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Iron Maiden Kick Off 2026 Stadium Tour in Athens With 'Infinite Dreams' Return

Confirmation of Simon Dawson on drums positions the band for November 50th‑anniversary stadium dates in Australia and New Zealand with Megadeth.

Overview

  • The band opened the 2026 leg of its Run For Your Lives world tour at Athens' OAKA on May 23, performing a 17‑song stadium set that mixed staples with a surprise deep cut.
  • Iron Maiden reinstated 'Infinite Dreams' for the first time since 1988, a moment the band captured in an official video recap released after the Athens show.
  • The Athens concert featured support from Anthrax and followed the tour's existing policy asking fans to severely limit phone‑camera use to preserve the live experience.
  • The kick‑off confirms Simon Dawson as Maiden's touring drummer following Nicko McBrain's final shows in December 2024, keeping Steve Harris's touring lineup intact.
  • The run leads toward November 2026 50th‑anniversary stadium dates in Australia and New Zealand with Megadeth as special guests, a move that extends Maiden's long history of large stadium productions and shifts how fans will experience the band live.