Knebworth Park 'delighted' for Iron Maiden's return

Iron Maiden tickets were set to go on general sale at 10:00 BST

A stately home that has hosted Iron Maiden concerts twice in the past is "delighted" to welcome them for a third time.

The metal band from Leyton, east London, announced it would play a headline show at Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire, on 11 July 2026, alongside supporting bands such as The Darkness, who are from Suffolk.

Lord Henry Lytton-Cobbold, who owns the estate, said he is excited to see how lead singer Bruce Dickinson arrives, as in 2014, he flew his Fokker Dr.1 Triplane to the venue.

"He knows the way, we're the pointy house on the hill just north of London - aka the greatest rock venue in the world!" he said.

Bruce Dickinson flew a biplane above Knebworth Park in 2014

Iron Maiden first played Knebworth Park as part of Sonisphere Festival in 2010.

They returned to the festival again in 2014 when Dickinson flew his plane as part of an air display above the venue to commemorate the start of World War One.

The 125,000-capacity Knebworth Park has hosted concerts for other well-known artists such as Oasis, Queen and Pink Floyd.

When Robbie Williams played three shows in 2003, he was supported by The Darkness, who will return in 2026 to support Iron Maiden.

Other support acts for next summer's show include The Hu, Airborne and The Almighty.

Lord Cobbald said: "Knebworth House is delighted to welcome back Iron Maiden for their third Knebworth and The Darkness for their second.

"This is Knebworth's 61st night of live headline music over 51 years. Our pantheon of the greatest names in rock music adds another legendary night in 2026."

It will be The Darkness' second time playing at the venue

The band's manager, Rod Smallwood, said Knebworth was a "legendary venue" which will be turned into "Maiden World" for the event.

He said: "Of course, we also have history there too with our headline appearances at Sonisphere some years ago, who could forget that World War One Centenary dog fight over the park's tree line with Bruce full guns blazing in his own Fokker triplane?

"We hope you will join us next year as we continue to celebrate five decades of Iron Maiden. It's going to be one for the history books… in a really historic venue!"

Tickets were set to go on sale at 10:00 BST.