- That's gonna change next year.
Next year, the Wacken Open Air will take place from July 31, 2025 to August 2, 2025. The presale is already in full swing, but metalheads should note a new requirement: there will be mandatory costs for an Access Pass for cars. The organizers explained to the news agency spot on news what this is all about.
Mandatory Access Pass for 33 Euros
After problems last year, a separate pass was necessary in 2024 for all festival-goers traveling to Schleswig-Holstein by car. The so-called Access Pass had to be activated in addition to the festival ticket for a specific day and travel route. It was basically free of charge - only if one arrived on the Sunday, a fee of 66 Euros was due.
In 2025, this concept will be expanded: a mandatory Access Pass for 33 Euros will be required for each car, regardless of the day of arrival. Vehicles over 3.5 tons, as well as motorhomes and caravans, will cost 66 Euros per vehicle for each day of arrival. "The price is calculated exclusively based on the vehicle and weight, not the number of persons. This way, we can create a fair price for everyone, considering the additional workload in terms of personnel and logistical planning," the organizers explained.
The additional costs are annoying for drivers, but those who travel by public transport can look forward to: "Additionally, the shuttle bus from Itzehoe to W:O:A will be free of charge to make a car-free arrival even more attractive."
Wacken Open Air is not yet sold out
Unlike last year, when the tickets for 2024 sold out within 4.5 hours, tickets for one of the world's largest metal festivals can still be purchased for 2025. "We are overwhelmed that the 85,000 available tickets for W:O:A 2025 are almost sold out so quickly... Our goal is to organize the best possible metal festival - not to announce a quick sell-out," the organizers said.
To not disappoint the trust of the metalheads, they are working hard to improve the festival. "One of the challenges is to design the festival in a way that combines and complements new and established elements. It's important for us to book bands that our guests want to see and to put on a coherent festival," the organizers emphasized.
The actual festival price including camping will remain the same at 333 Euros next year. The 34 bands that the buyers can look forward to are already set: among others, Apocalyptica, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, and Papa Roach will rock the stages.
- Despite the mandatory Access Pass for cars, the tickets for Wacken Open Air 2025 are almost sold out, with only 85,000 available tickets remaining.
- To make a car-free arrival more appealing, the shuttle bus from Itzehoe to W:O:A will be free of charge for festival-goers in 2025, in addition to the mandatory Access Pass for cars, which costs 33 Euros.
