Wacken is coming in 2025 with some changes.
Following the announcement of Machine Head and Papa Roach as the first bands for Wacken Open Air 2025, there are now some more updates to share. Notably, car-free travel options will be made more attractive. The weekend ticket price remains unchanged.
Next year, Wacken Open Air will take place from July 31, 2025, to August 2, 2025. The presale is already underway, but metalheads should note a new requirement: there will be mandatory costs for an Access Pass for cars.
After issues 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 route. It was generally free, but a fee of 66 euros was charged if one arrived on Sunday.
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 solely based on the vehicle and weight, not the number of people. This allows us to create a fair price for everyone, considering the additional workload in terms of personnel and logistics," explain the organizers.
While this may be frustrating for drivers, those who travel by public transport have something to look forward to: "Additionally, the shuttle bus from Itzehoe to W:O:A will be free, making car-free travel even more attractive."
Tickets are still available
Unlike last year, when tickets for 2024 sold out in 4.5 hours, tickets for the world's largest metal festival in 2025 are still available. "We are overwhelmed that the 85,000 available tickets for W:O:A 2025 have almost sold out so quickly. [...] Our goal is to put on the best possible metal festival, not just to announce a quick sell-out," say the organizers.
To maintain the trust of metalheads, they are working hard to improve the festival. "One of the challenges is to design the festival in such a way that new and established elements are combined and enhanced in a meaningful way. It's important for us to book bands that our guests want to see and to put on a cohesive festival," emphasize the organizers.
The festival price, including camping, remains 333 euros next year. The 34 bands that ticket holders can look forward to have already been confirmed, including Apocalyptica, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, and Papa Roach.
Music lovers attending Wacken Open Air 2025 can expect an exciting lineup, with bands like Apocalyptica, Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, and Papa Roach set to perform. To make car-free travel more appealing, the organizers have announced that the shuttle bus from Itzehoe to W:O:A will be free of charge.
