Festival Highlights at Wacken Open Air 2026: Def Leppard Leads the Lineup - Who Else is Playing?
Wacken Open Air, one of Europe's largest heavy metal festivals, has revealed the first 35 bands set to perform at its 35th anniversary edition in 2026. The event, named WOA 2026 Wacken Open Air, is scheduled for July 29 to August 1, 2026, in Wacken, Germany.
Def Leppard leads the impressive lineup, with In Flames, Lamb of God, Powerwolf, Savatage, The Gathering, and Nevermore also confirmed to take the stage. Other bands joining the festival include Airbourne, Any Given Day, Blood Command, Blood Fire Death – A Tribute to Bathory, Broken by the Scream, Einherjer, Emperor, Europe, Faun, Future Palace, Gutalax, Grand Magus, Insanity Alert, H-Blockx, Kupfergold, Luna Kills, Mantar, Orbit Culture, Paleface Swiss, Pig Destroyer, Running Wild (farewell show), Sepultura, Ten56, The Hardkiss, Thundermother, Thrown, Tryptikon, and more.
The confirmed bands mark the first wave of acts for WOA 2026, with more expected to be announced as the event approaches. The festival attracted 85,000 fans in 2025, and with this lineup, it promises to be another unforgettable heavy metal experience.
In addition to the live performances, a live blog for WOA 2026 is expected to provide real-time updates, similar to the one that was available for WOA 2025. Kristin Finke, Sarah Sauerland, Christian Einfeldt, Joshua Hirschfeld, and Goetz Bonsen were associated with the live blog for WOA 2025.
While Guns N' Roses performed at WOA 2025, the article does not provide information about any bands for WOA 2026 beyond the confirmation of Def Leppard as the headliner. Wacken Open Air 2026 is a music festival, as it features a headliner band, and it is not specified whether it is the same event as WOA 2025 or WOA 2026. However, the live blog for WOA 2025 is applicable whether one is on the festival grounds or watching from home.
During WOA 2026, attendees can anticipate various entertainment options beyond the live performances, as a live blog offering real-time updates is planned, similar to the one used during WOA 2025. With this diverse lineup of bands including Def Leppard, In Flames, Lamb of God, and many others, the festival promises to offer an immersive and unforgettable music experience.
