Iron Maiden Unveil Eddfest For 50th Anniversary At Knebworth
Heavy metal institution Iron Maiden have revealed the full blueprint for their 50th anniversary UK celebration — and it’s far more than a gig. It’s a fully immersive, fan-built universe.
Taking place Friday 10th and Saturday 11th July 2026 at Knebworth Park, their only UK show of the year has evolved into EDDFEST — a two-day, once-in-a-lifetime Maiden takeover marking half a century of riffs, rebellion and the enduring power of Eddie.
Welcome To Maiden World
Promising to transform Knebworth into a sprawling “Maiden World,” EDDFEST opens at 2pm on Friday for weekend campers, who’ll gain early access to themed areas, live music and the headline attraction: the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience.
Inspired by the Sunday Times bestseller Infinite Dreams, the walk-through exhibition offers fans a rare, up-close look at stage props, artefacts and relics spanning the band’s 50-year history. It’s the first time such a comprehensive collection has been assembled in one place.
Elsewhere, Maidenville forms the beating heart of the site — home to the biggest Eddie’s Dive Bar yet, a second stage for live entertainment, the Unfair Funfair complete with Eddie-themed games, and Eddie’s Emporium packed with exclusive merchandise and souvenirs.
Manager Rod Smallwood says the aim was simple: if Maiden were returning to the UK in 2026, it had to be different. With Knebworth’s vast open space, the band can create something no stadium could contain — a celebration of community as much as catalogue.
Friday Night Maidenville Line-Up
The Friday night programme on the Maidenville Second Stage blends deep-cut connections and cult heroes:
- Stray
- Maiden United
- Airforce
- Tony Moore’s Awake
- Hair Metal Glamageddon
It’s a curated prelude designed for die-hards — a night of shared history before the main event.
Saturday Main Stage Spectacle
Saturday opens the Main Arena, including the Trooper VIP area and expanded experiences, before the live bill builds toward Maiden’s historic headline set.
The line-up unfolds as follows:
- The Almighty
- Airbourne
- The Hu
- The Darkness
- Iron Maiden
The headline set — billed as the show-stopping Run For Your Lives performance — will mark the band’s final UK appearance until at least 2028.
A Celebration Of The Eddie-Verse
Promoters Kilimanjaro, creators of Sonisphere, describe EDDFEST as a fully curated weekend — from camping and glamping options to motorhome villages — built around the camaraderie that defines the Maiden faithful.
It’s a celebration not just of songs and albums, but of culture. Of fandom. Of the Eddie-verse in full technicolour.
For a band that first stormed stages in 1975, redefining British metal with operatic ambition and relentless touring, this 50-year milestone isn’t a victory lap. It’s a communal gathering of the tribe.
Tickets available via ironmaiden.knebworth.com, myticket.co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk and of course, ironmaiden.com
