Race to the Muddy Finish Line at Wacken's Mud Festival
Wacken Heavy Metal Festival 2025: Guns N' Roses Headline Historic Three-Hour Concert
The Wacken Heavy Metal Festival, currently underway in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, has been marked by adverse weather conditions but remains a spectacle nonetheless. This year's event, which started on Wednesday and is officially sold out with 85,000 fans, has seen a three-hour concert by Guns N' Roses, the longest in the festival's history.
The concert, which sparked different reactions, was praised by festival organizer Holger Hübner, while Thomas Jensen, the festival founder, emphasized that opinions on the performance depend on the eye of the beholder. The stage was adorned with a projection of "Ozzy we love you" and featured the playing of "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid."
The festival has not been without its challenges. Large parts of the area have turned into a muddy mess due to heavy rain at the start of the festival. However, 1,000 helpers, including 700 volunteers, have been on duty, and self-help efforts are expected for the departure of the fans, with 30 tractors ready to assist.
Despite the difficulties, Thomas Jensen praised the metal fans for creating a great atmosphere in the mud and slush. The number of recorded offenses by the police has decreased compared to 2024, from 86 to 68.
Looking ahead, the organizers have announced that the lineup for 2026 will be unveiled in the evening of August 3, 2025. The festival is scheduled for July 2 to August 1, 2026, and will mark its 35th anniversary edition.
The first wave of band announcements includes major acts such as Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Nevermore, Lamb of God, The Gathering, Europe, Airbourne, and several others. Tickets for next year's festival will increase from 333 to 349 euros, but those who secure one of the first 10,000 tickets on-site will have the 16 euro price increase for catering refunded.
As the festival continues into the night and into Sunday, fans can look forward to a variety of performances from bands like Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, and Michael Schenker, as well as metal queen Doro Pesch and Dirkschneider. The organizers also commemorated the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne with a drone show on the night into Saturday.
[1] Wacken Open Air Official Website [2] Wacken Open Air 2026 Lineup Announcement [3] Wacken Open Air 2025 Ticket Information [4] Wacken Open Air 2026 Ticket Information [5] Wacken Open Air 2025 News and Updates
[1] Fans of entertainment can anticipate a diverse range of music and sports performances during the Wacken Heavy Metal Festival 2026, as organizers have announced that the lineup will feature acts such as Papa Roach, Machine Head, and Doro Pesch.
[2] As the festival celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026, enthusiasts can also look forward to experiencing weather conditions unique to the Schleswig-Holstein, Germany area, just as this year's festival-goers have faced heavy rain and muddy terrain.
