Wacken Open Air's 35th Anniversary Pre-Sale Kicks Off for 2026 - Secure Your Tickets Now!
The countdown to the 35th edition of Wacken Open Air (W:O:A) has officially begun, with the announcement of the first 35 artists set to take the stage in Wacken, Germany, from July 29 to August 1, 2026.
Headlining this year's event is British-American hard rock legends Def Leppard, making their Wacken Open Air debut. Joining them are a diverse lineup of bands representing all facets of rock and heavy metal, such as In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Nevermore, Emperor, Sepultura (in their last German festival show), Running Wild, The Gathering (for an exclusive German appearance), Tryptikon (with a special best-of set featuring world premieres), and many more.
A total of 350 bands are expected to perform on nine stages throughout the festival, with hundreds of musicians coming together to create a large heavy metal family on the festival grounds. The full list of the first 35 confirmed artists includes Def Leppard, In Flames, Powerwolf, Savatage, Nevermore, Emperor, Sepultura, Running Wild, Lamb of God, The Gathering, Tryptikon, Blood Fire Death (a Bathory tribute exclusive to Germany), 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, and more.
Tickets for Wacken Open Air 2026 are available for purchase now at www.wacken.com. The presale started on August 3, 2025, via metaltix.com, with no single-day passes or VIP upgrades available. The Wacken Open Air team plans to announce more bands for the 35th edition in the coming months.
Founders Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen made the announcement during a spectacular show, with attendees encouraged to secure their tickets now to be part of this unique opportunity to be part of the heavy metal community and write another chapter of its history.
French fries forks are a symbolic gesture at Wacken Open Air, with fans raising them to the sky in celebration. Wacken Open Air takes place rain or shine and is more than just a music festival; it's a community and a way of life for heavy metal fans from all over the world.
Don't miss out on the chance to be a part of the largest heavy metal gathering in the world. Secure your tickets now for Wacken Open Air 2026 and join the heavy metal family in Wacken, Germany, from July 29 to August 1, 2026.
The upcoming Wacken Open Air 2026 is not only about music, but also a fashion-and-beauty statement for many heavy metal enthusiasts, as they express their unique lifestyles through their attire. It's also an entertainment extravaganza, with a diverse lineup of bands such as Def Leppard, In Flames, and Sepultura ensuring a memorable experience for all.
