Gig News : Def Leppard 2026 Tour

September 3, 2025 rocknews

Def Leppard 2026 Tour: UK and Europe Prepare for Rock Royalty’s Return

The countdown begins. Def Leppard, the UK’s greatest arena rock band, has officially announced their long-awaited return to UK and European stages with the Def Leppard 2026 tour. Following their sold-out global run with Mötley Crüe and a Las Vegas residency in early 2026, the band will headline eleven massive dates across Europe and the UK in June and July, bringing with them a brand-new show, a few surprises, and their signature arsenal of hits.

For fans who’ve waited since the band’s last solo European headline shows in 2018, the Def Leppard 2026 tour marks a triumphant homecoming. With special guests Extreme joining the lineup for most dates, this tour promises to be one of the most electrifying rock events of the year.

Def Leppard 2026 Tour Dates Announced

The Def Leppard 2026 tour kicks off in Sweden and winds through Finland, Switzerland, Germany, and the UK before culminating in a festival appearance at Wacken Open Air and a standalone show in Dubai. Here are the confirmed dates:

Saturday 13th June – Dalhalla, Rättvik, Sweden (An Evening With)
Tuesday 16th June – Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki, Finland
Thursday 19th June – Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
Tuesday 23rd June – Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany
Friday 26th June – Belsonic, Belfast, UK
Sunday 28th June – OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
Tuesday 30th June – Utilita Arena, Sheffield, UK
Thursday 2nd July – The O2, London, UK
Saturday 4th July – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, UK
Monday 6th July – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK
Thursday 30th July – Wacken Open Air, Wacken, Germany (Festival)
Sunday 2nd August – Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE

Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time on Friday 5th September 2025 via defleppard.com. Mastercard cardholders in Finland and the UK will have access to presale tickets starting Wednesday 3rd September.

A Legacy Forged in Platinum and Pyrotechnics

Def Leppard’s journey from Sheffield clubs to global stadiums is the stuff of rock legend. Formed in 1977, the band—Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar), and Rick Allen (drums)—rose to prominence in the early 1980s with their breakthrough album Pyromania, which sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Gig News : Def Leppard 2026 Tour Early years

Their follow-up, Hysteria, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, certified 14x Platinum and spawning seven hit singles including “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Love Bites.” Despite personal tragedies and lineup changes, Def Leppard continued to evolve, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Adrenalize, Euphoria, and Diamond Star Halos.

In 2019, the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their status as one of the most influential acts in rock history. Their 2023 orchestral collaboration, Drastic Symphonies, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, charted at No. 4 in the UK—Def Leppard’s highest UK chart position in over three decades.

Def Leppard 2026 Tour : Generations United In Celebration

The Def Leppard 2026 tour is a celebration of resilience, reinvention, and rock’s enduring power to unite generations. Joe Elliott has promised surprises alongside the classics, hinting at a refreshed setlist and new production elements. Phil Collen adds, “It’s a dream to be coming back to the UK and Europe… and to be coming back with our good friends, Extreme, is a bonus.”

With over 110 million albums sold and more than 20 million followers across social media, Def Leppard’s appeal spans decades. Their live shows are legendary for their energy, precision, and emotional punch—whether it’s Rick Allen’s one-armed drumming defying physics or Joe Elliott’s anthemic vocals soaring over a sea of fans.

Essential Listening: 10 Def Leppard Tracks to Revisit Before the 2026 Tour

To prepare for the Def Leppard 2026 tour, here’s a curated list of ten essential tracks that capture the band’s evolution and enduring magic:

“Rock of Ages” – The ultimate rallying cry from Pyromania, still a live staple.
“Pour Some Sugar on Me” – A pop-metal masterpiece that defined the late ’80s.
“Animal” – Sleek, seductive, and quintessentially Leppard.
“Foolin’” – A haunting blend of vulnerability and power.
“Love Bites” – Their only U.S. No. 1 single, dripping with drama.
“Photograph” – The song that launched them into superstardom.
“Hysteria” – A slow-burning anthem with emotional depth.
“Let’s Get Rocked” – A cheeky, post-Hysteria romp that still gets crowds moving.
“Kick” – From Diamond Star Halos, proof they’re still writing arena-ready bangers.
“Just Like 73” – Their recent collaboration with Tom Morello, a glam-rock throwback with modern bite.

Looking Ahead

With the Def Leppard 2026 tour, the band continues to push boundaries while honoring their roots. From orchestral reinventions to festival headliners, they remain one of the few acts capable of selling out stadiums while still surprising fans with fresh ideas.

For longtime devotees and new listeners alike, this tour is a communal celebration of rock’s past, present, and future. Whether you’re catching them in Sheffield, Zurich, or Wacken, one thing’s certain: Def Leppard’s 2026 tour will be loud, legendary, and unforgettable.