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Botswana flag
Country · WMB 2026 · BW
Applications closed

Botswana

The 2026 road through Botswana is sealed. Heat night next.

View 2026 heat results → ← Back to countries
01 Competition rules

What you need
to know.

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

01
Eligibility

Open to bands officially based in Botswana. At least 80% of members must hold Botswana 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 Botswana 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 Applications · 2026 cycle

Closed for
this cycle.

Applications for Botswana closed on 15.03.2026. The country partner is now reviewing submissions ahead of the local heat.

Cycle complete
Status · BW

Applications for 2026
are closed.

The Botswana heat takes place on TBA in TBA. Heat results and the country winner will be announced shortly after.

Bands not selected this cycle can re-apply when the 2027 round opens (Q3 2026).

View 2026 heat results → ← All countries
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