IRON MAIDEN Announces 2026 North American Tour With MEGADETH & ANTHRAX — A Historic Metal Union Returns to Rule the Stage
Heavy metal fans, prepare for the thunder. The legends are uniting once again — Iron Maiden has just announced their massive 2026 North American tour, and they’re not coming alone. Joining them on this monumental trek are two of the most powerful forces in metal history: Megadeth and Anthrax. This triple-threat lineup is already being hailed as one of the most ambitious and electrifying metal tours of the decade — a true celebration of the genre’s enduring power, precision, and fire.
Dubbed “The Legacy Resurrected Tour 2026,” this event will mark Iron Maiden’s first North American run since their record-breaking Future Past Tour wrapped in 2024. Beginning in June 2026, the bands will storm through over 35 cities across the U.S. and Canada, hitting legendary arenas, outdoor amphitheaters, and a few surprise festival appearances along the way. The first dates announced include major stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, and Vancouver, with more to follow.
The Return of the Beast
For Iron Maiden, the 2026 tour is more than just another round on the road — it’s a full-circle moment. The band has spent decades shaping the DNA of heavy metal, influencing generations of artists while maintaining their own legendary status. Frontman Bruce Dickinson, now 67, says the upcoming run will be “a return to the roots — with the full fury, energy, and theatrical madness that made Maiden what it is.”
“We’ve always believed that heavy metal is alive and evolving,” Dickinson said in a new statement. “This tour is about celebrating that — not just our past, but the incredible journey we’ve all been on. And to share the stage with Megadeth and Anthrax again? That’s history reborn.”
Fans can expect an elaborate new stage design inspired by the “Legacy of the Beast” mythology, featuring Eddie in multiple incarnations and a setlist that spans Maiden’s iconic catalog — from The Number of the Beast and Powerslave to newer epics like The Writing on the Wall and Hell on Earth.
Megadeth Joins the Charge
For Megadeth, led by the indomitable Dave Mustaine, this tour represents both a reunion and a reinvigoration. After releasing their acclaimed 2022 album The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead!, Mustaine and company have been firing on all cylinders. Megadeth’s set promises to be a high-voltage mix of classics like Symphony of Destruction, Hangar 18, and Peace Sells, alongside newer material that showcases their technical mastery and lyrical bite.
“This is the kind of lineup metal fans dream about,” Mustaine said. “We’ve shared stages with Maiden for decades, and there’s always been a mutual respect. But this time, it’s going to be something truly monumental. Three generations of pure, unapologetic metal — on one stage.”
Megadeth’s touring lineup — with Kiko Loureiro (guitar), James LoMenzo (bass), and Dirk Verbeuren (drums) — has been widely praised for bringing back the intensity and precision that defined the band’s classic years.
Anthrax Completes the Holy Trinity
Completing the holy trinity of metal for this tour is Anthrax, one of the pioneering forces of thrash and a cornerstone of the genre’s evolution. The New York-based outfit, fronted by Joey Belladonna and driven by the unstoppable riff machine Scott Ian, continues to ignite stages with their blend of aggression, groove, and attitude.
Anthrax’s inclusion adds an extra layer of excitement for fans who grew up during the golden age of metal. The band plans to feature songs from their celebrated albums Among the Living, Persistence of Time, and Worship Music, alongside newer material from their upcoming 2025 release — an album that’s rumored to push their sound into new territory while honoring their roots.
“Maiden, Megadeth, and Anthrax on the same bill — it’s like the universe finally aligned for the metalheads,” Ian said with a grin. “We grew up listening to these guys, played with them, and now we get to tear up the continent together again. It’s going to be loud, fast, and glorious.”
Tour Dates, Tickets & Fan Experience
Tickets for “The Legacy Resurrected Tour 2026” go on sale Friday, November 15th, with exclusive pre-sales for Iron Maiden fan club members starting November 13th. VIP packages will include premium seating, exclusive tour merchandise, photo opportunities with Eddie’s stage props, and limited-edition artwork celebrating the tour’s epic lineup.
Each show promises a full evening of metal mayhem — with Anthrax opening, followed by Megadeth’s blistering middle set, and Iron Maiden closing the night with their signature theatrical spectacle.
Fans can also expect unique collaborations, as whispers suggest a few joint performances and surprise guest appearances along the way. The tour’s creative director, Mark Wilkinson, teased that “each night will tell a story — a journey through time, chaos, and the immortal spirit of heavy metal.”
A Defining Moment for Metal
The announcement of this tour has sent shockwaves across the global metal community. Social media erupted within minutes of the reveal, with fans calling it “the ultimate dream lineup” and “the last true heavy metal crusade.”
Music critics are already hailing the collaboration as a landmark event — one that bridges generations and unites metal’s diverse fanbase under one banner. For many, this tour symbolizes not just nostalgia, but renewal — proof that heavy metal’s heart still beats stronger than ever.
Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Anthrax — three titans, one stage, one unforgettable legacy. As Bruce Dickinson put it best:
“We’ve fought for decades to keep this music alive. Now, we’re bringing it back louder, faster, and prouder than ever. The beast lives on.”
Confirmed Early Tour Dates:
- June 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
- June 15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center
- June 20 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
- June 25 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
- July 1 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- July 4 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
- July 10 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
- July 15 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
- July 18 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
More dates to be announced soon.
The Legacy Resurrected Tour 2026 — where three of metal’s mightiest forces rise once more to conquer the stage, proving that the flame of heavy metal will never die.
Up the Irons.
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