Recommendations of the Editorial team
The Wacken 2026 should also make fans happy again. As usual, the festival announced some first bands from the line-up for the coming year on the last day of the festival.
Two farewells, a comeback and a headliner debut
In any case, in 2026 there are some emotional highlights: With running wild and sepultura, two musical heavyweights finally say goodbye to the stage – at least on German soil there should be no more shows. While Running Wild play their very last show on the Holy Ground, Sepuldetura say goodbye to the Wacken Open Air 2026 with a final Germany show.
This year Guns n ‘Roses lost their wacken pay. And there will be a first time next year. Def Leppard will give her Wacken debut as headliners in 2026. The British rock giants, known for hymns such as “Pour some sugar on me”, bring stadium vibes to the Infield.
In addition, savatage will celebrate their return to the festival stage. This should be a legendary comeback that many fans have longed for.
The return of the Wacken veterans
In Flames, their mixture of Melodic Death and stadium suitability return, possibly even with a new album. Powerwolf who are awarded a headliner slot are also included. Lamb of God, Emperor and Triptykon with Tom G. Warrior have also promised intensive, energetic sets.
Surprises and genre variety
In addition to hard sound, there is also plenty of tonal variety in 2026 when wacking. The festival is also known for this. H-Blockx bring crossover from radio, rap and rock back to the stage. Europe deliver festival singalongs with hits like “The Final Countdown”.
A highlight for Black Metal fans should also be the “Bathory” tribute of Blood Fire Death.
35 bands for 35 years of Wacken
Here is an overview of the complete list of bands that have already been confirmed:
- Allt
- Airbourne
- Any Given Day
- Blood Command
- Blood Fire Death – A Tribute to Bathory – The only show in Germany
- Broken by the scream
- Accompanied
- Emperor-Best Of Set + AS the Shadows Rise Set with original line-up
- Europe
- faun
- Future Palace
- Gutalax
- Grand Magus
- Insanity Alert
- H-Blockx
- Copper gold
- Lamb of God
- Luna Kills
- Mantar
- Never.
- Orbit culture
- Paleface Swiss
- Pig Destroyer
- Running wild
- SEPTELURA-Last festival show in Germany
- Ten56.
- The Gathering-only Germany show 2026
- The Hardkiss
- Thundermother
- Thrown
- Treyptikon-exclusive special best of set with Several World Live Premiere
The official pre -sale starts on August 3rd from 8 p.m.