Wacken, May 20, 2026 – Who will set the Holy Ground ablaze at the 35th edition of Wacken Open Air – and at what time? A large part of the running order has now been revealed! Four days packed with headliners, promising newcomers, and fan favorites await, accompanied by a diverse supporting program that allows metalheads from all over the world to fully experience the many facets of the scene and beyond.  “Music in general – and for us especially our favorite genre, metal – is something deeply emotional. It connects people around the world who share the same passion, creates unforgettable moments for everyone in front of, on and behind the stages, and builds close friendships across borders. The fact that we are now able to contribute to this for the 35th time with Wacken Open Air fills us with humility and gratitude,” say founders and promoters Thomas Jensen and Holger Hübner. For this major anniversary, W:O:A is presenting a line-up packed with premieres, exclusive festival sets, and farewell performances. One of this year’s highlights will be the appearance of British hard rock giants Def Leppard on Thursday. The band will perform on the Holy Ground for the very first time after recently completing their Las Vegas residency. Before that, Faster Stage will be opened on Wednesday with “Gagamania”: Hämatom will crown the biggest tour in the band’s history with a performance at Wacken, while members of Electric Callboy will party on with their project Electric Bassboy, joined by The Butcher Sisters and Japan’s Lovebites. On the Louder Stage, The Gathering, together with former singer Anneke van Giersbergen, will play their only German show of 2026 to celebrate their breakthrough album “Mandylion.” Fans are also eagerly awaiting the first-ever W:O:A performance by Arch Enemy featuring their new singer Lauren Hart, who joined the band in February. Michael Amott and company are opening a brand-new chapter in the band’s history – and the W:O:A community will be there to witness it. Other must-see performances on the running order include Savatage on Thursday, In Flames and Judas Priest on Friday, as well as Sabaton and Powerwolf on Saturday – bands that have accompanied the festival and its founders Holger Hübner and Thomas Jensen for many years while helping shape and define their respective genres. The 35th edition of Wacken Open Air will also bring emotional farewell moments: not only has Brazilian metal powerhouse Sepultura announced their final German performance for Friday night, but Running Wild, the legendary band led by Rock’n’Rolf, will play their final show ever on the very same night. The Metal Battle competition, now held across six continents, will once again provide a stage for more than 30 international acts during its annual final rounds on Wednesday and Thursday at Wacken Open Air – delivering unforgettable concerts and highly emotional moments for the community. From classic heavy metal and black metal masses to modern core sounds and wild surprises, W:O:A 2026 once again proves why the Holy Ground remains the center of the global metal community. More information on festival tickets for the metal party of the year, as well as camping options and additional upgrades such as Wacken United and the Pit Ticket with exclusive benefits, can be found via wacken.com. PARTY ON and see you on the Holy Ground – Rain or Shine! WACKEN OPEN AIR 2026 July 29 – August 1 2026 For more information and ticket pre-sale, visit: wacken.com and metaltix.com (Photo Credit: WOA Festival GmbH) About Wacken Open Air: Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowdays up to 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, this results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026. Festival tickets, exclusive add-ons and camping options are still available.

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