Def Leppard, often described as the UK’s greatest arena rock band, have announced a series of UK and European tour dates for June and July 2026.
The band will headline some of the continent’s biggest venues, including London’s The O2 and the Utilita Arena in their hometown of Sheffield. Dates in Switzerland, Finland and Germany are also confirmed, with Boston rock band Extreme joining as special guests on select shows.
These will be Def Leppard’s first UK and EU headline appearances since their 2023 stadium run with Mötley Crüe, a tour that sold out Wembley Stadium and attracted more than 2.1 million fans across 27 countries.
Frontman Joe Elliott said,
“We’re looking forward to playing Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford this week, our only UK date of 2025. But we’re also very buzzed to announce our UK and Euro dates in 2026. Playing to our home crowd and our fans in Europe is very important to us, and we’ll be bringing a brand new show that will feature some surprises as well as the classics. See you soon!”
Guitarist Phil Collen added,
“It’s a dream to be coming back to the UK and Europe in June and July next year. And to be coming back with our good friends, Extreme, is a bonus. It’s going to be an incredible night for all the fans!”
With more than 110 million albums sold worldwide, two Diamond Awards in the US, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Def Leppard remain one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Their catalogue includes two of the best-selling albums ever, Pyromania and Hysteria, featuring tracks such as Rock of Ages, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Animal and Foolin’.
Their most recent release, Drastic Symphonies, recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, reached No 4 on the UK charts in 2023, their highest chart position in 32 years. The album led to a BBC Radio 2 Piano Rooms performance of Pour Some Sugar On Me with Emm Gryner and the BBC Concert Orchestra.
Before starting their 2026 tour, Def Leppard will headline the final night of Radio 2 In the Park Festival on Sunday 7 September 2025, followed by a Las Vegas residency in early 2026.
Tour dates announced so far:
- Friday 26 June 2026 – Belsonic, Belfast UK
- Sunday 28 June 2026 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow UK
- Tuesday 30 June 2026 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield UK
- Thursday 2 July 2026 – The O2, London UK
- Saturday 4 July 2026 – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham UK
- Monday 6 July 2026 – Co-op Live, Manchester UK
- Thursday 30 July 2026 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken Germany
