IRON MAIDEN have confirmed they will take all of 2027 off from touring and won't return to the road "until at least 2028." The announcement, made through the band's official channels, makes their extensive 2026 "Run For Your Lives" 50th-anniversary world tour all the more significant as what could be the last chance for fans in many markets to see the legendary sextet perform for an extended period.
The "Run For Your Lives" tour, which launched in May 2025 in Budapest, Hungary, has been one of the most successful concert tours in heavy metal history. The anniversary celebration has seen IRON MAIDEN focusing their setlists on material from their first nine studio albums — the Bruce Dickinson era from 1982's "The Number Of The Beast" through 1992's "Fear Of The Dark" — a decision that has delighted longtime fans who have longed to hear deep cuts from the band's golden period alongside the obvious classics.
The band's schedule for 2026 includes a summer return to Europe for predominantly festival and stadium dates, where they are expected to headline Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, and other major events. Following the European summer run, IRON MAIDEN will visit many other parts of the world, including a massive North American leg with MEGADETH and ANTHRAX as support that has already generated enormous excitement.
Singer Bruce Dickinson has separately confirmed he will record his next solo album in 2026 for a 2027 release, keeping himself creatively active during the band's touring hiatus. Dickinson's solo career has experienced a significant resurgence following the release of "The Mandrake Project" in 2024 and its accompanying tour, which was still going strong through late 2025. The 2027 break will also give other band members time to pursue personal projects — guitarist Adrian Smith with SMITH/KOTZEN, and bassist Steve Harris with BRITISH LION. At 67 years old, Dickinson remains one of the most physically impressive frontmen in rock music, but the touring break acknowledges the practical realities of maintaining such demanding live performances.