Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain retiring from band after tonight’s show in Brazil

Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain has announced he’s retiring from touring with the band after 42 years and will play his last show behind the kit tonight in Sao Paulo, Brazil which is the last date of their Future Past tour. Nicko, who’s 72, say he’ll still be involved with Maiden, though, as he explained in a statement released today:

After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Sat, Dec 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.

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!”

Iron Maiden manager Ron Smallwood also released a statement on behalf of the band, wishing him well and saying “we will miss you immensely.” He also says they’ve already chosen their new drummer who will be announced shortly. Read the band’s full statement below.

Iron Maiden’s Future Past tour his NYC last month (pics), and their 2025 tour starts May 27 in Budapest. All dates are below.

Check out photos from Iron Maiden’s recent Barclays Center show:

IRON MAIDEN – 2025 TOUR DATES
27 May 2025 – Budapest, HUNGARY – Budapest Aréna
28 May 2025 – Budapest, HUNGARY – Budapest Aréna
31 May 2025 – Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC – Letnany Airport
June 2025 – 1 Jun 2025 – Bratislava, SLOVAKIA – TIPOS Arena
5 Jun 2025 – Trondheim, NORWAY – Trondheim Rocks (Festival)
7 Jun 2025 – Stavanger, NORWAY – SR-Bank Arena
9 Jun 2025 – Copenhagen, DENMARK – Royal Arena
12 Jun 2025 – Stockholm, SWEDEN – 3Arena
13 Jun 2025 – Stockholm, SWEDEN – 3Arena
16 Jun 2025 – Helsinki, FINLAND – Olympic Stadium
19 Jun 2025 – Dessel, BELGIUM – Graspop Metal Meeting
21 Jun 2025 – Birmingham, ENGLAND – Utilita Arena
22 Jun 2025 – Manchester, ENGLAND – Co-op Live
25 Jun 2025 – Dublin, IRELAND – Malahide Castle
28 Jun 2025 – London, ENGLAND – London Stadium
30 Jun 2025 – Glasgow, SCOTLAND – OVO Hydro
July 2025 – 3 Jul 2025 – Belfort, FRANCE – Eurockéennes Festival
5 Jul 2025 – Madrid, SPAIN – Riyadh Air Metropolitano
6 Jul 2025 – Lisbon, PORTUGAL – MEO Arena
9 Jul 2025 – Zurich, SWITZERLAND – Hallenstadion
11 Jul 2025 – Gelsenkirchen, GERMANY – Veltins-Arena
13 Jul 2025 – Padova, ITALY – Stadio Euganeo
15 Jul 2025 – Bremen, GERMANY – Bürgerweide
17 Jul 2025 – Vienna, AUSTRIA – Ernst Happel Stadium
19 Jul 2025 – Paris, FRANCE – Paris La Défense Arena
20 Jul 2025 – Paris, FRANCE – Paris La Défense Arena
23 Jul 2025 – Arnhem, NETHERLANDS – GelreDome
25 Jul 2025 – Frankfurt, GERMANY – Deutsche Bank Park
26 Jul 2025 – Stuttgart, GERMANY – Cannstatter Wasen
29 Jul 2025 – Berlin, GERMANY – Waldbühne
30 Jul 2025 – Berlin, GERMANY – Waldbühne
August 2025 – 2 Aug 2025 – Warsaw, POLAND – PGE Narodowy