Originally it was a double-festival, called "Torhout-Werchter", with two festival areas at different sites in Belgium: one in Werchter and one in Torhout.

Since 2003 Werchter has been a 4-day festival, as it was sold by owner Herman Schueremans to American organizers Live Nation.

Because of this, Schueremans was heckled during an appearance on HUMO's Pop Poll, a Belgian alternative award show.

All graphics of Rock Werchter, including the posters, were designed by Tom Hautekiet, who died in April 2020.

Sometimes groups that do well in Pyramid Marquee are expected to have a hard time taking the step to the Main stage, especially when they are seen as an act needing intimate, smaller venues.

In 2012, a new third stage was added, called "The Barn" which is translated to "De Schuur" in Dutch, a reference to the nickname of organiser Herman Schueremans.

Since 2008, the organizers created a small version of Rock Werchter on the central square of Arras, in northern France.

It is held on the same dates as Rock Werchter, with a similar line-up - which is an advantage for organisers as they can offer artists two shows instead of one.

Arras was chosen as a location because of its large historic central square and because of the lack of big rock festivals in France.