Wacken Metal Battle USA has announced its 2026 battle schedule, revealing a nationwide slate of qualifying events that will determine which independent U.S. metal band earns a coveted slot at Wacken Open Air—the world’s largest and most influential metal festival.
The national final is set for June 13, 2026, at Brick By Brick in San Diego, California, where one band will be crowned the WMBU champion and advance to the international stage in Wacken, Germany.
What the 2026 WMBU Champion Receives
- A performance slot at Wacken Open Air 2026
- Full professional backline provided
- $1,000 USD toward flights to Germany
- VIP camping at the festival
2026 Battle Cities
Battles will take place across the United States, including:
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Brooklyn, NY
- Baltimore (Catonsville), MD
- Concord, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Houston, TX
- Portland, OR
- Sacramento, CA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA (city, California, and national finals)
- Santa Ana, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Tampa Bay, FL
- Wilmington, DE
Each city will host multiple qualifying rounds followed by a city final, with winners advancing to regional and national stages. Battles are judged by respected local and national music industry professionals.
Recent WMBU Champions
Previous national winners include:
- Mourning High (2025 – Southern California / Arizona)
- Cascade Effect (2024 – San Diego)
- Fadrait (2023 – San Diego)
- Mythraeum (2022 – San Diego)
- Monarch (2019 – San Diego)
- Voices of Ruin (2018 – Anaheim)
- Corpse Hoarder (2017 – Philadelphia)
The 2025 national finals were held in Clifton, New Jersey, where Mourning High emerged victorious and went on to represent the United States at Wacken Open Air before a global audience of more than 185,000 attendees.
About the Competition
Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of a long-running international competition, sending one band from each participating country to compete at Wacken Open Air. The 2026 edition of the festival will mark its 35th anniversary, taking place July 29 – August 1, 2026, and is already sold out.
Bands advance through city, regional, and national rounds before facing off against champions from over 55 countries in the international battle at Wacken.
For full event details, dates, and ticket links, visit MetalBattleUSA.com.
Written by Rob Joncas for DeadNoteMedia
Artist and event information courtesy of Wacken Metal Battle USA.
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