3 hours Ago
A Screen Too Small for a Nation's Passion
Festival organizers set up a large outdoor screen near the entrance of the Megaland site to give football fans a place to watch the match. It didn't take long for that plan to fall apart. Hundreds of people rushed toward the screen, quickly overwhelming the space. The area was fenced off and eventually closed after reaching full capacity, leaving a significant number of fans locked out.
Those who did manage to get close weren't exactly impressed. The screen was placed between a Silent Disco area and a DJ stage — not ideal for watching a football match. Sightlines were poor, and the commentary was barely audible over the surrounding noise. Ron, 60, summed up the frustration bluntly: "You see how many people it attracts, but you can't see the screen at all." Brandon, 33, had a similar experience, saying he tried watching from the side but could hardly make anything out.
With the official viewing zone out of reach, fans got creative. Large groups are scattered across the grounds, sitting on asphalt and grass, watching the match on their phones. Some propped their phones against their shoes to create makeshift viewing stands. Because of uneven streaming delays, every Dutch goal — and there were five of them — sparked waves of celebration that rolled across different parts of the crowd at different times, creating a strange and surprisingly entertaining ripple effect.
Alex and Eddy, both 48, ended up on a patch of asphalt after giving up on the overcrowded screen area. "It was completely packed there; that was a shame," Eddy said. Still, neither seemed too bothered. Eddy had been at the festival since Thursday, and an hour of football felt like a natural part of the experience. "Priorities," Alex added simply. "You're here for Pinkpop, but this just happens to be part of it."
The Music Played On
While the football drama unfolded across the grounds, the stages kept going. British rock band IDLES delivered a high-energy set, with frontman Joe Talbot picking up on the football buzz filtering through the crowd. He acknowledged the win with a grin before adding, "Fuck football, Wales isn't playing anyway." It got a laugh.
Dutch artist Thijs Boontjes pulled a strong crowd in the evening heat, and British pop artist Alessi Rose performed to a devoted group of fans — mostly teenage girls who sang along to every word. Later, American singer Halsey took the stage and surprised many with a harder, rock-driven set. Songs like "Nightmare" and "Experiment On Me" hit differently in their heavier forms, and reworked versions of hits including "Without Me" and "Colors" kept the crowd engaged throughout.
The night wrapped up with The Cure headlining the main stage for a two-hour performance. It was their fourth time at Pinkpop and exactly 40 years since their first appearance. The crowd that filled the field in front of the stage made it clear the band still carries serious weight. Many in attendance expressed hope it wouldn't be the last time.
Sunday marks the final day of Pinkpop 2026, with Foo Fighters, Yungblud, DI-RECT, and Bente all still to come.
