Nicko McBrain retires from touring with Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has announced that tonight's show in São Paulo, Brazil, (December 7) will be his final show gig with the band.

Breaking the news on Iron Maiden's social channels, the long-time drummer – who turned 72 this summer – says, "it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle.

"I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!

"What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you!

"I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, 'Up the Irons!'"

Alongside Nicko's statement, Maiden manager Rod Smallwood shared a message on Maiden's socials, thanking him for "being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer."

Read both messages from Nicko and Rod below.

Last year, Nicko suffered a stroke that left him paralysed on his right-hand side from the shoulder down, but was able to come back and continue touring after weeks of rehabilitation.

There is no news on who will replace Nicko for Maiden's busy summer 2025 schedule of the UK and Europe to celebrate 50 years of the band, including a landmark show at London Stadium – home of Steve Harris' beloved West Ham.

Get your Maiden tickets now.

Iron Maiden tour 2025

May

27 Budapest Aréna, Budapest, Hungary
31 Letnany Airport, Prague, Czechia

June

1 TIPOS Arena, Bratislava, Slovakia
5 Trondheim Rocks, Trondheim, Norway
7 SR-Bank Arena, Stavanger, Norway
9 Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark
12 3Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
13 3Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
16 Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland
21 Utilita Arena, Birmingham, England
22 Co-op Live, Manchester, England
25 Malahide Castle, Dublin, Ireland
28 London Stadium, London, England
30 OVO Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland

July

3 Eurockéennes Festival, Belfort, France
5 Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
6 MEO Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
9 Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
11 Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
13 Stadio Euganeo, Padova, Italy
15 Bürgerweide, Bremen, Germany
17 Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna, Austria
19 Paris La Défense Arena, Paris, France
23 GelreDome, Arnhem, Netherlands
25 Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany
26 Cannstatter Wasen, Stuttgart, Germany
29 Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany

August

2 PGE Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland