Iron Maiden have revealed that their 50th anniversary Run For Your Lives world tour will wrap up in late 2026, and after that they’re taking a planned break from the road for the whole of 2027. That means the band won’t be back on tour until at least 2028 — giving fans one last chance this year to catch them live before a significant pause.
The heavy metal legends have confirmed the final two concert dates of the Run For Your Lives trek — a tour celebrating Iron Maiden’s first nine studio albums and their five decades of influence. These last shows will be held at K-Arena in Yokohama, Japan on:
- November 24, 2026
- November 25, 2026
Those two nights won’t just close out the tour — they’ll be the last Iron Maiden concerts the band plays until at least 2028.
Bassist and founder Steve Harris said the band is “very excited” to bring the tour to Japan and that finishing there will make the final shows “truly memorable” for both Maiden and their fans. He noted the long history the band has with Japanese audiences and how special it is to perform there again.
Manager Rod Smallwood added that even though the break might be long for fans, it means a lot to Iron Maiden to finish the tour in Japan — and promised an incredible setlist and production for those final shows.
The Run For Your Lives world tour started back in May 2025 and has taken Iron Maiden through Europe, North America, South America and Asia, celebrating the band’s career with a set list largely focused on their early material.
2026 has also seen some big Iron Maiden events beyond the main tour dates, including EddFest — a two-day celebration at Knebworth Park in the U.K. with themed experiences, museum exhibits, games and a live set from the band.
In addition, Iron Maiden are releasing a new documentary, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition, which is scheduled for theaters May 7, 2026, offering fans an in-depth look at their history, impact and the making of this tour year.
This planned hiatus doesn’t mean Iron Maiden are breaking up — far from it. It’s a long rest from heavy touring, likely giving the band time to recharge, focus on other projects (including the documentary and potential future music work), and spend time with family after years on the road.
Taking a year off after such a massive anniversary tour is a notable decision for a band that built their reputation on relentless live work, but many fans and insiders point out that after decades of touring and intricate productions — and with band members now in their 60s and 70s — a break makes sense.
Iron Maiden stated the break will last through 2027, with live performances expected to resume no earlier than 2028.
For fans who’ve followed Iron Maiden for decades — from classic albums like The Number of the Beast and Powerslave to modern spectacle productions — the announcement is significant. It means that 2026 is possibly the last extensive world tour in the band’s career for the foreseeable future. After years of frenetic touring and celebrating their half-century legacy, this pause gives long-time supporters one final large-scale run before a long gap.
Whether Maiden returns in 2028 with new music, fresh tour concepts, or another chapter of their legendary career remains to be seen — but for now, the focus is on making the final Yokohama shows of 2026 truly unforgettable.
