In this Travel 2 Concert post, I’ve rounded up the biggest rock and heavy metal concerts and tours of 2026 that you’ll have the chance to experience live across the world.
Some of the biggest rock and metal bands will be hitting the road, playing in dozens of countries for special performances, from album releases to historic reunions.
Travel 2 Concert is a directory organized by city, mapping out the top music venues, rock-themed hotels, bars, record stores, museums, and key landmarks that help tell the story of rock and heavy metal around the world.
ROCK & HEAVY METAL CONCERTS – Top Tours of 2026
Metallica
Metallica continues its acclaimed M72 WORLD TOUR in 2026, with James Hetfield and the band set to perform in major stadiums across Europe.
The tour will stop in Greece, Romania, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Ireland, and England. The first of the 16 shows is scheduled for May 9 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece.
Before closing 2025, Metallica will also tour Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Check out all tour dates on the band’s official website.
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge has announced an extensive tour across Europe this winter and the U.S. in spring, celebrating the release of the band’s eighth studio album.
Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall, and Scott Phillips will kick off the European leg of the What Lies Within Tour on January 15 in Hamburg, Germany, wrapping up after 31 dates on March 5 in Nottingham, England. In the U.S., the band will perform 17 shows between April 25 and May 24.
Another highlight for 2026 is the launch of the band’s very own BLACKBIRD FESTIVAL, set for June 27 in Cardiff, Wales. Alongside Alter Bridge, the festival will feature performances by three local acts: Skindred, Florence Black, and Cardinal Black.
Follow all tour updates on Alter Bridge’s official website.
Biffy Clyro
Another major tour of 2026 comes from Biffy Clyro. The Scottish band will play 27 shows across Europe and the UKbetween January 9 and February 23.
These live performances are part of the promotion of Futique, the group’s tenth studio album, led by Simon Neilalongside brothers Ben and James Johnston.
Check out all tour dates on the band’s official website.
System of a Down
System of a Down returns to Europe for the first time in nearly a decade. The American band, formed in the 1990s, will embark on a short run of large-scale shows from June 29 to July 18.
The tour will hit Stockholm (Sweden), Paris (France), Milan (Italy), Berlin (Germany), Düsseldorf (Germany), London (England), and Warsaw (Poland).
Queens of the Stone Age and Acid Bath have been confirmed as special guests.
Visit the band’s official website for full details.
Sepultura
The farewell tour “Celebrating Life Through Death” by Sepultura will have another European leg in 2026.
The legendary Brazilian metal band is scheduled to perform between June and August at major summer festivals across Europe, including Wacken Open Air in Germany.
Sepultura is also planning a final hometown show in São Paulo, though the date has not yet been confirmed.
Follow all the band’s tour dates on their official website.
READ MORE: European Concerts – Rock and Metal schedule
Def Leppard
British rock icons Def Leppard will stay on the road in 2026, marking their fifth consecutive year of touring.
A major highlight is the 11-show Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in February. After that, the tour continues through the UK and Europe during the summer.
Find more tour information on Def Leppard’s official website.
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden continues to celebrate 50 years since bassist Steve Harris founded the band. In 2026, the British legends return to Europe with the “Run for Your Lives” tour, featuring a setlist focused on the band’s first nine albums.
Unlike last year, the tour will have fewer shows: so far, 11 dates have been announced, starting in Athens (May 23) and wrapping up in the UK (July 11).
There is also speculation that “Run for Your Lives” may reach other parts of the world, including Brazil.
Find more details on the official Iron Maiden website.
My Chemical Romance
After the “Long Live The Black Parade” tour swept across the United States in 2025, My Chemical Romance has announced more special performances for the first half of 2026.
The band is set to play in Latin America and Asia, with dates confirmed in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
In addition, two London shows at Wembley Stadium are scheduled for July.
Check out all tour dates and locations on the band’s official website.
Deftones
Following a U.S. tour in 2025 that kicked off even before the release of their 10th studio album, Private Music, the Deftones will keep the momentum going into 2026.
Early next year, the band will perform in Paris, Brussels, Hamburg, Munich, Łódź, Berlin, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Cardiff, London, Santiago, San Isidro, Bogotá, and São Paulo.
See all tour dates on the band’s official website.
Linkin Park, Powerwolf, Avatar, Helloween, In Flames, Savatage, Lamb of God, and many other major rock and metal acts will also be on tour in 2026.
Ghost and Iron Maiden had major tours in 2025, and there’s indeed a chance they could announce additional dates in Latin America and other countries.
If you know of more rock and heavy metal artists touring in 2026, become a RED BIRD and drop your recommendations in the comments!
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