Run For Your Lives World Tour 2026 Rumours and Speculation

Yep, quite a few of the shows have actually been just over half full.
Generally it seems Maiden announcements of big over the top worldwide stadium tour were just empty words of Mr. Smallwood. I wouldn't be surprised if the investment in new production become very bad decision, completely not profitable.
 
If they do it professional we don't see the differences. The other problem is completely weird marketing strategy. They announced big 50 Anniversary tour including many big stadium, then they announced visual book for collectors and forthcoming documentary to be screened in the cinemas worldwide. We have the Fall and bunch of new big shows announced for next year in Europe and the document was postponed to next year without specified release date. In normal world this kind of movie is the marketing tool to attract more casual fans to the band's world, especially in the States. Even small kid can understand that. I could bet they eventually release the docum after the whole tour as "something special for our fans". Stupidity level hard, their management deserves Anti-Nobels. :)
I dont know exact situation here but if sales are below expactation then normal marketing strategy is to move lead magnet as close possible to the event date to make cross promotion.
 
The Priest/Alice co-headline tour isn't selling well. I was at their show in London and it was obviously sold out and I've seen both Alice and Priest many times in Europe and they were sold out (or almost). In the US, I think, older bands have a problem with ticket sales. People tend to prefer younger bands and if they are American it's a plus.
Both Alice and Priest play a lot of deep cuts this time around. Maiden play the most mainstream set they could play. So, maybe they do better.
 
The Priest/Alice co-headline tour isn't selling well. I was at their show in London and it was obviously sold out and I've seen both Alice and Priest many times in Europe and they were sold out (or almost). In the US, I think, older bands have a problem with ticket sales. People tend to prefer younger bands and if they are American it's a plus.
Both Alice and Priest play a lot of deep cuts this time around. Maiden play the most mainstream set they could play. So, maybe they do better.
Maybe Maiden musicians know their heydays are over?!
 
If so the demand for them declined a lot since 2024 tour. Not good news.
We don’t know yet how many US dates they will do. If shortened I would think it's because what the guys are doing the first part of the year and then the EU run. I don't know where the talk of decline in the US is coming from. What I do know is when I saw them in Charlotte for TFP tour the arena was full. Is everyone channeling RLonger now?
 
Ghost, Korn and many others are doing well in the States. Judas Priest is co-headlining with Alice Cooper and tour isn't bad. It's just about Iron Maiden' and their decline in the States.

“Decline in the States”?

Their last studio album made number 1 on the Billboard Album Sales chart and hit number 3 on the main Billboard 200 album chart giving them a career best. That album also gave them their biggest ever hit on Mainstream Rock radio! And, on top of that, they are starting to pile on some very impressive streaming stats for some of their classic tracks.

Where is your evidence for all your gloom and doom?

All your post keeps going on about how bad their ticket sales are, how bad the promo is, how bad the management are…..

Are you looking to replace Rod?
 
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“Decline in the States”?

Their last studio album made number 1 on the Billboard Album Sales chart and hit number 3 on the main Billboard 200 album chart giving them a career best. That album also gave them their biggest ever hit on Mainstream Rock radio! And, on top of that, they are starting to pile on some very impressive streaming stats for some of their classic tracks.

Where is your evidence for all your gloom and doom?

All your post keeps going on about how bad their ticket sales are, how bad the promo is, how bad the management are…..

Are you looking to replace Rod?
OK, no evidences just my guessing I must admit. But when I'm saying about Rod and lack of strategy, my opinion is generally based on long-term observations and conclusions.
 
Was looking at Touring Data for Future Past in North America and the tour did well averaging 11k+. Maiden never as big in North America as Europe. Think poor sales in some European markets for 2026 is an issue, but would expect 2026 NA to sell strongly in arenas.

 
OK, no evidences just my guessing I must admit. But when I'm saying about Rod and lack of strategy, my opinion is generally based on long-term observations and conclusions.
I don't mean to be mean or unkind, but the value of such observations is very, very low. Without knowing the management's numbers and business plans, an external assessment is worthless because you have no way to relate your observations to the goals they set for themselves.

Judging by Google search trends, however, the team (as in - marketing & management team) has been performing steadily over the past five years (although performing significantly worse than in the years 2004-2010).
 

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Was looking at Touring Data for Future Past in North America and the tour did well averaging 11k+. Maiden never as big in North America as Europe. Think poor sales in some European markets for 2026 is an issue, but would expect 2026 NA to sell strongly in arenas.

They are playing hits and classics setlist, it should work even better than in 2024 when the setlist was compiled with deep cuts and the last album, not so popular anyway. A brand new production should help a lot - it's a kind of novelty for the fans. Slow sales in Europe are mainly the result of returning with another big stadium leg to many the same places and show - just after 2025 tour covering the big stadiums around. Many festivals don't help with increasing the sales.
 
They are playing hits and classics setlist, it should work even better than in 2024 when the setlist was compiled with deep cuts and the last album, not so popular anyway. A brand new production should help a lot - it's a kind of novelty for the fans. Slow sales in Europe are mainly the result of returning with another big stadium leg to many the same places and show - just after 2025 tour covering the big stadiums around. Many festivals don't help with increasing the sales.
And because is 1 year in advance?
 
The low sales are because is 1 year in advance
The first leg was announced even a little earlier and the sales were extremely fast, BUT it was a brand new tour, with big mouth announcements and big expectations. In this September fans were just after the expensive experience of new live show, and suddenly they announce the next big European tour to come. Same show and setlist. 8 to 10 festivals, a few indoors maybe 2 or 3 stadiums would be enough. We have 20+ shows including many big festivals and ever bigger stadium. If I was Rod, I would announce just one big show in France instead 2 or 3. Stupid, mindless decisions forced them to reduce capacities a bit or moved shows indoors. As the part of 50 Anniversary Tour it doesn't look good, for the band as Iron Maiden it looks shameful in fact. But Rod doesn't care as usual. May agree with my opinion or not, but IM manager is completely out of reality nowadays and the band is on the way to decline just because HIS stupid decisions. They should ask him to retire and find someone right or... just disband after 2026.
 
The first leg was announced even a little earlier and the sales were extremely fast, BUT it was a brand new tour, with big mouth announcements and big expectations. In this September fans were just after the expensive experience of new live show, and suddenly they announce the next big European tour to come. Same show and setlist. 8 to 10 festivals, a few indoors maybe 2 or 3 stadiums would be enough. We have 20+ shows including many big festivals and ever bigger stadium. If I was Rod, I would announce just one big show in France instead 2 or 3. Stupid, mindless decisions forced them to reduce capacities a bit or moved shows indoors. As the part of 50 Anniversary Tour it doesn't look good, for the band as Iron Maiden it looks shameful in fact. But Rod doesn't care as usual. May agree with my opinion or not, but IM manager is completely out of reality nowadays and the band is on the way to decline just because HIS stupid decisions. They should ask him to retire and find someone right or... just disband after 2026.
Its true that now we have seen how is the tour its different. At the end it will be sold out
 
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