Boardwalk Rock festival returns in 2027 with Iron Maiden, Korn, Bad Omens
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The gist
Organizer C3 Presents unveiled a 43-act 2027 lineup led by Korn, Bad Omens and Iron Maiden for May 14-16 in Ocean City, Maryland.
The hard rock festival returns after a one-year pause that kept it off the 2026 calendar.
Background
Boardwalk Rock is a hard rock and metal festival held at the Ocean City Inlet in Ocean City, Maryland, organized by C3 Presents. It debuted in May 2025 with a two-day run headlined by Def Leppard and Nickelback, after Mötley Crüe withdrew as a headliner. Ocean City officials said "a variety of challenges" would keep the festival from returning in 2026, but organizers announced a comeback in September 2026, expanding it to three days. It is the spring entry in C3's trio of Ocean City festivals alongside Oceans Calling and Country Calling.
How it unfolded
- May 2025Boardwalk Rock debuted with a two-day stint, with Def Leppard and Nickelback among its headliners, after Mötley Crüe, originally announced as a headliner, withdrew.
- Nov 2025Ocean City officials said "a variety of challenges" would keep the festival from returning in 2026.
- Sep 2026Organizers announced the festival's return after a one-year pause in 2026.
- Oct 16, 2026Iron Maiden was announced as the first 2027 headliner, set to play Sunday, May 16, 2027, as part of the band's North American Tour.
- Oct 20, 2026C3 Presents unveiled the full 2027 lineup: Korn headlines Friday, Bad Omens Saturday and Iron Maiden Sunday, with more than 40 acts across May 14-16, 2027.
- Oct 22, 2026Presale for tickets begins Thursday at 10am ET, with the festival advertising its lowest-priced general admission tickets for the first hour.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Organizers said "Eddie beat us to it – we're stoked to announce Iron Maiden as our first 2027 headliner!" in an Oct. 16 Instagram post.
- Official
- Ocean City business development director Tom Perlozzo said the town would work with C3 Presents on a stronger 2027 event, according to WBOC.