Wacken Open Air has unveiled a massive new wave of 55 bands for its 2026 edition (July 29 - August 1), celebrating the festival's landmark 35th anniversary in the small village of Wacken, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. ARCH ENEMY, who will perform at the festival for the tenth time with their razor-sharp riffs though who will be at the microphone remains a closely guarded secret, headline the new additions alongside BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, the crushing brainchild of Zakk Wylde whose towering stage presence and blues-infused metal have made him a festival favorite worldwide.
Further heavyweight additions include HAMATOM, PARADISE LOST — the Yorkshire doom and gothic metal legends entering their fourth decade of activity, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN — the neo-classical shred pioneer, and RUNNING WILD in what has been announced as their farewell show at the festival. SEPULTURA will also play their final German concert at Wacken, making the 2026 edition a historic send-off for two iconic acts. IN FLAMES and SAVATAGE round out the heavyweight additions, with the latter's return being particularly notable given the rarity of their live appearances.
These acts join previously confirmed headliners DEF LEPPARD, POWERWOLF, and JUDAS PRIEST — the latter continuing their "Invincible Shield" world domination. All weekend passes have already sold out, underscoring the event's enduring popularity and its status as the world's most famous metal festival. The 35th anniversary edition promises to be a landmark celebration of heavy metal culture, with the expanded four-day format allowing for an unprecedented number of performances across the festival's multiple stages.