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Wacken Open Air is turning 35 next year. The organizers are set to kick things off with a first wave of bands. The initial lineup of 35 artists for Wacken Open Air 2026 has been officially announced. The event will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026, in the village of Wacken, Germany. Notably, its population is just over 2,000.
Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) began in 1990 as a two-day fest with a few local bands. It is arguably now one of the largest heavy metal festivals in the world. The grounds cover nearly 600 acres with multiple stages and campsites, and a beer pipeline. W:O:A is famous for its full-access, all-in entry for everyone. It does not offer any VIP passes or day tickets.
This year's 2025 edition of Wacken Open Air was headlined by Guns N' Roses. It featured a drone-lit tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. As the festival wrapped, organizers surprised fans with a video and drone show that revealed the first 35 bands confirmed for the 2026 anniversary celebration.
Wacken Open Air took to its official Instagram page to announce the initial lineup, captioning:
"🔥 W:O:A 2026 – The 35 years anniversary. 🔥 And here they come, the first 35 bands to shake the Holy Ground. Get your ticket on Sunday 8 PM at wacken.com. Party On!🤘"
The authorities also issued a press release, which read:
"The riffs of the last bands are blasting across the Holy Ground and W:O:A 2025 is slowly but surely coming to an end. This year W:O:A had a bit more "Rain" than "Shine" to offer but of course, that could not dampen the spirits of any seasoned Metalhead. Without you, the best fans in the world, it wouldn't be possible! You make W:O:A what it is - the best metal festival in the world! THANK YOU!"
They also added:
"And what's next? Of course! The first batch of bands for the big Anniversary. Next year will be 35 years and fitting to that we have 35 fantastic bands with whom we will kick off the new season with you! This is going to be epic! PARTY ON! Spearheading this first wave of bands are four impressive bands who have rocked the main stages of the Holy Ground in the past."
The first 35 bands for Wacken Open Air 2026
The complete list of the first 35 acts confirmed so far for Wacken Open Air 2026 is as follows:
- Def Leppard
- In Flames
- Powerwolf
- Savatage
- Nevermore
- Emperor
- Sepultura (last German festival show)
- Running Wild
- Lamb of God
- The Gathering (exclusive German appearance)
- Tryptikon (special best-of set with world premieres)
- Blood Fire Death (Bathory tribute – Germany exclusive)
- Allt
- Airbourne
- Any Given Day
- Blood Command
- Broken By The Scream
- Einherjer
- Europe
- Faun
- Future Palace
- Gutalax
- Grand Magus
- Insanity Alert
- H-Blockx
- Kupfergold
- Luna Kills
- Mantar
- Orbit Culture
- Paleface Swiss
- Pig Destroyer
- Ten56.
- The Hardkiss
- Thundermother
- Thrown
Presale for 2026 Wacken Open Air tickets starts on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at 8:00 PM local time via Metaltix.com. No single-day passes or VIP upgrades will be available. This has been Wacken's policy for over two decades.
Also Read: Béton Armé 2025 North American tour: Ticket info, dates, venues, and more explored
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