Name: Knock Out Festival 2026 2026
Start: 2026-12-12T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-12-12T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe

Knock Out Festival

About Knock Out Festival

The Knock Out Festival returns to the Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe on December 12, 2026 – a day full of Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and Hard Rock in the heart of Baden's fan city. The headliner for this year's edition is the US Glam Metal legends W.A.S.P. around Blackie Lawless, whose performance in 2026 is among the most anticipated concerts in the German metal scene. Warkings is another top act already confirmed, with more bands to be announced in spring 2026. Promoter Bottom Row GmbH has guaranteed international headliners and uncompromising sound since 2009 – the Knock Out is a must-attend year-end event for metalheads from Southern Germany.

Dates 12 Dec — 12 Dec 2026

Venue Karlsruhe (08212)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Knock Out Festival — edition 2026

Tickets →

The Knock Out Festival 2026 takes place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at the Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe. Headliners are the US Heavy Metal legends W.A.S.P. led by Blackie Lawless, complemented by Warkings and other bands to be announced in spring 2026. The promoter is Bottom Row GmbH & Co. KG.

On Saturday, December 12, 2026, the Knock Out Festival returns to Karlsruhe — a day of Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and Hard Rock in the traditional Schwarzwaldhalle. With Glam Metal pioneers W.A.S.P. as headliners and Power Metal warriors Warkings as the second confirmed act, the first cornerstones of the lineup are set. More bands will be communicated gradually in spring 2026 — the official website and Bottom Row GmbH's social media channels will keep fans updated.

Highlights Knock Out Festival 2026

W.A.S.P. — the Glam Metal legend live in Karlsruhe
Warkings — top-class Power Metal
Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe — proven indoor sound
17th edition since 2009

Programme Knock Out Festival 2026

Confirmed Bands (As of May 2026)

W.A.S.P. — Headliner, US Glam Metal, hits like "I Wanna Be Somebody", "Wild Child", "L.O.V.E. Machine"
Warkings — Power Metal, albums "Reborn", "Revolution", "Morgana"
More bands in preparation — Announcement Spring 2026

Schedule (Typical for Knock Out, final times TBA)

Approx. 5:00 PM — Doors
Approx. 6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Support Acts
Approx. 9:00 PM–11:00 PM — Headliner W.A.S.P.
Approx. 11:30 PM — End

Prices Knock Out Festival 2026

Ticket prices will be announced in early 2026. Expectation: starting from approx. €55 plus fees. Advance sales via knockout-festival.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Knock Out Festival

Getting There

Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe, Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe. 15 minutes walk from the main station or take tram S1/S11/4 towards Rüppurr, stop Kongresszentrum. By car via the A5 (Frankfurt–Basel), exit Karlsruhe-Mitte. Underground parking 'Festplatz' directly beneath the hall.

Date

Saturday, December 12, 2026. Doors usually open at 5:00 PM, start around 6:00 PM, end around 11:30 PM.

Tickets

Tickets are available via the official website knockout-festival.de and all usual ticket retailers. Prices will be announced in early 2026 — typically starting from approx. €55 plus fees.

Tip

Karlsruhe is a magnificent city for metalheads seeking culture: ZKM, Karlsruhe Palace, and the Baden cuisine offer variety between concerts.

Knock Out Festival — Karlsruhe's Metal Stronghold in December

The Knock Out Festival is Karlsruhe's traditional indoor metal festival, bringing top-class international acts to the Schwarzwaldhalle since 2009. Promoter Bottom Row GmbH & Co. KG specializes in Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and Hard Rock — previous headliners included Saxon, Powerwolf, Sabaton, and Helloween, among others. The next edition will take place on December 12, 2026 – a must-attend event for metalheads in the city of Karlsruhe (state of Baden-Württemberg) and beyond.

Headliner 2026 — W.A.S.P.

The headliner for the 2026 edition is the US Glam Metal legends W.A.S.P. led by singer and bassist Blackie Lawless. The band, founded in 1982 in Los Angeles, is considered one of the defining acts of the American Heavy Metal scene of the 80s and 90s — albums like "The Last Command", "Inside the Electric Circus", and the concept album "The Crimson Idol" are genre classics. In Karlsruhe, they will play a classic best-of set with hits like "I Wanna Be Somebody", "Wild Child", "L.O.V.E. Machine", and "Blind in Texas".

Warkings and More Bands

The second confirmed act on the bill is Warkings — the Power Metal collective of anonymous warriors (Tribune, Crusader, Viking, Spartan), which has become one of Europe's most exciting Power Metal bands with albums like "Reborn", "Revolution", and "Morgana". More bands will be announced gradually in spring 2026 — the official website knockout-festival.de and the promoter's social media channels will provide information.

Schwarzwaldhalle Karlsruhe

The Schwarzwaldhalle at the Karlsruhe fairgrounds has a capacity of around 2,500 people and has been the premier rock concert venue in Baden for decades. With good sound, a stage visible from every angle, and a fair concept of standing and seating areas, it is perfectly suited for indoor festivals of Knock Out's size. From Karlsruhe Central Station, you can reach the hall in a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute tram ride.

Bottom Row and 17 Years of Knock Out

Bottom Row GmbH has been organizing the Knock Out since its premiere in 2009. Since then, the festival has grown into one of Southern Germany's most prestigious indoor metal destinations. The mix of international headliners, up-and-coming bands, and a loyal metal community makes the Knock Out a family festival for metalheads — and a fixed year-end event in December.