Dates
No 2027 dates yet. Heats and the final show here once the country partner adds them.
Rules
Two sets apply. Read both before you apply.
Bolivia rules
Set by the country partner01READ BEFORE APPLY
- Independent competition, not Wacken Open Air. Wacken only licenses the name and offers the world winner a performance slot—no funding, organization, or logistics for national rounds.
- Local promoters run each country’s qualifiers. Venues, schedules, costs, staff, and policies are 100% their responsibility. Metal Battle does not manage or supervise venues.
- No premium conditions: No catering, dressing rooms, hospitality, or guaranteed high-end tech. Bands accept real-world, often austere live conditions.
- Free registration. Promoters fund through sponsorships and ticket sales. Bands must bring their own audience – this is a scoring criterion.
- Travel & costs: Bands finance all travel (including to Germany). The world winner receives: camping accommodation at Wacken, transport Hamburg–Wacken–Hamburg, and food on performance day. No cash prizes, no funded tours.
- Performance: 20-minute original set only (no covers unless rights cleared). No visual projections – all play with the Metal Battle flag backdrop. Standard backline and sound engineer provided; no extra backline reinforcement allowed. Bands deal directly (not managers).
- Commitment: If assigned a date, you must play. If unable, you must arrange a swap with another band; otherwise, you perform on the assigned date. Finalists sign a representation agreement and actively promote the competition before, during, and after.
- Judging: Based on execution, stage presence, cohesion, and professionalism – not popularity. Scores are not publicly disclosed.
- Global rules are identical for all countries – no exceptions or regional privileges.
- Voluntary participation implies full acceptance of all venue policies, scheduling changes, and financial responsibilities. No defamation, gossip, or attacks against promoters, bands, or the contest allowed. Feedback is considered for future editions.
- Bottom line: It’s an independent, rough, realistic underground platform – no
Wacken Metal Battle rules
Every country01Country-Specific Applications
- Bands must apply from their respective countries. Applications from outside your country of residence will not be considered.
02Record Label Restrictions
- Your band must not have an existing record deal.
- If your band is in discussions with a label but has not yet signed a contract, you must not sign a deal before or during the competition.
03Performance Requirements
- Your band must be able to perform a 20-minute set consisting entirely of original songs (no covers).
- The use of audio samples during live performances is permitted.
Music must be made by human band members.
All music submitted to and performed at Wacken Metal Battle must be fully composed, written, and performed by human band members. The use of AI in generating compositions, lyrics, vocals, instrumental parts, or recordings is strictly prohibited. Any band found using AI-generated content in any part of their music or performance will be immediately disqualified and may be banned from future participation.
04Eligibility Based on Past Participation
- Bands that have previously won a Metal Battle competition (national or international finals) are not eligible to participate again.
- Bands that participated in past editions but did not win any regional or national heats may reapply.
05Travel & Visa Requirements
- All band members must have a valid passport to travel to Germany.
- The passport must be valid for at least six months before the intended departure date for Germany.
- The German visa must be obtained from the German Consulate in the country where your band is performing.
06Travel Costs
- Bands must cover their own travel expenses for both national Metal Battle heats and international travel to Wacken Open Air. No travel costs will be covered by the event organizers.
07Front of House (FOH) & Lighting Director (LD) Restrictions
- Wacken Open Air provides its own FOH (Front of House) engineer and LD (Lighting Director) for all bands.
- Bringing your own FOH or LD is not allowed.
08Crew & Tour Logistics
- If your band is on tour or has additional shows outside of Metal Battle, you are allowed to bring your own crew.
- All crew details must be provided in advance to the Artist Production team.
- The Artist Production team will coordinate directly with the band to organize travel logistics.
09Guest List Policy
- Bands are allowed to bring guests. For further details, contact your local promoter.
- Each band member and crew member is entitled to bring one guest. For example, a band of 5 members with 4 crew would be eligible for a total of 9 guests.
03 · Country partner
WMB SOUTH AMERICA WEST
Apply for Bolivia
One application per band. Fields marked * are required.
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- Country final
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- Reply within
- 14 days
// Applications closed
Applications for Bolivia are closed.
The application window is closed. The country partner is booking the country final now — the next window is announced on @wackenmetalbattle.official first. Nothing you submit today can be considered.
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