Wacken Open Air has unveiled a major new wave of artists for its 2026 edition, adding 55 bands to a bill that already featured Def Leppard, Powerwolf, In Flames and Savatage. The festival will celebrate its 35th anniversary from 29 July to 1 August 2026 in Wacken, in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.
At the top of the latest announcement stands Judas Priest, presented by the organisers as “the undisputed Metal Gods”. The British heavy metal pioneers will return to the “Holy Ground” with a career-spanning set, reaffirming their status as one of the genre’s foundational bands. Saxon, forced to cancel their 2025 appearance for health reasons, are also confirmed to come back “stronger than ever” next year.
The new line-up wave mixes veterans, current headliners and niche favourites. Australian rock institution Rose Tattoo will visit Wacken as part of their farewell tour, turning their appearance into one of the most emotionally charged moments of the weekend. Guitarist Uli Jon Roth will mark the 50th anniversary of Scorpions’ Virgin Killer with an exclusive show featuring special guests, while Swedish virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen is announced for a set focused on neoclassical shredding.
Modern heavyweights are also well represented. Arch Enemy will play Wacken for the tenth time, although the band has yet to reveal who will be on vocal duties following recent line-up changes. Other additions include hardcore veterans Hatebreed, US groove outfit P.O.D., Black Label Society led by Zakk Wylde, and long-running gothic metal group Paradise Lost.
The 55 new names broaden a line-up that was already anchored by Def Leppard and Powerwolf as headliners, alongside In Flames, Savatage, Running Wild (who are billed for their final show), Emperor, Lamb of God, Sepultura, Airbourne and Europe. Further previously announced acts such as Thunder Mother, HammerFall, Grand Magus, Kissin’ Dynamite, Halestorm, Future Palace, Orbit Culture, Blood Red Saints, Mantra, Faun, Luna Kills, Evergrey, Visions of Atlantis, Any Given Day, Blood Fire Death and The Gathering underline the stylistic range of the anniversary edition.
Organisers describe the 2026 programme as a deliberate balance between historical figures, long-time festival companions and first-time performers, framed by the “Party On!” theme. As in past years, the event will combine large-scale stage productions with an emphasis on community, tradition and the particular atmosphere associated with the Wacken site.
Tickets for Wacken Open Air 2026 are already on sale, with several categories reported as close to selling out. With further artists still to be announced, the 35th anniversary edition is positioned as one of the flagship events on next summer’s European festival calendar.
All confirmed bands for Wacken Open Air 2026 so far
Headliners and previously announced acts
Def Leppard
Powerwolf
In Flames
Savatage
Running Wild (final show)
Emperor
Lamb of God
Sepultura
Airbourne
Europe
Thunder Mother
HammerFall
Grand Magus
Kissin’ Dynamite
Halestorm
Future Palace
Orbit Culture
Blood Red Saints
Mantra
Faun
Luna Kills
Evergrey
Visions of Atlantis
Any Given Day
Blood Fire Death
The Gathering
Newly announced 55 bands
Judas Priest
Saxon
Heavysaurus
Uli Jon Roth
Arch Enemy
Yngwie Malmsteen
Rose Tattoo
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
With the addition of 55 new acts led by Judas Priest, Saxon and Arch Enemy, Wacken Open Air 2026 is shaping up as one of the most diverse and historic line-ups in the festival’s 35-year history.