DEF LEPPARD, LAMB OF GOD, POWERWOLF, IN FLAMES, SEPULTURA & More Announced For 2026 ‘Wacken Open Air Festival’

With this year’s sold-out Wacken Open Air officially wrapped, organizers have wasted no time unveiling the first wave of artists for the 2026 edition—marking the 35th anniversary of the legendary metal festival held annually in Wacken, Germany.

Among the most notable acts confirmed so far are Def Leppard, Powerwolf, In Flames, Emperor, and Lamb Of God, with Sepultura set to play their final German show and Running Wild delivering their final performance altogether.

The first 35 bands announced for Wacken Open Air 2026 include:

Def Leppard
Powerwolf
In Flames
Savatage
Running Wild (final show)
Emperor
Sepultura (final German show)
Lamb Of God
Airbourne
Europe
Blood Fire Death: A Tribute To Quorthon & Bathory (Germany exclusive)
Triptykon (exclusive best-of set w/ several world live premieres)
The Gathering (only German show of 2026)
Nevermore
Orbit Culture
thrown
Paleface Swiss
The HARDKISS
H-Blockx
Mantar
Any Given Day
Pig Destroyer
Faun
Thunder Mother
Future Palace
Einherjer
Kupfergold
Grand Magus
ten56.
Allt
Blood Command
Broken By The Scream
Insanity Alert (15th anniversary set)
Luna Kills
Gutalax

The festival is set to take place July 29th – August 1st, 2026, with presales officially launching today, August 3rd, via wacken.com.

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