British heavy-metal pioneers Iron Maiden are gearing up for a landmark North American summer run in 2026 as part of their 50th-anniversary celebrations. Dubbed the Run For Your Lives World Tour, the trek will deliver stadium- and amphitheatre-scale shows across Canada and the U.S., culminating in a headline set at the Louder Than Life Festival on September 17 at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville, Kentucky.
With a set-list drawn exclusively from their first nine studio albums — from Iron Maiden (1980) through Fear of the Dark (1992) — this will be a true “once-in-a-lifetime” celebration of the band’s early era. The production is described as state-of-the-art and built for large outdoor venues, delivering the full visual and sonic spectacle fitting a five-decade metal legacy.
Joining Iron Maiden for the North American leg are none other than thrash-metal heavyweights Megadeth and Anthrax — both bringing major storylines to the tour.
Megadeth will open all North American dates, aligning their appearance with their own farewell chapter: the band have confirmed their forthcoming studio album (due 2026) will be their final release, followed by a global farewell tour. VIP upgrades and presale access are available now through the Megadeth Tour Page and Ticketmaster.
Anthrax will join select stadium shows — Montréal, Harrison NJ, Los Angeles, and San Antonio — reinforcing the tour’s “Big Four” pedigree and historical weight.
Key Dates
- Aug 29 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- Sept 3 – Montréal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Sept 5 – Harrison, NJ – Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Sept 25 – Los Angeles, CA – BMO Stadium
- Sept 29 – San Antonio, TX – Alamodome
(plus additional stops in Boston, Charlotte, Hershey, Shakopee, and Chicago)
Exclusive Iron Maiden Fan Club presales begin Tuesday, October 28, with general tickets on sale Friday, October 31.
The band also reiterates their “no-phones” request to encourage fans to experience the show in the moment — a move embraced during their recent European leg.
With Iron Maiden marking their 50-year milestone, Megadeth launching their farewell run, and Anthrax joining select dates, the Run For Your Lives tour stands as one of the most historic metal events of 2026.
Grab tickets early — this one’s a metal pilgrimage.
I’m Drew, the founder and editor of Front of the Stage. I have a strong love for music and photography, which started at a very young age. There’s just something I love about experiencing live music and capturing memories that will last a lifetime, and that’s how Front of the Stage came to be.
