DEAG broadens festival offerings with addition of Germany’s Rockharz
Deutsche Entertainment (DEAG) is making strides in the rock and metal festival scene with its recent acquisition of a majority stake in the Rockharz Open Air festival in eastern Germany. This event, organized by Veruga in Ballenstedt, attracted 25,000 attendees over three days for its 30th edition, featuring performances by renowned acts like Powerwolf, Heaven Shall Burn, In Extremo, and Saxon.
This development represents a shift for DEAG’s festival arm, which has been focusing on electronic, techno, and urban music festivals in recent years, such as Airbeat One, Mayday, Nature One, Sputnik Spring Break, and Indian Spirit. The addition of Rockharz to its portfolio aligns with the company’s strategy of growth both domestically and internationally through acquisitions.
DEAG CEO Detlef Kornett views Rockharz as a valuable asset, stating, “We see significant growth potential in the festival sector, and Rockharz will enhance our market position by creating synergies with our existing festivals and expanding our presence across borders.” The company is on track to meet its target for ticket sales this year, with a boost in revenue and earnings attributed to strategic acquisitions across Europe.
Rockharz joins DEAG’s collection of rock festivals, which includes Rockfest Barcelona in Spain and Rock The Lakes in Switzerland. The festival, which sold out its 2026 tickets within three days, will feature performances by Subway to Sally, Alice Cooper, Biohazard, and Helloween next year. Managing director Oliver Hoppe emphasizes the festival’s quality, relevance, and continuity, highlighting its position as a significant addition to DEAG’s roster.
Thorsten Kohlrausch and Daniela Glogner, the festival’s current managing directors, will remain shareholders and play an active role in Rockharz’s future. They express excitement about partnering with DEAG, citing the company’s cooperative approach and recognition of their work. Together, they plan to build upon Rockharz’s strengths and unique features for continued success.
In addition to its festival endeavors, Wizard Live, in collaboration with Heavy Metal Truants, organized a charity padel tournament in Berlin, raising over €15,000 for Save the Children. The event, part of a series supporting charitable causes, reflects the organizations’ commitment to giving back to the community.
DEAG’s expansion into the rock and metal festival scene with Rockharz Open Air signifies a strategic move towards diversifying its portfolio and tapping into new market segments within the live music industry. With a focus on quality, synergy, and partnership, the company is poised for continued growth and success in the festival sector.