With the announcement of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, it was revealed that the Dark Portal would be reopened and be the primary means of travelling to Outland. In preparation for the expansion, Blizzard released Patch 2.0.1, "Before the Storm", which prepared the original areas of the world for the impending expansion. In addition to the changes to the map, the addition of new NPCs and the new means of transportation to the new races' capitals, the demons and demon-slaves were removed from around the Dark Portal and the crater it rests in, and replaced with what appears to be a base camp of both the Horde and the Alliance, either helping those going in, or keeping something from coming out. The glow around the gateway is green now, indicating that the Portal is open. Going through the Portal, like accessing the new racial areas, requires the expansion pack to be installed. Your character also needs to be level 58 or higher to use it.

See the Stair of Destiny for information about the other side of the portal.

The final patch before the release of The Burning Crusade (2.0.3) included a world event surrounding the reopening of the Dark Portal. Invading Felguards and Invading Voidwalkers began to pour through the dark portal, and the camps in wow gold front of the portal were manned by Argent Dawn defenders. The leader of these forces offered the quest Into the Breach. This quest simply involved killing six of the Invading Felguards (Due to number of people fighting for these kills.) Completing the quest earned you the Tabard of the Protector: A special version of the Tabard of the Argent Dawn. When used, the Tabard produced a visual effect similar to Holy Nova, and the wearer would flex.

Lord Kazzak also vanished from his former place in the Blasted Lands to take up his new residence in Outland. His vacated office was taken up by Highlord Kruul. Not content to sit in a hole in the Tainted Scar, Highlord Kruul would periodically lay siege to major cities and other areas, summoning demon minions and killing everybody in sight until he's driven off.