Heavy metal legends Iron Maiden are officially celebrating half a century of musical dominance. As the band gears up for the 2026 legs of their massive “Run For Your Lives” world tour, guitarist Adrian Smith recently opened up about the monumental milestone.
Speaking with Argentina’s “Rock & Pop 95.9” radio station, Adrian Smith expressed disbelief at how fast the decades have passed since he first enlisted.
“It’s incredible, isn’t it? 50 years. I joined the band when I was 24 years old, and it just seems like a few months ago. It’s incredible. It’s gone so quickly, really. But we’ve done such a lot. It’s been an incredible journey, incredible journey,” he shared.
Discussing the current live set, he revealed the group is heavily leaning into their early catalog. “And I think with this anniversary tour, we’re just trying to — we start off with some old songs from the Killers album, and it’s wonderful to go back and revisit those songs ’cause they’re good songs, I think. And they fit in — they sound fresh today, and they’re great fun to play. And I think the audience likes to hear it, as well as we’ll be playing some newer stuff. But, of course, it’s quite emotional. 50 years — I mean, incredible, isn’t it? They say that when you’re having fun, time goes quicker, doesn’t it? Yeah. it seems quick, but when you look back to all the tours and all the shows and the albums, it’s a long time. And like I say, it’s an incredible journey.”
The North American segment of the trek marks exactly 45 years since Iron Maiden first brought their 1981 tour to the United States and Canada. The 2026 itinerary includes massive stadiums and amphitheaters, supported by fellow thrash metal icons Megadeth and Anthrax.
This anniversary coincides with several other major historic events for the group. Iron Maiden has officially been confirmed for the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction class. The ceremony takes place on November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will broadcast via ABC and Disney+. They join a diverse roster of honorees including Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Joy Division, New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. The band will not attend in person, as they are scheduled to perform in Australia that same week.
Furthermore, Trafalgar Releasing has dropped the trailer for a new feature-length documentary titled “Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition.” Fans can catch the cinematic celebration of the band’s history during a limited global theatrical run starting May 7, 2026.
The global celebration also includes a special EddFest event at England’s historic Knebworth Park. Former vocalist Blaze Bayley has been confirmed to headline the Maidenville stage on Friday night, rounding out the ultimate fan experience.
Iron Maiden “Run For Your Lives” 2026 World Tour Dates:
- 05/23 – Athens, GREECE @ OAKA (feat. Anthrax)
- 05/26 – Sofia, BULGARIA @ Vasil Levski Stadium (feat. Anthrax)
- 05/28 – Bucharest, ROMANIA @ Arena Națională (feat. Anthrax)
- 05/30 – Bratislava, SLOVAKIA @ Národný Futbalový Štadión (feat. Anthrax)
- 06/02 – Hannover, GERMANY @ Heinz von Heiden Arena (feat. Megadeth)
- 06/04 – Solvesborg, SWEDEN @ Sweden Rock
- 06/06 – Nurnberg, GERMANY @ Zeppelinfield (Rock IM Park)
- 06/07 – Nurburgring, GERMANY @ Rock AM Ring
- 06/10 – Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS @ Ziggo Dome (feat. Evergrey)
- 06/13 – Nickelsdorf, AUSTRIA @ Nova Rock
- 06/14 – Hradec Kralove, CZECH REPUBLIC @ Rock For People
- 06/17 – Milan, ITALY @ San Siro Stadium (feat. Trivium)
- 06/19 – Clisson, FRANCE @ Hellfest
- 06/22 – Paris, FRANCE @ Paris La Défense Arena (feat. Evergrey)
- 06/24 – 06/27 – Copenhagen, DENMARK @ Copenhell
- 06/25 – Oslo, NORWAY @ Tons of Rock
- 06/28 – Lyon, FRANCE @ Groupama Stadium (feat. Anthrax)
- 06/29 – Antwerp, BELGIUM @ Live is Live
- 07/01 – 07/04 – Viveiro, SPAIN @ Resurrection Fest
- 07/04 – Cartagena, SPAIN @ Rock Imperium Festival
- 07/07 – Lisbon, PORTUGAL @ Estádio da Luz (feat. Anthrax)
- 07/11 – Knebworth, UK @ EddFest (feat. The Darkness, The Hu, Airbourne, The Almighty)
- 08/29 – Toronto, ON, CANADA @ Scotiabank Arena (feat. Megadeth)
- 08/30 – Toronto, ON, CANADA @ Scotiabank Arena (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/03 – Montréal, QC, CANADA @ Parc Jean-Drapeau (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 09/05 – Harrison, NJ, USA @ Sports Illustrated Stadium (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 09/06 – Harrison, NJ, USA @ Sports Illustrated Stadium (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 09/09 – Boston, MA, USA @ TD Garden (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/11 – Bristow, VA, USA @ Jiffy Lube Live (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/12 – Charlotte, NC, USA @ PNC Music Pavilion (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/15 – Hershey, PA, USA @ Hersheypark Stadium (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/17 – Louisville, KY, USA @ Louder Than Life Festival
- 09/19 – Shakopee, MN, USA @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/22 – Chicago, IL, USA @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre (feat. Megadeth)
- 09/25 – Los Angeles, CA, USA @ BMO Stadium (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 09/26 – Los Angeles, CA, USA @ BMO Stadium (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 09/29 – San Antonio, TX, USA @ Alamodome (feat. Megadeth, Anthrax)
- 10/02 – Mexico City, MEXICO @ Estadio GNP Seguros (feat. Anthrax)
- 10/05 – San Salvador, EL SALVADOR @ Estadio Jorge “Mágico” González (feat. The Raven Age, Souls of Steel)
- 10/08 – San José, COSTA RICA @ Estadio Nacional (feat. The Raven Age)
- 10/11 – Bogotá, COLOMBIA @ Vive Claro (feat. The Raven Age)
- 10/14 – Quito, ECUADOR @ Estadio Atahualpa (feat. The Raven Age)
- 10/17 – Lima, PERU @ Estadio Nacional (feat. The Raven Age)
- 10/20 – Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA @ Estadio Hurácan (feat. La H No Murió)
- 10/21 – Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA @ Estadio Hurácan (feat. La H No Murió)
- 10/25 – São Paulo, BRAZIL @ Allianz Parque (feat. Alter Bridge)
- 10/27 – São Paulo, BRAZIL @ Allianz Parque (feat. Alter Bridge)
- 10/31 – Santiago, CHILE @ Estadio Nacional (feat. Mammoth, Nuclear)
- 11/01 – Santiago, CHILE @ Estadio Nacional (feat. Mammoth, Nuclear)
- 11/07 – Auckland, NEW ZEALAND @ Spark Arena (feat. Megadeth)
- 11/11 – Adelaide, AUSTRALIA @ Adelaide Entertainment Centre (feat. Megadeth)
- 11/13 – Melbourne, AUSTRALIA @ AAMI Park (feat. Megadeth)
- 11/15 – Sydney, AUSTRALIA @ Allianz Stadium (feat. Megadeth)
- 11/18 – Brisbane, AUSTRALIA @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre (feat. Megadeth)
- 11/24 – Yokohama, JAPAN @ K-Arena
- 11/25 – Yokohama, JAPAN @ K-Arena
