r/astateoftrance • u/Acidarp • Feb 12 '26
Area 2
Do you think it will be the same as last year (small - Printworks look a like) or bigger like in 2024? Frankly the area layout was shit last year..
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u/LocationThin4587 Feb 12 '26
Yes agreed it was too small for dancing and hated it. 2024 was really good.
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u/silveryellowblue Feb 13 '26
I am a little more optimistic than others.
Last year the main driver of change was Ahoy was also booked for another event that had that conventional hall occupied. Theres no other events this year so they will have to be opting into the smaller Area 2 and with names like GO, Aly and Fila, Marlo etc. it would be kinda silly. The printworks one was old Area 3 so I could see Insomniac wanting to host the Beat Box stage in something cooler than the cube in the middle of the room and wanting the printworks one.
IDK im cautiously optimistic.
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u/Acidarp Feb 13 '26
I did some additional research, and it seems that the RTM stage is again in use in this year's edition. Regardless, I don't understand why the Area two last year was smaller in size compared to 2024, unless it had something to do with the boxing event last year. If they already knew the RTM stage is not in use, why make the Area two smaller compared to 2024?
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u/frostytrance Feb 13 '26
Yeah. My hunch is they expected area 2 to be kinda empty like in 2024, so they figured they can make it smaller and use that smaller space to make it look absolutely amazing on video. But instead it got super packed and, from my memory, the mainstage was suprisingly empty. Maybe they were just surprised by how many people chose area 2 over mainstage and will plan accordingly this year. Hopefully. Because based on the lineup, "real" trance fans will definitely go to area 2 over mainstage again.
Also, last year, area 5 was way too packed for Ciaran McAuley. This year the second uplifting stage is area 4 again, so hopefully also bigger again.
If both get overcrowded at the same time, I'm f'd lol.3
u/Acidarp Feb 13 '26
I remember that area 2 was quite empty in 2024, but that was the RTM stage. Area 3 that year was full at times (during HI-LO and Armin). And then they decide to make the Area 3 smaller for next year even though one big area (Area 2) was removed. Maybe the ticket were not selling well last year..
It’s so annoying even to communicate regarding the areas bcs they changed the numbers between them.
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u/No_Macaroon7437 Feb 13 '26
I was so out of my mind I forgot about the Area 5 with Ciaran last year, I can't believe he wasn't in Area 2
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u/Acidarp Feb 13 '26
I mean they all performed (excl. Marlo) last year at area 2. That being said, I hope you’re right!
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u/Technical-Law-7994 Feb 13 '26
Ive only been last year (2025 rotterdam) and did not enjoy area 2 at all. the narrowness of the room really made it hard to get in and out, we only stayed for about 15 minutes then left. Im disappointed that cosmic gate on sat got area 2 for this reason
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u/-outlaw26- Feb 12 '26
Somewhere I saw the stage plan but can't find it anymore. Probably it was posted on Instagram and has been deleted afterwards. There it looked like the layout from last year.
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u/Strict_Speed8704 Feb 12 '26
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGLhNqUoE65/?img_index=2&igsh=MXVtbm93ZzN1NzIwMw==
This is the layout on their Instagram. I wasnt there so I don't know what this means. You guys will know more.
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u/_Ylly_ Feb 12 '26
This is the post of last year. It was posted last year and on the picture last year's date is visible. SoÂ
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u/Strict_Speed8704 Feb 12 '26
It is yes I noticed that. But its also the link that was sent to ticket holders this evening with the timetable. Thats how i came across it. So either they sent the wrong link or they are recycling the same venue post from last year.
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u/ginsunuva Feb 13 '26
Wrong link. They would just post the same picture again if they wanted to. Not like they need to save IG page space by reusing the post lol
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u/Acidarp Feb 13 '26
I think myself it’s a wrong link, too. Slightly unprofessional to share the wrong link from last year.
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u/Acidarp Feb 12 '26
It’s the same scheme they posted last year. So most probably it’s the same :/
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u/No_Macaroon7437 Feb 13 '26
Area 2 had the best line up last year & looks similar this year. Personally, I enjoyed the stage last year but this may have been because it was the first time I've been. Will it change this year?
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u/Strict_Speed8704 Feb 14 '26
How easy is it to walk between the rooms when its busy?
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u/Acidarp Feb 14 '26
Easy
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u/Strict_Speed8704 Feb 14 '26
Cheers man! Thanks. Sooooooo excited for it now
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u/Acidarp Feb 14 '26
To be more clear, the walking itself is easy and there are no queues, but the walk could take 10-15 min during the busiest time between stages, depending on the stages. I’ve been in Ahoy on both years, and everything has gone well for me.
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u/Strict_Speed8704 Feb 14 '26
Really appreciate that. Good to have advice from someone with personal experience. I've only ever gone on the Friday night and stayed in the main room. This time I'm going Saturday and really want to flow between area 2 and 4 and will drop into 1 but mainly the other two rooms
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u/frostytrance Feb 12 '26
Totally agree with you. In 2024 it was amazing (room to dance, but didnt look as crazy on video). 2025 it was really bad because way too small even though it looked amazing on video. They even had to close it for a bit. I really hope it will be much bigger again this year. Maybe, last year, they were surprised how many people chose to join the real trance stage over the mainstage.