Race to the Muddy Finish Line at Wacken's Mud Festival
Wacken Open Air 2025: Ticket Prices, Dates, and Highlights Announced
The countdown to Wacken Open Air 2025 is on, and festival organisers have announced some exciting updates for next year's event.
Ticket prices for the heavy metal extravaganza will see a slight increase, with the full 4-day festival pass including camping costing approximately €333. For those who secure one of the first 10,000 tickets on-site, the 16 euro price increase for food will be credited.
The festival, which takes place in Schleswig-Holstein from Wednesday to Sunday, will be officially sold out with 85,000 fans in attendance. Guns N' Roses are confirmed as the headliners, offering a three-hour concert, making it the longest in the festival's history.
Other bands set to perform include Papa Roach, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Apocalyptica, BAP, Michael Schenker, Doro Pesch with Dirkschneider, and more. However, no information about the 2026 lineup has been released yet.
Heavy rain at the start of the 2024 festival turned large parts of the area into mud and slime, but organisers were well-prepared. They brought in 3,500 cubic meters of wood chips to stabilise the surfaces, and the infield, the area in front of the two main stages, turned into mud within hours after opening. Despite the challenging conditions, the arrival was relaxed, and the organisers have stated they can handle mud.
For the departure of the fans, 30 tractors were ready, but self-help forces of the fans are relied on to prevent further damage to the fields. Approximately 2,800 people were cared for by the rescue service, and 150 fans were taken to a hospital.
The organisers commemorated the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne with a drone show and performances of his songs "Mama, I'm Coming Home" and "Paranoid." The performance received mixed reactions, with organiser Holger Hübner stating they were happy and Jensen expressing that it depends on the viewer's perspective.
Festival-goers can look forward to the lineup announcement for the 2026 festival in the evening (8:30 PM). For the latest lineup announcements, it is best to check Wacken Open Air’s official site or social media closer to the festival date.
[1] Source: Wacken Open Air official website [2] Source: Wacken Open Air travel packages
More entertainment options could include wider genre selections, such as music from various genres or live shows from popular sports personalities. Additionally, daily weather updates could be beneficial for festival-goers planning their outfits and travel arrangements.
