Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden have expanded their 2026 North American 'Run for Your Lives' tour, adding two new dates due to exceptionally high demand. Fans in Toronto and Los Angeles will now have additional opportunities to see the band perform, celebrating their 50th anniversary with a setlist focused on their early career.
Key Takeaways
- Iron Maiden added two new tour dates in Toronto and Los Angeles.
- The expansion is a direct response to overwhelming fan demand for tickets.
- Megadeth will support on most dates, with Anthrax joining select shows.
- The 'Run for Your Lives' tour celebrates Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary.
- Setlist features songs from the band's first nine albums.
Tour Expansion Responds to Fan Demand
The decision to add more shows comes after initial tickets sold out quickly, demonstrating the band's enduring popularity. The newly announced dates include a second night at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena on August 30, 2026, following the already scheduled August 29 performance. Similarly, Los Angeles will see an additional show at BMO Stadium on September 26, 2026, complementing the September 25 date.
Tickets for these new North American shows are set to go on sale to the general public on Friday. This expansion provides a crucial opportunity for many fans who missed out on the initial ticket sales.
Tour Snapshot
- New Dates: Toronto (Aug. 30), Los Angeles (Sept. 26)
- Support Acts: Megadeth (most dates), Anthrax (select dates)
- Tour Theme: 50th Anniversary, focusing on first nine albums
Celebrating Five Decades of Metal
The 'Run for Your Lives' tour, which began in May, marks a significant milestone for Iron Maiden, celebrating their 50th anniversary. The tour's setlist is a deep dive into the band's extensive catalog, featuring songs from their first nine albums. This includes classics from 1980's Iron Maiden through 1992's Fear of the Dark.
Lead singer Bruce Dickinson expressed his enthusiasm for the tour and its song selection.
"This whole tour has been such great fun," Bruce Dickinson stated. "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 Be Thy Name,' 'Run to the Hills,' 'The Trooper,' 'The Number of the Beast,' 'Killers,' 'Powerslave,' '2 Minutes to Midnight,' 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 favorite, ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner,’ and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.' We are doing them all and more. I mean, who wouldn’t for a 50th birthday party!"
Band Legacy
Iron Maiden formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975. They are one of the most influential and successful heavy metal bands of all time, known for their elaborate stage shows, complex song structures, and iconic mascot, Eddie. Their career spans over four decades, with millions of albums sold worldwide.
Support from Megadeth and Anthrax
Fans attending the North American leg of the tour will also see performances from other thrash metal titans. Megadeth will provide support on nearly all dates. The band is expected to release their self-titled final album in January, adding another layer of anticipation for their appearances.
In addition to Megadeth, fellow "Big 4" thrashers Anthrax will join Iron Maiden on select shows. This lineup promises a powerful experience for metal enthusiasts, featuring multiple legendary acts on one stage.
Key Tour Dates and Locations
The expanded tour itinerary now includes:
- August 29 - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena *
- August 30 - Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena * (New Date)
- September 3 - Montréal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau *^
- September 5 - Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium *^
- September 9 - Boston, MA @ TD Garden *
- September 11 - Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live *
- September 12 - Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion *
- September 15 - Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium *
- September 17 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life Festival
- September 19 - Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater *
- September 22 - Chicago, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre *
- September 25 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium *^
- September 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium *^ (New Date)
- September 29 - San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome *^
- October 2 - Mexico City, MX @ Estadio GNP Seguros (special guests TBA)
* Megadeth support
^ Anthrax support
A Look at Iron Maiden's Live Legacy
Iron Maiden has a long history of impactful live performances and recordings. Their ability to deliver powerful shows is a hallmark of their career. Many critics and fans consider 1985's Live After Death to be not just their best live album, but one of the greatest live albums in rock history.
The band's live albums showcase different eras and strengths. For example, Beast Over Hammersmith captures a hungry band with Bruce Dickinson at the helm, recorded just before The Number of the Beast release. This recording shows the raw energy and potential that would soon propel them to global fame.
Later releases like Rock in Rio (2002) demonstrated their continued dominance. Performed before a quarter-million fans, it highlighted the band's precision and enthusiasm, especially with Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith back in the lineup. This period marked a renewed surge in their career.
Evolution of Live Sound
The band's commitment to live performance extends to their modern tours. The Book of Souls: Live Chapter (2017) showcased Dickinson's powerful vocals post-cancer treatment, proving their resilience. This album included six new tracks from The Book of Souls, blending them with less frequently played classics like "Children of the Damned" and "Powerslave."
Even albums like Flight 666 (2009), which documented the Somewhere Back in Time world tour, served as a greatest-hits package. It featured songs not played in decades, such as the epic "Rime of the Ancient Mariner." This commitment to revisiting their deep catalog ensures that fans experience a comprehensive journey through their music.
The consistent high quality of their live shows, spanning decades, underscores why Iron Maiden continues to draw massive crowds globally and why additional dates are necessary to meet fan demand.