Take That have announced the return of their Circus Live tour with stadium shows across the UK and Ireland in summer 2026.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald first staged the production in 2009, and it became the fastest-selling tour in history, with more than 600,000 tickets sold in under five hours. The trio say the new run will be “bigger and bolder,” and will bring back the original 2009 set list while promising a few new surprises along the way. The Script, who supported Take That on the original Circus Live Tour, will return as guests for the UK shows, alongside Belinda Carlisle.
The Circus Live 2026 run opens May 29 in Southampton, followed by Coventry on June 5 and 6, Sunderland on June 9, Glasgow on June 12, Cardiff on June 16, and Manchester on June 19 and 20. Two nights at the London Stadium are planned for June 26 and 27, with a final date in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium on July 4. Tickets go on sale September 26 at 9:30 a.m., with early access available to fans who pre-order the band’s forthcoming tenth studio album, due late 2026, from the Take That official store.
The move comes amid wider music headlines, including reports that former Take That member Robbie Williams has delayed the release of his Britpop album to February 2026 to avoid clashing with Taylor Swift, whose The Life of a Showgirl is due in October. The album, titled Britpop, is described by Williams as a return to the era that shaped his early career. Industry chatter notes that a No. 1 chart position could see him surpass The Beatles for the most UK No. 1 albums if the record performs strongly.
Take That issued a statement saying the Circus tour was one of their favourite experiences and that they have long hoped to revisit it. “Well, that time has come! We’re so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer. See you out there!”
As the 2026 dates were announced, fans and industry observers noted the combination of nostalgia and new elements, with anticipation building around how the stage production will scale up for stadium venues and how the band will reinterpret the set list in a modern context. The Circus Live tour previously featured a large-scale production with aerial elements and dynamic staging, elements fans can expect to see revisited in the forthcoming run.
