Take That, the legendary British pop trio comprising Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, have officially announced the highly anticipated return of their iconic Circus Live tour for summer 2026. The news, confirmed in a series of press releases and widely reported by outlets including BBC and Pollstar, has sent waves of excitement through fans old and new, eager to relive—or experience for the first time—the magic of one of the most spectacular live productions in UK pop history.
The Circus Live tour, first staged in 2009, remains a landmark in live entertainment. According to Pollstar, it broke UK records as the fastest-selling tour in history, with over 600,000 tickets snapped up in less than five hours and more than one million fans attending sold-out shows across the UK and Ireland. The sheer ambition of the original production—featuring fire-breathers, stilt-walkers, clowns, acrobats, tap dancers, and a massive 30-foot mechanical elephant—set a new standard for what pop concerts could achieve.
Now, 17 years after that groundbreaking run, Take That are set to bring The Circus Live back, promising a show that is, in their words, “bigger and bolder than ever.” The band stated, “The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we’ve talked many times about how much we’d love to do it again one day. 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!” (BBC).
The 2026 tour kicks off at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on May 29, before rolling through stadiums in Coventry (June 5-6), Sunderland (June 9), Glasgow (June 12), Cardiff (June 16), and Manchester (June 19-20), where the band will play two hometown shows at Etihad Stadium. The momentum continues with two nights at London Stadium (June 26-27)—the very venue where Take That performed at the closing ceremony of the London Olympics in 2012. The grand finale is set for Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on July 4. Support acts for the Dublin show have yet to be announced, but UK dates will see The Script and Belinda Carlisle joining as special guests (Pollstar, NME).
Tickets for The Circus Live 2026 go on general sale at 9:30 a.m. BST on Friday, September 26, 2025. For devoted fans looking for a head start, first access to tickets will be available by pre-ordering Take That’s upcoming, as-yet-untitled tenth studio album, which is slated for release towards the end of 2026. This clever move not only boosts album anticipation but also rewards the band’s most loyal followers with a coveted place at what’s sure to be one of the year’s hottest events (BBC, Pollstar).
In a move sure to delight long-time fans, Take That will perform the original 2009 setlist, while teasing “a few new surprises” along the way. The 2009 tour, which supported their 2008 album The Circus—home to the UK Number One single “Greatest Day” and the top 20 hit “Up All Night”—was lauded for its visual spectacle and innovative stagecraft. It’s no wonder that the band and their fans have longed for a repeat experience. As the band put it, “2026 is going to be a special year in many ways – we can’t wait to have you there with us.” (NME).
Take That’s reputation for staging unforgettable live shows is well-earned. Their 2019 Greatest Hits Tour sold 642,000 tickets across 29 arena dates and nine stadiums in the UK alone, including an eight-night residency at London’s O2 and a seven-night run at Arena Birmingham. The band also set a record in 2011 with eight consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium—a record for the longest run of one show at the iconic venue, later equaled by Taylor Swift in 2024. That 2011 run sold a staggering 623,737 tickets and grossed $62,823,259, according to Pollstar.
Special guests The Script, who supported Take That on the original Circus Live Tour in 2009, will return for all UK shows in 2026. The addition of Belinda Carlisle, pop royalty in her own right, further elevates the tour’s star power. For the Dublin finale, fans are still waiting to hear who will join the bill, keeping anticipation high as the date approaches (NME, Pollstar).
Reflecting on the tour’s legacy, it’s clear why The Circus Live has such enduring appeal. The 2009 production was a visual feast, with its blend of circus performers and theatrical elements, all underscored by Take That’s infectious pop hits. The band’s willingness to revisit this era—while updating the experience for a new generation—demonstrates both their respect for their own history and their commitment to evolving as performers.
The announcement has generated a flurry of excitement across social media and music forums, with fans sharing memories of the original tour and making plans to attend in 2026. For some, it’s a chance to relive cherished moments; for others, it’s an opportunity to finally see a show they missed the first time around. Either way, the buzz is palpable.
Tickets, expected to sell at a blistering pace, will be available via all major outlets starting September 26, 2025. If history is any guide, demand will be fierce—after all, there seems to be no limit to the enthusiasm of Take That’s UK fanbase. As Pollstar observed, “There seems to be no amount of tickets Take That’s UK fans wouldn’t snatch up in an instant.”
In the lead-up to the tour, the band’s tenth studio album looms large on the horizon. Details remain under wraps, but the promise of new music, combined with a nostalgic celebration of their past, ensures that 2026 will be a landmark year for Take That and their fans alike.
With a blend of nostalgia, showmanship, and forward-looking ambition, Take That’s Circus Live 2026 is shaping up to be more than just a tour—it’s a full-blown pop spectacle, a reunion of generations, and a testament to the enduring power of live music. For those lucky enough to secure a ticket, it promises to be an unforgettable ride.
