# Wacken Open Air 2026-2027: Festival summary and 2027 plans > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/germany-2026-metal-and-gothic-festivals > Updated: 2026-08-21T09:51:09.000Z. Sources: 94. Developments: 10. The 35th-anniversary Wacken Open Air ran from 29 July to 1 August 2026 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, selling out its 85,000-ticket capacity. The event featured approximately 200 acts across ten stages, including headliners Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Powerwolf, Europe, and Sabaton. Notable performances included Sepultura’s last German show and Running Wild’s final career performance. While organizers described the event as a success, the festival faced some controversy regarding a new price list, with fans reacting to costs such as €6.90 for 0.5 L of beer. Attendees also noted a change in official beer from Krombacher to Bud. Security staff faced criticism for removing political patches from attendees, leading to an apology from security chief Daniel Schlatter and subsequent training revisions. Medical teams responded to approximately 3,500 calls, including 15 heat-related cases during temperatures exceeding 30 °C. Police logged 226 incidents, and unauthorized drone flights resulted in fines. The festival also debuted an ecumenical ‘Metal Church’ service led by Pastor Alisa Mühlfried and Mathias Fuchs, which featured musical performances by ‘MetalGodZ powered by Gelbsucht and friends.’ Unlike previous years, attendees experienced sunny and dusty conditions rather than the typical mud. Technical and social highlights included a record 115 TB of data traffic reported by Vodafone, a partnership with DKMS resulting in 111 stem-cell donations, and inclusive projects like wheelchair-crowdsurfing. Following the festival, Wacken Open Air and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) announced a joint ‘Blood Donation Day’ scheduled for 22 August 2026 at the UKE campus. The initiative aims to address local blood shortages, featuring musical performances by the Heavy Metalchor e. V. and guitarist VanSteef. Preparations for the 2027 edition (28–31 July) are underway. The first wave of the lineup includes Electric Callboy, Five Finger Death Punch, Helloween, Heaven Shall Burn, Halestorm, DragonForce, Napalm Death, and Belphegor. ## Claims - The festival features roughly 200 bands on ten stages. (disputed by 4 sources) - The festival will host approximately 200 bands across nine stages, including acts such as Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Savatage, Running Wild and Sepultura. (disputed) - 85,000 tickets sold out for Wacken Open Air 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources) - All tickets for Wacken Open Air 2026 sold out before the camping sites opened. (corroborated by 9 sources) - 85,000 attendees are expected at Wacken Open Air 2026 and all tickets were sold out before the camping sites opened. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Police checked two suspicious persons and a vehicle near the festival; no danger was found. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The 35th Wacken Open Air festival attracted 85,000 attendees and was sold out. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Festival organisers admitted that security staff removed political patches and left‑wing symbols from some attendees. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The festival adjusted security training to prevent future removal of political patches. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Medical services handled about 3,500 calls, including only 15 heat‑related cases. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Several unauthorized drone flights were reported, and the pilots faced fines. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Police recorded 226 incidents by 11:00 a.m. and a total of just over 2,000 incidents during the festival. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-21: Wacken Open Air and UKE Hamburg host joint blood donation day Wacken Open Air and UKE Hamburg are hosting a ‘Blood Donation Day’ on August 22, 2026, to combat local blood shortages, featuring live heavy metal music and exclusive donor T-shirts. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-and-uke-hamburg-host-joint-blood-donation-day ### 2026-08-17: Wacken Open Air 2026 festival begins in Germany Coverage of the Wacken Open Air 2026 festival in Germany, detailing performances from various metal bands and the Metal Battle competition during the first two days of the event. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-2026-festival-begins-in-germany ### 2026-08-11: Wacken Open Air 2026 features metal church premiere and sunny weather The 35th Wacken Open Air festival in Germany featured sunny weather, 85,000 attendees, and the debut of an ecumenical ‘Headbangers’ Church’ service alongside a diverse heavy metal lineup. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-2026-features-debut-of-ecumenical-metal-church ### 2026-08-03: Wacken Open Air Announces 2027 Lineup and Highlights 2026 Festival Experience Wacken Open Air unveiled a star‑studded 2027 lineup and a reporter recapped a 30‑hour experience at the 2026 festival, highlighting major metal acts and the event’s vibrant atmosphere. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-announces-2027-lineup-and-highlights-2026-festival-experience ### 2026-07-31: Wacken Open Air 2026 ends, 2027 lineup and tickets announced Wacken Open Air 2026 ended with 85 000 fans, few incidents and a patch‑removal controversy; 2027 lineup announced and ticket sales start Aug 2, while Vodafone logged a 115 TB data record. 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-announces-2027-lineup-recaps-2026-firsttime-bands ### 2026-07-29: Wacken Open Air 2026 draws 85,000 fans, adds new beer and security checks Wacken Open Air 2026 filled its 85,000‑ticket capacity, saw hot weather, a new Bud beer, police safety checks with no threat, and a DKMS partnership that delivered 111 stem‑cell donations. 49 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-metal-festivals-2026-attract-tens-of-thousands-of-fans ### 2026-07-26: Wacken Open Air 2026 opens to 85,000 fans amid lineup reveal and price protests Wacken Open Air 2026 (29 Jul‑1 Aug) welcomes 85,000 fans, ~200 acts on ten stages, with headline bands and Sepultura’s last German show; fans protest new beer price, while Brazil streams via Magenta Musik. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-2026-massive-festival-details-and-livestream-options ### 2026-07-14: Germany's Wacken Open Air and Helmfest unveil 2026 lineups and ticket details Wacken Open Air (29 July‑1 Aug) expects 85,000 fans with major headliners; Helmfest (30 July‑1 Aug) plans 1,000 visitors, 26 bands, tickets €45‑€78, camping included. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-wacken-open-air-and-helmfest-unveil-2026-lineups-and-ticket-details ### 2026-07-07: Wacken Open Air readies 2026 festival, founder insights and revised stage floor plans Wacken Open Air, the world’s biggest metal festival, will run July 29‑Aug 1 2026 in northern Germany. Founders recall its humble start, while CEO Andre Jürgens says stage floor plates are being relocated to per 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wacken-open-air-readies-2026-festival-founder-insights-and-revised-stage-floor-plans ### 2026-06-09: Germany's 2026 Gothic and Metal Festivals Attract Global Audiences Germany hosted two major 2026 music festivals: Leipzig’s Wave Gotik Treffen showcased gothic bands and diverse cultural events, while Wacken Open Air in Schleswig‑Holstein sold out with headliners Def Leppard, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-2026-gothic-and-metal-festivals-attract-global-audiences --- Cite as: Wacken Open Air 2026-2027: Festival summary and 2027 plans. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/germany-2026-metal-and-gothic-festivals