Wacken Open Air 2026 is officially sold out as the festival's 35th anniversary lineup continues to grow with new additions that underscore its status as the undisputed global capital of heavy metal. Taking place July 29 through August 1 in the small village of Wacken in northern Germany, the three main headliners are DEF LEPPARD, JUDAS PRIEST, and POWERWOLF — a combination that spans the full spectrum of metal history from NWOBHM legends to modern power metal titans.
The massive bill also includes LAMB OF GOD, IN FLAMES, EMPEROR, ARCH ENEMY, SAXON, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, PARADISE LOST, SAVATAGE, THE GATHERING, NEVERMORE, and SEPULTURA, among dozens of other acts across multiple stages. The presence of SAVATAGE is particularly noteworthy given the band's sporadic activity in recent years, while NEVERMORE's inclusion signals continued momentum for the reunited Seattle progressive thrash outfit.
Over 85,000 tickets were snapped up within hours of the initial on-sale, cementing Wacken's position as the world's largest dedicated metal festival. The event, which began in 1990 as a small gathering of fewer than 1,000 metalheads in a farmer's field, has grown into a cultural institution that transforms the sleepy Schleswig-Holstein village into a temporary city of denim, leather, and long hair every summer.
JUDAS PRIEST's headlining slot carries special significance as the Birmingham legends continue their "Invincible Shield" touring cycle, with Rob Halford — the Metal God himself — delivering performances that defy his seventy-plus years. DEF LEPPARD bring their arena-polished production to the muddy fields of Wacken, while POWERWOLF's bombastic, wolf-themed power metal anthems are tailor-made for the festival's massive outdoor stages.
Festival organizers have promised additional lineup announcements in the coming weeks, with the running order to be revealed closer to the event. The 35th anniversary edition will also feature enhanced camping facilities, expanded food and beverage options, and special commemorative merchandise celebrating three and a half decades of Wacken history.