Iron Maiden to headline Download 2016

their only UK appearance of 2016

By Scott Williams | Published: Mon 19th Oct 2015

Iron Maiden

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June 2016
Donington Park, Donington, Derbyshire, DE74 2RP, England MAP
£205 for five nights with camping
Daily capacity: 111,000
Last updated: Fri 6th May 2016

Making their only UK appearance of 2016 Iron Maiden are the first headlining act announced for next year's 14th Download Festival happening at Donington Park over the weekend of Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June 2016.

They will top the bill on the Sunday of the festival. The band will fly in to East Midlands Airport on their Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet Ed Force One, piloted by Bruce Dickinson and carrying band, crew, stage production and equipment over 55,000 miles around the world, visiting 35 countries on The Book Of Souls World Tour.

Bruce commented, "Download is a very special place for us. Not just because it’s always great to play on home turf but because there’s a truly unique vibe there, it’s the very heart of England and of Metal, so a fitting place for Iron Maiden! The crowd is always fiercely passionate and the whole band feeds off that famous Donington energy. We aim to deliver a really memorable show for our fans to close the 2016 Festival. Although this is our sixth time headlining at Castle Donington, it’s the first time we’ve been able to land Ed Force One right on the doorstep of the Festival site!

"We haven't decided on the set list as yet and won’t until we start rehearsing but we really look forward to playing a number of new songs live, especially as the recording was so much live. However, as it’s been a while since we saw you all, I am sure we will include plenty of older fan favourites too. I think the fans will be delighted by what we have in mind. We are also in the middle of creating the new show and rest assured we are working hard to bring you all something spectacular, something with a lot of heart!!! You certainly deserve it for your patience."

Early bird tickets for Download 2016 have now sold out, full price tickets will be available from 9am Friday 23 October. Tickets will be priced as follows:
Day Tickets: £75
Weekend Arena Only: £170
3 Night Camping: £195
5 Night Camping: £205.

There are no acts other confirmed yet for 2016 fans can expect three days of heavy rock music featuring around 150 acts over five stages at Donington Park, the spiritual home of rock!

We expect there to be another announcement revealing further headliners to follow - Saturday’s headliner, will be at the same time tomorrow.

 For the line-up rumours as available see the Download line-up page.




Latest Updates

Download Festival 2024
festival details
last updated: Tue 26th Mar 2024
Download Festival 2024
line-ups & rumours
last updated: Fri 2nd Feb 2024
Download Festival 2023
festival details
last updated: Tue 6th Jun 2023