DEAG Acquires Majority Stake In Germany’s Rock & Metal Festival Rockharz

Deutsche Entertainment Aktiengesellschaft DEAG is continuing to expand its business activities in the open-air events sector, by acquiring a majority stake in Rockharz Festival from promoting company Veruga.

The acquisition was made through DEAG’s wholly-owned subsidiary DEAG Festivals GmbH. Rockharz Festival attracts more than 25,000 visitors to Ballenstedt in eastern Germany each year, making it the largest rock and metal festival in the region, and one of the largest in Germany.

By acquiring Rockharz, DEAG is strengthening its strong market position in Europe and expanding its festival portfolio.

Besides Rockfest Barcelona in Spain and booking for Rock The Lakes in Switzerland, DEAG is now also gradually expanding its activities in the rock and metal festival genre, having risen to become the leading producer in the EDM/techno/urban music segment in recent years with festival formats such as Airbeat One, MAYDAY, NATURE ONE, Sputnik Springbreak, Indian Spirit, SYNDICATE, Ruhr-in-Love, TOXICATOR and the Kessel Festival in Stuttgart.

DEAG expects the acquisition of the Rockharz Festival to generate synergy effects in areas such as production and infrastructure across segments, as well as in artist acquisition and positive momentum for the touring business and ticketing.

The festival’s managing directors, Thorsten Kohlrausch and Daniela Glogner, will stay on board as shareholders in the event production companies involved, “and will continue to play an active and long-term role in shaping the festival’s future development,” according to the press release announcing the acquisition.

Rockharz took place for the first time in 1993. This year’s 30th anniversary edition fetured 60 artists including Powerwolf, Heaven Shall Burn, In Extremo and Saxon thrilled visitors.

Tickets for Rockharz 2026 sold out three days after going on sale. Subway to Sally, Alice Cooper, Biohazard, and Helloween have already been confirmed for 2026.

‘This Year’s Highlights Are Quite Diverse’: Q’s With Detlef Kornett, CEO, DEAG

Comments:

Detlef Kornett, Group CEO of DEAG: “Rockharz is an excellent addition to DEAG’s festival portfolio. We are continuing to expand successfully both domestically and abroad and are consistently implementing our Buy & Build strategy. We continue to see high growth potential in the festival sector. The Rockharz festival will strengthen our market position through synergies with our festivals and across national borders.”

Oliver Hoppe, Managing Director of Wizard Live GmbH and Executive Vice President of DEAG: “Over 30 artists from our roster were already part of the line-up – not by chance, but rather a reflection of the close connection between touring and festivals. The fact that a festival of this size sold out after three days speaks to substance rather than hype. Rockharz is a logical addition for us: it combines quality, relevance and continuity. Touring and festivals are no longer an ‘either/or’ proposition. The market is increasingly thinking in terms of integration. That’s exactly where synergies arise – when content, partnerships and reach fit together. Rockharz has it all.”

Benedikt Alder, executive vice president of DEAG’s festival segment since June 1: “With its concept of inclusion, the Rockharz festival is a leader in Germany. What’s more, hardly any other festival today can claim to have sold all tickets for the following year within only three days. We are very much looking forward to working with Buddy and Dani and are confident that they will also help us to advance our festivals in a number of areas.”

Daniela Glogner and Thorsten “Buddy” Kohlrausch, Rockharz organizers, and managing directors of Veruga: “With DEAG, we now have a strong partner at our side. We are thrilled by the cooperative attitude of the DEAG team and the high regard in which our work on the festival has been held to date. Together, we will build on the strengths and unique features of Rockharz and develop them further for the future. We are very much looking forward to working with DEAG and its many partners.”

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