Iron Maiden has unveiled plans for their 2026 North American leg of the “Run For Your Lives” world tour—a high-octane celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary. Kicking off in late summer, this 13-date run promises to deliver Maiden’s signature spectacle, complete with pyrotechnics, Eddie the Head in all his ghoulish glory, and a setlist drawn exclusively from their first nine albums. But the real kicker? They’ll be joined by thrash metal titans Megadeth on every stop, with Anthrax piling on the aggression for four massive stadium shows.
Announced today, the tour arrives as the final chapter in Maiden’s anniversary extravaganza, following sold-out runs across Europe, South America, and Australasia. Frontman Bruce Dickinson, ever the showman, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm: “This whole tour has been such great fun. I really enjoy belting out all these great old songs, and the whole band are loving playing them too! We’ve got all the big ones from that early period including Hallowed, Run To The Hills, Trooper, Number Of The Beast, Killers, Powerslave, 2 Minutes… and some of them we haven’t played in the U.S. for over 20 years! Plus there’s some real epics including my particular favourite Rime Of The Ancient Mariner and Seventh Son… We are doing them all and more. I mean, who wouldn’t for a 50th birthday party!”
Bassist and founding member Steve Harris echoed the sentiment, highlighting the star-studded support lineup. “We are greatly looking forward to bringing this Run For Your Lives tour to North America and hope the fans enjoy seeing the show and hearing the setlist as much as we do playing it. It’s an added bonus to have a few of our good friends on the tour with us. Megadeth are playing all the shows and it’s an honour to have them join us on their last ever tour. We also have Anthrax with us on the bigger shows, we had a great time with them when they came out with us on Ed Force One around the world in 2016. We’re delighted to have both bands with us for this tour and know our fans will enjoy seeing them.”
This powerhouse bill isn’t just a random pairing—it’s a nod to metal’s golden era. Iron Maiden, the NWOBHM pioneers who’ve sold over 130 million albums worldwide, team up with Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine (whose band is reportedly bowing out after this trek) and Anthrax, the Big Four thrash architects known for their relentless energy. Expect sets blending Maiden’s operatic epics with Megadeth’s razor-sharp riffs and Anthrax’s mosh-pit anthems like “Madhouse” and “Indians.” One thing’s for sure: arenas and amphitheaters across the continent are about to get a whole lot louder.
The tour blends intimate arenas with sprawling stadiums and even a festival slot, hitting key markets from coast to coast. Here’s the full itinerary:
| Date | City | Venue | Support Acts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29, 2026 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena | Megadeth |
| Sept. 3, 2026 | Montréal, QC | Parc Jean-Drapeau | Megadeth, Anthrax |
| Sept. 5, 2026 | Harrison, NJ | Sports Illustrated Stadium | Megadeth, Anthrax |
| Sept. 9, 2026 | Boston, MA | TD Garden | Megadeth |
| Sept. 11, 2026 | Bristow, VA | Jiffy Lube Live | Megadeth |
| Sept. 12, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | PNC Music Pavilion | Megadeth |
| Sept. 15, 2026 | Hershey, PA | Hersheypark Stadium | Megadeth |
| Sept. 17, 2026 | Louisville, KY | Louder Than Life Festival | (Festival set; no support listed) |
| Sept. 19, 2026 | Shakopee, MN | Mystic Lake Amphitheater | Megadeth |
| Sept. 22, 2026 | Chicago, IL | Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre | Megadeth |
| Sept. 25, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA | BMO Stadium | Megadeth, Anthrax |
| Sept. 29, 2026 | San Antonio, TX | Alamodome | Megadeth, Anthrax |
Fans, take note: Maiden’s management is doubling down on their phone-free policy, urging concertgoers to pocket their devices—especially in the pit—to preserve the raw, immersive vibe. As manager Rod Smallwood put it, this simple act has “made a colossal difference to the atmosphere of every show and increased enjoyment for the band and fans alike.”
Tickets are in hot demand already. Iron Maiden Fan Club presale kicks off October 28, with general onsale hitting October 31. Head to the band’s official site or your local ticket vendor to snag yours before they’re gone—prices start around $100 for general admission, but expect premium packages to climb higher for the stadium blowouts.
