WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026: Austin Regional

Get ready for a night of pure, unfiltered heaviness at the WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026: Austin Regional, where underground metal bands throw down on stage for a shot at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

This isn’t just another show — it’s a full-on battle. Emerging metal acts will storm the stage, unleash their best riffs and breakdowns, and try to win over both the crowd and an international-minded jury. Winners move one step closer to representing the USA on one of the biggest metal stages in the world.

Expect crushing guitars, roaring vocals, and the kind of high-energy performances you only get when bands are fighting for their big break. Even though the band lineup is still TBA, you can count on a stacked bill of hungry, heavy, and loud contenders.

• International metal band contest with a path to Wacken Open Air
• Multiple up-and-coming bands battling it out live
• High stakes, high volume, and nonstop headbanging
• Perfect for fans of extreme music and discovering new bands

If you love finding the next breakout metal act before they hit the big festival stages, this battle is your kind of night.