The largest heavy metal festival in the world, Wacken Open Air, has announced today 55 new bands that will participate in 2026. The most important names are:
The Metal Gods Judas Priest. Saxon, that will play after the vocalist’s health problems and canceled concerts in 2025. Heavysaurus. Uli Jon Roth, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Scorpions album “Virgin Killer” with an exclusive anniversary show with very special guests. Arch Enemy, that announced a few days ago that they parted ways with Alissa White-Gluz. Yngwie Malmsteen, the virtuoso god of the guitar.
The Germans Rose Tattoo, who are on their “Farewell” tour. The Wacken stage will be one of the very special moments in their tour.
Other participants in the glorious 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air will be the bands Ad Infinitum, Alestorm, Alfahanne, Angelus Apatrida, Black Label Society, Bleed from Within, Brunhilde, Castle Rat, Chaosbay, Corrosion of Conformity, Crimson Glory, Danko Jones, Divlje Jagode, Dritte Wahl, Dubioza Kolektiv, Eläkeläiset, Electric Bassboy, Employed to Serve, Focus, Guilt Trip, Hackneyed, Hämatom, Hardline, Hatebreed, Katerfahrt, Kim Dracula, Kittie, Lagwagon, Life of Agony, Mr. Hurley und die Pulveraffen, Municipal Waste, Nita Strauss, Nothing More, Our Promise, P.O.D., Paradise Lost, President, Ricky Warwick, Skynd, Storm Seeker, The Butcher Sisters, The Haunted, Therapy?, Thy Art is Murder, Turbonegro,Vanir, Vended, Vogelfrey.

Some of the preiously announced bands are Airbourne, Blood, Fire, Death (A Tribute to Bathory), Def Leppard, Emperor, Europe, Faun, H-Blockx, In Flames, Mantar, Luna Kills, Nevermore, Paleface Swiss, Powerwolf, Running Wild, Savatage, Sepultura, Pig Destroyer, The Gathering, Thundermother, Nergal performing  “Sventevith” with Misþyrming, and others.

Wacken Open Air is located in Wacken Village, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It will be held between the 29th of July and the 1st of August, 2026. You can buy your tickets here.