Iron Maiden to Be Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame After More Than 20 Years of Eligibility

LOS ANGELES - Iron Maiden will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2026, ending a wait of more than two decades since the English heavy metal band first became eligible.

The Hall of Fame announced Iron Maiden's induction Tuesday, closing one of the longest-running absences in its history.

With their induction now official, the band's manager, Rod Smallwood, released a statement on social media on behalf of the band.

"We'd like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees," the statement said. "Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it's always nice to be recognized and honored for any achievements within the music industry, too."

The statement also noted the band's 50th anniversary celebrations and ongoing world tour.

"It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour visiting the Americas and beyond," the message continued. "We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now. See you all, somewhere on tour."

Iron Maiden's relationship with the Hall of Fame has been complicated. Frontman Bruce Dickinson has previously criticized the institution, once calling it "an utter, complete load of bollocks" and saying he would refuse induction if offered. Other members, including bassist Steve Harris and drummer Nicko McBrain, have expressed more enthusiasm but acknowledged that induction was not necessarily a career goal.

The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Unlike previous years, the event will not be broadcast live. Instead, the ceremony will air in December on ABC and stream on Disney+.

Iron Maiden is scheduled to be on tour in Australia during the ceremony, with shows in Melbourne on Nov. 13 and Sydney on Nov. 15.