“The fans always come first”
Over the last few days, Iron Maiden fans around the globe have been celebrating the band’s election into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The British metal titans have been eligible for far too long, but finally got the nod in the midst of their global 50th anniversary tour. Later this year, they will be join other rock inductees Phil Collins, Oasis, Billy Idol, and Joy Division/New Order as members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
When the news broke, many of the freshly minted inductees have released statements sharing their excitement about the honor, including Maiden.
“We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees,” Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood states. “Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognised and honoured for any achievements within the music industry too!
It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour visiting the Americas and beyond. We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now! See you all, somewhere on tour.”
While the band is clearly elated with the honor, fans that were hoping to see the band accept the award in person – and possibly perform with past members – will not see that dream come to fruition.
In a new statement to Billboard, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said that the band will not be attending the induction ceremony this November in Los Angeles. He made it clear, however, that the reason for the band’s notable absence is strictly logistical.
“As the most observant have already noticed, the band will be on tour in Australia around the November date of the induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. “In accepting, Iron Maiden made it very clear to the R&R HoF that the fans always come first and that the shows will of course go on. We would like to assure all our fans in Australasia that the Australian and New Zealand dates will remain unaffected and we look forward to bringing the Run For Your Lives Tour to them on the penultimate stop of our 50th anniversary celebrations.”
Last month, Iron Maiden were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, Iron Maiden are still touring the globe performing sold-out shows as part of their 50th anniversary tour – three decades since they became eligible for induction into the Rock Hall. After Bad Company finally got in last year and only one member was able to be at the ceremony, it seems as though the committee is finally getting its act together and giving legendary artists their nod before its too late.
Iron Maiden recently revealed the trailer for their forthcoming 50th Anniversary documentary, Burning Ambition. The highly anticipated film arrives in theaters worldwide on May 7. Check out the official clip HERE.
With unprecedented access to the official archives and intimate recollections from the band, both current and past, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition invites fans to experience one of the most iconic journeys in music history.
Spanning five decades, this electrifying documentary charts the band’s rise from the pubs of East London to the world’s biggest stadiums. Featuring exclusive interviews with band members and contributors such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D, as well as all-new animated sequences of the band’s legendary mascot, Eddie, the film offers a rare and intimate look at Iron Maiden’s uncompromising vision and unwavering connection with their truly global army of fans.
In the fall, Iron Maiden are embarking on the highly anticipated North American leg of their ongoing Run for Your Lives World Tour. The trek is a celebration of the heavy metal legend’s iconic 50th anniversary today. The band will be performing at stadiums and major amphitheaters across the United States and Canada, allowing fans the chance to witness the brand new, state-of-the-art production, on the scale it is intended for – huge stages in outdoor venues, to accompany the once-in-a-lifetime setlist of songs from the band’s groundbreaking first nine albums.
In addition to their tour dates, Iron Maiden will also be headlining America’s biggest rock festival, Louder Than Life, at the Highland Festival Grounds in Kentucky on September 17, 2026.