ONE LAST SHOWDOWN: Huge news! Def Leppard have announced a June and July 2026 UK tour with very special guests Extreme 🤘Def Leppard frontman and Planet Rock presenter Joe Elliott says: “We’re very buzzed to announce our UK dates in 2026! “Playing to our home crowd is very important to us, and we’ll be bringing a brand new show that will feature some surprises as well as the classics! See you soon!!

ONE LAST SHOWDOWN: Def Leppard Announce Monumental UK Tour for Summer 2026 with Extreme as Special Guests

Rock fans, brace yourselves—the summer of 2026 just got louder. Legendary rockers Def Leppard have officially announced a major UK arena and stadium tour set for June and July next year, with none other than funk-metal icons Extreme joining as very special guests. The announcement dropped today, sending shockwaves of excitement across the UK rock community and igniting what is already being called one of the most anticipated tours of the decade.

Frontman and Planet Rock presenter Joe Elliott captured the mood perfectly:

“We’re very buzzed to announce our UK dates in 2026! Playing to our home crowd is very important to us, and we’ll be bringing a brand-new show that will feature some surprises as well as the classics. See you soon!”

For fans, that means a fresh spectacle that blends Def Leppard’s timeless hits with new twists, an immersive stage show, and the kind of arena-filling energy only they can deliver.

Rock Royalty Returns Home

Def Leppard are no strangers to global stages. From stadiums in South America to sold-out nights across North America and Europe, the band’s reputation as one of rock’s most enduring live acts is unshakable. But the chance to return to their homeland for a full-scale summer tour carries special weight.

Elliott made it clear that these shows are about more than just music—they’re about gratitude and legacy. “There’s nothing like playing to your home crowd. The energy is different. It’s family, it’s friends, it’s the people who’ve been with us since the very beginning,” he said.

The 2026 tour will mark the band’s most extensive UK trek in nearly a decade, hitting major cities including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and a climactic finale in their native Sheffield—where Def Leppard’s journey began in the late 1970s.

Extreme: A Perfect Pairing

If the return of Def Leppard wasn’t enough, the announcement that Extreme will serve as special guests has pushed fan anticipation into overdrive. Known for their genre-bending sound—melding hard rock, funk, and blistering guitar work—Extreme bring a complementary firepower that promises a night of wall-to-wall classics.

Their 1990 ballad “More Than Words” remains a cultural touchstone, while guitarist Nuno Bettencourt continues to be hailed as one of the most innovative players in rock history. With their recent resurgence fueled by the 2023 album Six, Extreme’s presence guarantees a dynamic double bill that spans generations and styles.

Bettencourt, never one to underplay the thrill of a big stage, said in a statement: “To be touring the UK with Def Leppard—legends who’ve inspired us and millions of others—is a dream. Fans are in for nights they’ll never forget.”

The Show of Shows

Details about the setlist remain under wraps, but fans can expect a mix of Def Leppard’s greatest hits—songs like Pour Some Sugar on Me, Photograph, Hysteria, and Rock of Ages—alongside deeper cuts and possibly even new material.

Production is also expected to be nothing short of spectacular. Insiders hint at a cutting-edge stage design, state-of-the-art visuals, and immersive effects that will rival anything the band has attempted in their career.

“This isn’t just another tour,” said bassist Rick Savage. “We want this to be a celebration, a thank you, and an experience that leaves fans saying, ‘That was the best Def Leppard show I’ve ever seen.’”

Fans React

As news broke, social media lit up with excitement. Longtime fans celebrated the chance to relive the soundtrack of their youth, while younger rock enthusiasts—many discovering the band through streaming platforms—expressed equal enthusiasm.

“Def Leppard in Sheffield? That’s history in the making,” one fan tweeted. “Already setting my alarm for ticket day.”

Another commented: “Extreme AND Def Leppard? That’s like getting two headliners for the price of one. This is the summer of rock!”

A Legacy Cemented

Def Leppard’s announcement comes as the band continues to bask in the glow of their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the ongoing success of their 2022 album Diamond Star Halos. With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, they stand as one of Britain’s most successful rock exports, and their influence on generations of musicians is undeniable.

For Extreme, the tour represents both recognition and revival—a chance to bring their unique brand of virtuosic rock to packed UK arenas, proving once again that their music remains as vital as ever.

Looking Ahead

Tickets for the tour go on sale later this month, with presale opportunities expected to sell out in minutes. Given the scale of demand and the band’s homecoming narrative, many predict the 2026 UK run will rival Def Leppard’s legendary tours of the late ’80s and early ’90s.

Joe Elliott summed it up best in his closing remarks: “We’ve been doing this a long time, but every time we step on a stage, it feels brand new. This tour is about giving back to the fans who’ve kept us going for almost 50 years. It’s going to be loud, it’s going to be emotional, and it’s going to be unforgettable.”

For British rock fans, summer 2026 will be more than just a season—it will be a celebration of two bands, two legacies, and one last showdown destined to echo through the ages.