IRON MAIDEN are currently in the middle of celebrating their incredible 50-year milestone with the massive “Run for Your Lives” world tour, a trek that has been bringing their classic-era catalog back to the stage for fans around the world. The tour is scheduled to continue through November 2026, but once it wraps up, the band is expected to step away from live performances in 2027.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Guardian, bassist Steve Harris opened up about the planned break and made it clear that it wasn’t his preferred outcome, even if it was ultimately a collective decision within the band.
“It looks like we’re taking next year off,” Harris said. “Personally, I didn’t want to, but that’s me. I’m just one of six people, despite what people might think. They don’t just all do as they’re told. Otherwise we’d be doing stuff next year, too.”
Harris also addressed the idea of revisiting or attempting to replicate IRON MAIDEN’s classic material in a new way, quickly dismissing the notion of trying to recreate past milestones.
“Anyone can harp on about the early stuff, but what’s the point in doing ‘Run to the Hills‘ Part Two or ‘The Trooper‘ Part Two?” he stated.
While he remained careful not to reveal any concrete plans regarding future studio work, Harris did shed light on how decisions are typically made within the group, emphasizing their collaborative approach.
“We tend to get together in rehearsals and have a chat and see what everyone wants to do and go from there.”
IRON MAIDEN will resume the trek next month, with upcoming legs scheduled across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. In addition to their heavy touring schedule, the band is the subject of a new documentary film, Burning Ambition, arriving in cinemas on May 07.
Furthermore, the group will be officially inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this November, with the ceremony taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, although the current active lineup will not attend due to ongoing touring commitments. The tour will also include their biggest UK headline shows to date at their own two-day EddFest at Knebworth in July.
Run For Your Lives World Tour 2026:
May 23, 2026 – Athens, Greece – OAKA (with Anthrax)
May 26, 2026 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Vasil Levski Stadium (with Anthrax)
May 28, 2026 – Bucharest, Romania – Arena Națională (with Anthrax)
May 30, 2026 – Bratislava, Slovakia – Národný Futbalový Štadión (with Anthrax)
June 2, 2026 – Hannover, Germany – Heinz von Heiden Arena (with Megadeth)
June 4, 2026 – Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock
June 6, 2026 – Nürnberg, Germany – Rock IM Park
June 7, 2026 – Nürburg, Germany – Rock AM Ring
June 10, 2026 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome (with Evergrey)
June 13, 2026 – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock
June 14, 2026 – Hradec Králové, Czech Republic – Rock For People
June 17, 2026 – Milan, Italy – San Siro Stadium (with Trivium)
June 19, 2026 – Clisson, France – Hellfest
June 22, 2026 – Paris, France – Paris La Défense Arena (with Evergrey)
June 24, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell
June 25, 2026 – Oslo, Norway – Tons of Rock
June 28, 2026 – Lyon-Décines, France – Groupama Stadium (with Anthrax)
June 29, 2026 – Antwerp, Belgium – Live is Live
July 2, 2026 – Viveiro, Spain – Resurrection Fest
July 4, 2026 – Cartagena, Spain – Rock Imperium Festival
July 7, 2026 – Lisbon, Portugal – Estádio da Luz (with Anthrax)
July 11, 2026 – Knebworth, United Kingdom – EddFest (with The Darkness, The Hu, Airbourne, The Almighty)
August 29, 2026 – Toronto, Canada – Scotiabank Arena (with Megadeth)
August 30, 2026 – Toronto, Canada – Scotiabank Arena (with Megadeth)
September 3, 2026 – Montréal, Canada – Parc Jean-Drapeau (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
September 5, 2026 – Harrison, United States – Sports Illustrated Stadium (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
September 6, 2026 – Harrison, United States – Sports Illustrated Stadium (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
September 9, 2026 – Boston, United States – TD Garden (with Megadeth)
September 11, 2026 – Bristow, United States – Jiffy Lube Live (with Megadeth)
September 12, 2026 – Charlotte, United States – Truliant Amphitheater (with Megadeth)
September 15, 2026 – Hershey, United States – Hersheypark Stadium (with Megadeth)
September 17, 2026 – Louisville, United States – Louder Than Life Festival
September 19, 2026 – Shakopee, United States – Mystic Lake Amphitheater (with Megadeth)
September 22, 2026 – Chicago, United States – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (with Megadeth)
September 25, 2026 – Los Angeles, United States – BMO Stadium (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
September 27, 2026 – Los Angeles, United States – BMO Stadium (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
September 29, 2026 – San Antonio, United States – Alamodome (with Megadeth, Anthrax)
October 2, 2026 – Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio GNP Seguros (with Anthrax)
October 5, 2026 – San Salvador, El Salvador – Estadio Jorge “Mágico” González (with The Raven Age, Souls of Steel)
October 8, 2026 – San José, Costa Rica – Estadio Nacional (with The Raven Age)
October 11, 2026 – Bogotá, Colombia – Vive Claro (with The Raven Age)
October 14, 2026 – Quito, Ecuador – Estadio Atahualpa (with The Raven Age)
October 17, 2026 – Lima, Peru – Estadio Nacional (with The Raven Age)
October 20, 2026 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio Hurácan (with La H No Murió)
October 21, 2026 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio Hurácan (with La H No Murió)
October 25, 2026 – São Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque (with Alter Bridge)
October 27, 2026 – São Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque (with Alter Bridge)
October 31, 2026 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Nacional (with Mammoth, Nuclear)
November 1, 2026 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Nacional (with Mammoth, Nuclear)
November 7, 2026 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena (with Megadeth)
November 8, 2026 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena (with Megadeth)
November 11, 2026 – Adelaide, Australia – Entertainment Centre (with Megadeth)
November 13, 2026 – Melbourne, Australia – AAMI Park (with Megadeth)
November 15, 2026 – Sydney, Australia – Allianz Stadium (with Megadeth)
November 18, 2026 – Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre (with Megadeth)
November 19, 2026 – Brisbane, Australia – Entertainment Centre (with Megadeth)
November 24, 2026 – Yokohama, Japan – K-Arena
November 25, 2026 – Yokohama, Japan – K-Arena
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