the resilience and unity of the festival community.

Despite the destruction, the festival lineup, including artists like Steve Aoki, Swedish House Mafia, Deadmau5, and David Guetta, proceeded as planned.

Festival organizers reassured attendees that the campsite would open on schedule and emphasized their active efforts to find solutions for the weekend.

Debby Wilmsen, Tomorrowland’s spokesperson, expressed gratitude for Metallica’s support and described the quick turnaround as a 'miracle,' emphasizing the festival’s focus on unity and positive energy.

The fire, believed to be caused by malfunctioning fireworks cannons, is under investigation, but luckily, no injuries were reported.

Metallica, currently on their M72 World Tour and based in Austria, stepped in to support the festival by providing their stage rig, which was airlifted overnight to Belgium.

The band’s equipment, including modular rigs and sound systems, played a crucial role in enabling the construction of a makeshift stage in less than 24 hours.

Tomorrowland's organizers described the rapid assembly of the new stage as a 'miracle,' praising the quick response that allowed the festival to proceed as scheduled.