IRON MAIDEN's "Run For Your Lives" 50th-anniversary tour continues to unfold as a series of historic moments, and the band's stop in Sofia, Bulgaria added a genuinely memorable chapter: a meeting with Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova, who welcomed the band to the country with visible enthusiasm and posted footage of the encounter on her official social media channels.
President Iotova noted in her post that despite their legendary status and the enormous spectacle they command on stage, the members of IRON MAIDEN proved to be remarkably down-to-earth in person. She wished them "success at their concert in Sofia tonight and for many years on stage" — the kind of endorsement from a head of state that very few rock or metal acts have received.
The Sofia concert at the Vasil Levski National Stadium drew more than 30,000 fans, continuing the pattern of massive audiences that have turned out across the European leg of the tour. The show featured the "Eddie's Official Pop-Up Dive Bar" fan experience, where attendees could purchase Trooper Beer, exclusive merchandise, and wines — a thoughtful touch that extended the MAIDEN experience beyond the stage itself.
The 2026 European leg kicked off May 23 in Athens, Greece, where IRON MAIDEN made history by performing "Infinite Dreams" live for the first time in 38 years. Sofia followed as the tour's second major stop, with the band demonstrating the relentless pace and ambition that has defined this anniversary campaign.
The tour also carries significant news within the band itself: drummer Simon Dawson has replaced Nicko McBrain, who stepped down following the conclusion of the band's previous touring cycle. McBrain's departure after more than four decades as MAIDEN's timekeeper is one of the most significant lineup changes in the band's history, and Dawson's integration into one of metal's most demanding live shows will be closely watched.
North American tour dates have also been announced, including a headline slot at Kentucky's Louder Than Life festival on September 17, 2026, and a series of stadium performances across the United States and Canada.
Fifty years in, IRON MAIDEN remain among the few bands capable of filling national stadiums and receiving presidential audiences. The "Run For Your Lives" tour is shaping up to be among the most significant metal touring events of this decade.