W:O:A 2026 - Ten More Metal Battle Bands for the Holy Ground

The world comes to Wacken! Nowhere is that more true than with the Wacken Metal Battle, where bands from across the globe gather on the Holy Ground to compete for the international title.

This year, alongside the acts already announced, we are welcoming ten more Metal Battle finalists representing countries from every corner of the world:

• Born Broken – Canada
• The Crescents Call – Austria
• Ashed Winter – France
• Blanket Hill – Luxembourg
• Deflag – Italy
• Morphide – Latvia
• Sót – Iceland
• Haine – Malta
• GÁGOR – Slowakia
• Gidora – El Salvador

Together, they continue the unique cultural exchange that has become one of the defining aspects of the Wacken Metal Battle.

There is, however, one unfortunate update: Of Mice & Men will no longer be able to perform at W:O:A 2026. Taking their place are Swedish metalcore veterans Dead By April, whose combination of massive riffs, soaring melodies, and infectious hooks has been a staple of the genre for nearly two decades.

We’re already working on bringing Of Mice & Men to future editions of the festival.

The lineup poster is slowly but surely running out of space — but we’re still not quite finished yet.

Need a ticket for the 35th Anniversary? This way!

So keep your eyes and ears open.

See you in Wacken — Party On!