Christopher BarrettKilimanjaro Live parent company DEAG has grown its burgeoning outdoor events interests with the acquisition of the Rockharz Festival from promoter Veruga.
Pan-European promoter, ticketing and venue giant Deutsche Entertainment Aktiengesellschaft (DEAG) said it had acquired a majority stake in the 25,000-capacity festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, via its DEAG Festivals GmbH subsidiary.
Rockharz, which takes place in Ballenstedt in eastern Germany is understood to be the largest rock and metal festival in the region, and one Germany’s largest. Tickets for Rockharz 2026 sold out in three days.
The festival’s managing directors, Thorsten Kohlrausch and Daniela Glogner will continue to play an active and long-term role in shaping the festival’s future development, according to DEAG.
DEAG’s festival portfolio includes more than 30 festivals in its core markets of Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Spain and Ireland, that attract more than 800,000 visitors each year. These include Sion sous les étoiles (Switzerland), the Belladrum Tartan Heart (Scotland) and the Barcelona Rock Fest (Spain).
“We are continuing to expand successfully both domestically and abroad and are consistently implementing our ‘buy & build’ strategy,” said DEAG CEO Detlef Kornett. “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.”
Image L-R: Benedikt Alder (DEAG Festivals EVP), Daniela Glogner (Veruga MD), Oliver Hoppe (MD of Wizard Live GmbH and EVP of DEAG), Thorsten ‘Buddy’ Kohlrausch (organiser and MD of Veruga)