For over four decades, Iron Maiden has roared across the globe with the fury of a jet engine, delivering face-melting riffs, epic storytelling, and stage productions that have become the stuff of heavy metal legend. Now, as 2025 dawns, the band that redefined the genre is preparing to hang up their boots — but not without one last thunderous bow. Iron Maiden’s much-anticipated Farewell Tour, aptly titled “One Last Ride”, officially kicks off this month, sending shockwaves of excitement and emotion through their devoted fanbase.
A Legacy Forged in Steel
Since their formation in East London in 1975, Iron Maiden has become more than just a band — they’re an institution. Spearheaded by the indomitable bassist and founder Steve Harris, alongside iconic frontman Bruce Dickinson, Maiden built their empire on concept albums, literary references, and anthems that are as cerebral as they are thunderous.
From The Number of the Beast to Somewhere in Time, Powerslave, and the recent critically acclaimed Senjutsu (2021), their catalogue is a vast saga of sound, spanning war, mythology, science fiction, and beyond. Their mascot Eddie has become a pop culture icon, gracing album covers, T-shirts, and towering animatronic versions on stage.
Now in their 60s and 70s, the band members have decided to give fans one final, unforgettable journey — a celebration of their musical journey and a heartfelt farewell to the stage.
“One Last Ride”: A Tour Like No Other
Iron Maiden isn’t known for doing things halfway — and this farewell tour is no exception. Spanning Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, the One Last Ride tour is slated to run into late 2026, with nearly 100 shows planned.
The first leg kicks off in Madrid, Spain, on October 15, 2025, followed by major stops in Paris, Berlin, and London’s O2 Arena, where three nights have already sold out. The North American leg will begin in Los Angeles in March 2026, with confirmed dates in New York, Chicago, Toronto, Mexico City, and more.
According to a statement from the band:
“This isn’t just a tour — it’s a thank you. A thank you to the generations of fans who’ve supported us, sung with us, and traveled the world with us. We’re going out on our terms, and we promise it will be something to remember.”
Stage designer Mark Fisher Studio, long associated with U2 and Pink Floyd, is collaborating with Iron Maiden for a brand-new stage concept that will blend classic Eddie motifs with modern visual storytelling and jaw-dropping set pieces.
Setlist Dreams and Nostalgic Screams
While the band is keeping the full setlist under wraps, fans can expect a career-spanning show that touches every era of Iron Maiden’s legacy. Insider sources hint at a “three-act” concert structure, with themes from classic ’80s albums, a mid-era resurrection including Brave New World and Dance of Death, and a modern suite that showcases songs from The Book of Souls and Senjutsu.
Rumored songs include:
- “Hallowed Be Thy Name”
- “Aces High”
- “The Trooper”
- “Wasted Years”
- “The Writing on the Wall”
- “Fear of the Dark”
- And possibly the rarely played epic “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Longtime producer Kevin Shirley is involved in crafting the live sound, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers will experience Maiden in their full sonic glory.
The End of an Era — But Not the End
Bruce Dickinson, ever the renaissance man — airline pilot, author, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor — has hinted in interviews that while Iron Maiden’s touring days may be over, the band’s legacy will continue in new forms.
“We’re not dying, just transforming,” Dickinson told Kerrang! earlier this year. “Iron Maiden is bigger than any one tour. But this is the final one of this kind — the last big adventure. After this, we’ll be storytellers in other ways.”
There’s speculation about a final live album or concert film being produced from the farewell tour, and fans are already lobbying for one final live release to document what will surely be one of rock’s most emotional farewells.
A Global Metal Pilgrimage
For millions of fans around the world, One Last Ride is more than just another concert — it’s a pilgrimage. Social media groups, fan clubs, and forums are buzzing with plans, ticket swaps, and emotional tributes. From Argentina to Japan, from Norway to South Africa, fans are gearing up to travel thousands of miles to say goodbye to the band that shaped their musical identity.
Many have grown up with Iron Maiden — discovering them in teenage rebellion, carrying their lyrics into adulthood, and now, passing them on to their children. This tour is, in many ways, a generational gathering — a final communion in the church of heavy metal.
Final Thoughts
The phrase “The end of an era” is often overused, but in the case of Iron Maiden’s One Last Ride, it fits like a gauntlet. As one of heavy metal’s most influential and enduring bands prepares to bow out, they do so not with silence, but with the roar of jet engines, the cry of soaring vocals, and the galloping thunder of bass and drums.
In a world that often moves too fast, Iron Maiden has stood as a reminder that art, myth, and passion can still shake stadiums and stir the soul.
So polish your boots, dust off your battle vest, and raise the horns one more time.
Up the Irons — one last time.
Tour Info & Tickets
Visit www.ironmaiden.com for full tour dates, ticket links, and exclusive farewell tour merch drops.
Do you have memories from an Iron Maiden concert? Share your favorite moments with the hashtag #OneLastRide2025
