Ariana Grande has significantly expanded her residency in London for next summer, nearly doubling the number of shows due to overwhelming demand. The singer-songwriter, aged 32, is set to perform ten dates at the iconic O2 Arena between mid-August and early September 2026. Originally announced as a five-night residency running from August 15 to 23, the addition now includes August 24, 27, 28, 31, and September 1, marking her only European dates for the highly anticipated Eternal Sunshine Tour.

The tour supports Grande’s seventh studio album, "Eternal Sunshine," released earlier in 2024, and marks her first UK performances since 2019. This extended residency reflects her sustained popularity and fan enthusiasm, with more than two million people attempting to purchase tickets during the initial presale, which led to an immediate sell-out. Reports indicate that many tickets quickly appeared on resale platforms at significantly inflated prices—some as much as ten times the original face value—prompting the star to publicly address the issue. Grande expressed frustration on her Instagram story, revealing she had been actively seeking solutions to combat ticket scalping, stating, "I've been on the phone every second of my free time fighting for a solution. I hear you and hopefully, we will be able to get more of these tickets into your hands instead of theirs. It’s not right."

Despite opting out of dynamic pricing—setting ticket costs in advance from $79 for the highest seats to $799 for premium options—fans still faced challenges due to the secondary market. Grande reassured her followers that her team is doing everything possible to mitigate the impact of scalpers and ensure fairer access to tickets. This engagement underscores her commitment to her fanbase, which remains fervently supportive after the five-year gap since her last tour, the 2019 Sweetener World Tour.

Tickets for the O2 shows will be available through official channels including The O2’s website, Ticketmaster UK, and Live Nation, with presale scheduled for September 16, 2025, and general sales commencing on September 18, 2025. Fans are advised to act swiftly as these events are already generating exceptional interest.

Grande’s renewed focus on live performances coincides with notable achievements in her music career, including winning Best Pop and Video of the Year at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for her work on "Eternal Sunshine" and its single "Brighter Days Ahead." Her acceptance speech warmly acknowledged her "fiercely loving and supportive fans," teasing the upcoming tour as a moment they would share.

Beyond music, Grande’s career continues to expand into film and theatre. She stars in the upcoming sequel to "Wicked: For Good," due for release in November, and is collaborating with renowned director Jon M. Chu on a new adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!," alongside actor Josh Gad. This multifaceted career trajectory reinforces Grande’s position as a versatile entertainer capable of captivating audiences on multiple stages.

In sum, Ariana Grande’s extended London residency next summer not only reflects her enduring global appeal but also highlights ongoing challenges artists face with ticket resale markets. Her proactive stance in addressing fans' concerns and expanding show dates offers an encouraging signal of accessibility and responsiveness in an industry often criticised for pricing barriers.

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Source: Noah Wire Services