Events active currently in - 1 Country
· Promoters Portal · Press
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Country · WMB 2026
Applications open

Active Countries

The road to Wacken runs through Active Countries.

▼ Apply now
01 Competition rules

What you need
to know.

Country-specific rules for the Active Countries heat. Read in full before submitting — incomplete applications are rejected without review.

01
Eligibility

Open to bands officially based in Active Countries. At least 80% of members must hold Active Countries residency.

All members must be 18+ on the day of the country final. No agency representation required.

02
Material

Submit one demo (max 30 minutes). WAV, FLAC or 320kbps MP3.

Spotify or Bandcamp link is required as a backup. YouTube links are accepted but discouraged.

03
Country Final

A jury of Active Countries promoters, press and previous Wacken alumni reviews submissions in two rounds.

Top 8 bands play a live country final. Travel costs to the final are the band's responsibility — your country partner can advise on regional support.

04
What You Get If You Win

A 30-minute slot on the Louder Stage at Wacken Open Air, 31.07.2026.

Festival passes for the full band + one crew member. Travel grant from Wacken Foundation (subject to availability).

Inclusion in the WMB 2026 press kit, distributed to accredited media across EN/DE territories.

05
What You Pay

Application is free. Country finalists are responsible for their travel to the country final venue.

Wacken Open Air week is fully covered for the country winner — accommodation, meals, on-site transport.

02 Submit your application

Get on the road
to Wacken.

Fill in your band's details. Press kit, passport and streaming links are all required. The country partner reviews submissions.

· CF7-2026-

    01 Band identity


    —Locked



    02 Contact



    03 Streaming & socials

    URL

    URL

    URL

    URL

    04 Assets


    Paste link — Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer


    Paste link — band leader's passport, expiry after 01.08.2026


    05 Consent

    Include band in the WMB 2026 press kit (EN/DE), distributed to accredited media.

    // Submissions close 15.03.2026 · 23:59 CET · One per band

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