Race to the Muddy Wacken Festival's Conclusion
Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival Concludes Successfully Amidst Challenging Weather Conditions
The 31st edition of the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival came to a close on Sunday night, with 85,000 fans in attendance. Despite the continuous rain at the start of the festival that turned large parts of the area into mud and slush, the event was officially sold out and ran smoothly, according to event director Daniel Schlatter.
The organizers had prepared well for the adverse weather conditions. They brought in 3,500 cubic meters of wood chips to stabilize the surfaces, and 30 tractors were ready for the already started departure of the fans. Festival founder and organizer Thomas Jensen praised the metal fans for creating a great atmosphere in the mud and slush.
The rescue service director Volker Böhm stated that no one was stranded when the rain came on Wednesday. He also reported that the rescue service had 10 to 15 percent fewer deployments than in 2024. The number of recorded offenses decreased compared to 2024, from 86 to 68. The police considered the deployment at the Wacken Open Air festival a success.
The festival took place in Schleswig-Holstein's Wacken, with around 1,000 helpers on duty, including 700 volunteers. The organizers relied on the self-help forces of the fans to avoid further ruining the meadows.
Guns N' Roses offered the longest concert in the history of the festival, lasting three hours. The organizers paid tribute to the late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne with a drone show on the night to Saturday.
Looking ahead, the organizers have announced the first 35 confirmed bands for the 35th anniversary of the festival in 2026. The lineup includes major acts such as Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Nevermore, Emperor, Sepultura (performing their last German festival show), Running Wild, Lamb of God, The Gathering (exclusive German appearance), Triptykon (special best-of set with world premieres), and Blood Fire Death (a Bathory tribute, Germany exclusive). Ticket presale begins on August 3, 2025, with no single-day tickets or VIP upgrades available.
Despite the challenges faced this year, the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival once again proved to be a major success, bringing together metal fans from all over the world for a weekend of music and camaraderie.
[1] Wacken Open Air Official Website [2] Wacken Open Air Lineup Announcement [3] Wacken Open Air Ticket Information [4] Wacken Open Air Press Release
- Amidst the success of the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival, attendees also found entertainment in various forms of music and sports, with sports-betting enthusiasts potentially placing wagers on the upcoming games.
- As the 35th anniversary of the Wacken Open Air Heavy Metal Festival approaches, fans can look forward to a diverse lineup featuring major acts in music, including Def Leppard, In Flames, and more, offering an eclectic mix of entertainment for all attendees.
