O2 Academy to Host Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ First UK Headline Tour in 16 Years This Summer – Dates & Tickets Announced

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts are returning to the United Kingdom for their first headline tour in 16 years, with five dates scheduled across England and Scotland in July 2026. The tour marks the band’s first full UK headline run since 2010 and comes after a series of special guest appearances were scaled back to focus on these standalone shows.

The tour begins on Thursday, 2 July 2026 at Glasgow’s O2 Academy, followed by performances in Manchester on Saturday, 4 July at the O2 Academy, Leeds on Sunday, 5 July at the O2 Academy, and Wolverhampton on Tuesday, 7 July at The Civic Hall. The run concludes with a grand finale on Wednesday, 8 July 2026 at London’s British Airways ARC, a newly opened state-of-the-art venue.

Tickets for all dates go on sale on Friday, 24 April 2026 at 10am through official channels, with high demand anticipated given the long absence of Joan Jett and The Blackhearts from UK headline stages. Support on every date will be provided by the UK Britpunk duo The Meffs, who will open each show on the tour.

Joan Jett expressed enthusiasm for the return, stating: “We can’t wait to be back on stage in the UK this summer! I wrote and recorded ‘Bad Reputation’, my first solo LP in London. It’s been too long since we’ve been in the UK and we’re excited to see everyone!” The setlist is expected to include career-defining tracks such as ‘I Love Rock N’ Roll’, ‘Bad Reputation’, and ‘I Hate Myself For Loving You’, among other hits from her extensive catalogue.

In addition to the headline tour, Joan Jett has been confirmed as an opening act for My Chemical Romance’s performance at Wembley Stadium on Friday, 10 July 2026. Tickets for that event remain available through authorised vendors, with updates provided via NME and ticketing platforms.

The announcement reaffirms Joan Jett’s enduring influence in rock music, particularly as a pioneering figure in punk and hard rock. Her previous UK appearances have been limited to festival slots and guest performances since her last full tour with The Blackhearts over a decade ago, making this summer’s run a significant moment for both the artist and her UK audience.