Iron Maiden have confirmed a major UK headline show at Knebworth Park for summer 2026, as part of their 50th anniversary “Run For Your Lives” world tour. The concert will take place on Saturday, July 11, and will see the metal legends joined by The Darkness, The Hu, Airbourne and The Almighty.
The announcement follows last week’s unveiling of the band’s 2026 European stadium tour, which hinted at a landmark UK date. The Knebworth show marks Iron Maiden’s return to the historic Hertfordshire venue, famed for hosting career-defining performances from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen and The Rolling Stones.
The event is set to run across the weekend, with proceedings beginning on Friday, July 10, for fans holding camping tickets. Alongside the live music, the site will host the largest-ever Eddie’s Dive Bar, Iron Maiden-themed food, and specially curated stalls designed to immerse fans in what the band describe as “Maiden World.”
Manager Rod Smallwood said the decision to stage the event at Knebworth was driven by fan demand and the desire to deliver a unique experience. “We knew that we had to bring the ‘Run For Your Lives’ show back to the UK again next summer as there was such a phenomenal demand for tickets this year,” he explained.
“But we wanted to do something a bit different, especially as it would be hard to top the show at London Stadium. Knebworth is the solution. It’s a legendary venue and gives us the space and control to create something very special for our fans.”
Smallwood also referenced Iron Maiden’s previous history at the site, recalling their headline appearances at Sonisphere Festival and Bruce Dickinson’s aerial dogfight display in a Fokker triplane to mark the World War I centenary. “This time, we will be taking over the whole of the grounds ourselves and turning it into as much of a ‘Maiden World’ as we can,” he added.
The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins expressed his excitement at joining the bill. “We’re thrilled to announce that The Darkness are to appear live in support of the legendary Iron Maiden at Knebworth,” he said. “Iron Maiden are among our favourite all-time bands.”
Tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday, September 27 and can be accessed via the link here.
