The Darkness announce 2026 UK arena tour – their biggest in 20 years

The Darkness have announced their UK arena tour for 2026 – see below for all ticket details.

• READ MORE: In praise of The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins’ genius YouTube channel

The Lowestoft rockers will embark on their biggest tour in 20 years on a seven-date stop following their huge support slot at Iron Maiden‘s Knebworth Park gig on July 11.

Justin Hawkins and co. will kick off their tour on December 8 at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, travelling through Leeds (9), Manchester (11), Cardiff (13) and more, rounding off with their debut show at London’s O2 Arena. American country-rockers Brothers Osborne and fellow Lowestoft band A will support The Darkness on all dates.

Speaking about the tour, Hawkins said: “Powerful rock was designed to be played in huge rectangular buildings. Huge rectangular buildings were designed to house powerful rock bands. The Darkness are a powerful rock band and the arenas listed below are huge rectangular buildings. Except for the exception which proves the rule. Thank you O2 Arena…

“In December 2026 this elegantly logical proposition will become a reality, driven by three bands consisting of seven brothers. Three of them are Perrys, from Lowestoft’s A. Two of them are Osbornes, from the Brothers Osborne. And two of them are my brother Dan and I. The Darkness, Brothers Osborne and A, veritable Bands of Brothers, rocking in a huge rectangular (or domed) building – what could be more powerful than that?”

Pre-sale for The Darkness’ arena tour commences on November 26 here, while general sale will follow on November 28. Snag your tickets here and see all dates below:

The Darkness’ 2026 UK arena tour is:

DECEMBER
8 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
9 – Leeds, FD Arena
11 – Manchester, AO Arena
12 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
13 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
15 – Brighton, Brighton Centre
16 – London, The O2

Last March, The Darkness dropped their latest album ‘Dreams On Toast‘, their first full-length album since 2021’s ‘Motorheart’. According to Hawkins, the record was inspired by “the life-changing music of the ages”.

The record featured singles ‘The Longest Kiss’, ‘Rock And Roll Party Cowboy’, ‘Walking Through Fire’ and ‘I Hate Myself’, as well as a closing track called ‘Weekend In Rome’ which starred actor Stephen Dorff.

The band recently landed in hot water when brother Dan Hawkins criticised Yungblud and Aerosmith’s Ozzy Osbourne tribute as “another nail in the coffin of rock n roll”, calling them “a bunch of bellends”.

Justin would later expand on Dan’s comments on his YouTube channel, describing the performance as “rock n’ roll seen through an Instagram filter of some sort” and adding: “Yungblud seems to have positioned himself as a natural heir to the Ozzy legacy, having nothing to do with the really important stuff.”

In a lengthy response, Yungblud hit back at critics of his performance, calling them “bitter and jealous”.

“They are doing the things they say we are doing,” he told Jack Osbourne (son of Ozzy) on his podcast. “They’re trying to insert themselves into a conversation to obtain some kind of relevancy, on the back of us honouring one of the greatest rock stars that ever lived – and then they talk about authenticity and stuff like that.”

In other news, Justin Hawkins has announced his tour for his podcast ‘Justin Hawkins Rides Again… Again!’ for 2026.

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