British rock icons Def Leppard have unveiled plans for a significant UK and European tour scheduled for summer 2026, marking a major return to headline arenas across the continent. The band will kick off the tour in mainland Europe with "An Evening With" performances beginning June 16 in Rättvik, Sweden, and continuing through Helsinki, Finland; Zurich, Switzerland; and Dortmund, Germany. The UK leg of the tour starts on June 26 in Belfast at Belsonic, followed by high-profile shows in Glasgow at the OVO Hydro, Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, London’s The O2, Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live, and Manchester’s Co-op Live—the latter noted as the largest arena in the UK with a 23,500 capacity.

Wrapping the European schedule, Def Leppard will headline the renowned Wacken Open Air festival in Germany on July 30 before concluding with another "An Evening With" show in Dubai on August 2. Support for most headline performances will come from the hard rock band Extreme, except for the Scandinavian, Wacken, and Dubai dates. Tickets for this eagerly anticipated tour go on general sale at 10 am local time on Friday, September 5, with Wacken festival tickets already available.

This tour is particularly significant as it is the band's first headline solo tour across the UK and Europe since their sold-out 2023 run with Mötley Crüe and follows their acclaimed Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace earlier in 2026. The band’s frontman, Joe Elliott, has expressed excitement about the upcoming shows, promising both "surprises and classics" for fans.

Beyond touring, Def Leppard continues to be musically active following the release of their 2022 album 'Diamond Star Halos' and the 2023 orchestral collaboration 'Drastic Symphonies' with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. They also released the single "Just Like 73," featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine, and in 2024 offered a cover of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me." Their affinity for intimate live performances was captured in "Live at The Leadmill," documenting an iconic show at their hometown venue in Sheffield just before its closure.

The announcement of this tour aligns with an active live music landscape, with other major artists like Florence + The Machine and Rick Astley also planning extensive tours in 2026, reflecting a robust demand for live performances post-pandemic. Florence + The Machine’s "Everybody Scream Tour" will visit many UK arenas in early 2026, while Rick Astley is set for a UK-wide arena tour in April. Meanwhile, other veteran acts like David Gray and Barry Manilow have also scheduled multiple UK dates in the summer of 2026, indicating a vibrant touring season that appeals to a wide range of music fans.

Def Leppard will return to the UK a bit sooner to headline BBC Radio 2 in the Park at Chelmsford's Hylands Park on September 7, 2025, their only UK show that year. This appearance will keep the band's live presence vibrant while fans await their comprehensive 2026 tour. Tickets for that festival and the Dubai and Australian shows later in 2025 remain available.

Overall, Def Leppard’s 2026 tour reaffirms their enduring appeal and status as rock legends, poised to deliver memorable experiences across some of the UK and Europe’s most prestigious venues, supported by fellow rockers Extreme. Fans should prepare for a mix of classic hits and fresh material, all delivered with the energy and passion that have characterised the band’s storied career.

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Source: Noah Wire Services