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Wacken Open Air 2026 ends, 2027 lineup and tickets announced
The 35th edition of Wacken Open Air ran from 29 July to 1 August 2026 in Schleswig‑Holstein, Germany. About 85 000 metal fans attended, the event sold out and was described by organisers as a success despite temperatures above 30 °C, a few drone incursions and a controversy over security staff removing political patches from visitors. Festival director Thomas Jensen said the weather helped and the shows were “epic and fantastic.”
Medical services recorded roughly 3 500 interventions, including 15 heat‑related cases, while police logged 226 incidents, most of them support calls. Security procedures were adjusted after the patch‑removal issue, with security chief Daniel Schlatter acknowledging the mistake.
The festival also revealed the first acts for Wacken Open Air 2027, confirming bands such as Five Finger Death Punch, Electric Callboy, Helloween, Kanonenfieber, Halestorm, DragonForce, Heaven Shall Burn, Napalm Death and many others. Ticket pre‑sale for the 2027 edition began on 2 August 2026, with 10 000 tickets sold out immediately and the remaining 75 000 slated for release on 20 August.
Vodafone reported a data‑traffic record of 115 TB transferred over the four‑day event, the highest among German festivals this season. Additional highlights included a children’s metal act, Heavysaurus, and a visit by TV doctor Caro Holzner, who praised the festival’s medical organisation.
Entities
Belphegor · Carola Holzner · Carola Holzner (Doc Caro) · Daniel Schlatter · Def Leppard · Electric Bassboy · Five Finger Death Punch · Frank Mathiesen · German police (Schleswig‑Holstein) · Günter Jacobs · Heavysaurus · Metality
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The festival adjusted security training to prevent future removal of political patches. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Police recorded 226 incidents by 11:00 a.m. and a total of just over 2,000 incidents during the festival. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +2 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Festival organisers admitted that security staff removed political patches and left‑wing symbols from some attendees. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Medical services handled about 3,500 calls, including only 15 heat‑related cases. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +4 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police described the overall situation as calm, noting a minor assault on the campsite and a drunk motorcyclist who collided with an officer.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2027 Wacken Open Air ticket pre‑sale began with 10,000 loyalty tickets priced at €349 plus a €2 fee.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The 35th Wacken Open Air festival attracted 85,000 attendees and was sold out. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Several unauthorized drone flights were reported, and the pilots faced fines. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.ruhrnachrichten.de · www.nn.de · www.dattelner-morgenpost.de · www.marler-zeitung.de · +4 more