Mike Brooks
Audio By Carbonatix
If you’re an ice hockey enthusiast in Dallas, you know that the Stars defeated the Buffalo Sabres to win the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup in 1999. That year’s team was indeed a stellar squad, featuring captain Derian Hatcher, Joe Nieuwendyk, Mike Modano, Ed Belfour and Brett Hull, to name a few. That squad also included backup goalie Roman Turek. One of Turek’s most distinguishing characteristics was the artwork on his mask, which featured the skeletal mascot “Eddie” of legendary metal band Iron Maiden. The designs were painted by artist Ray Bishop because Turek was such a huge fan of the group.
Roman Turek is not alone in his appreciation of Iron Maiden. Many Dallasites have flocked to concerts held by the legendary heavy metal band over the years. There was the sold-out 2017 show at American Airlines Center, featuring Swedish metal group Ghost as the opener. Then there was the sold-out Legacy of the Beast tour stop in 2019, at the Dos Equis Pavilion. Lead vocalist and frontman Bruce Dickinson performed at House of Blues Dallas on Aug. 29, 2025, but as part of The Mandrake Project North American Tour. This is Dickinson’s solo effort and not to be confused with the theatrical spectacle of Iron Maiden’s shows, but it was also a sold-out performance.
Side note: Beloved Dallas music family member and Good Records co-founder, the late Chris Penn, was once held at knife-point as a kid in the bathroom of an Iron Maiden concert. In 2012, he recounted the story to the Observer, saying, “I told the guy ‘NO’ and ran out of the bathroom. I was going to take off my Texas-specific Maiden shirt with camouflage sleeves. Thank God I didn’t get stabbed.” It’s safe to say that local love for Iron Maiden has been deep, in some cases, enough to sprint away rather than give up a treasure.
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Last month, Iron Maiden announced their Run For Your Lives World Tour (ironic, given Chris Penn’s brave strategy), which will begin on Aug. 29 in Toronto next year. This was incredible news, sparking great rejoicing among heavy metal fans. It’s Iron Maiden’s 50th anniversary celebration, and Megadeth will be joining them on the road. For the really big arena shows, Anthrax will be added to the lineup.
Then, additional details came to light. The North American dates included only twelve cities with second shows added in certain places due to demand, and Dallas wasn’t on the list. The closest show will be in San Antonio at the Alamodome on Sept. 29, 2026, which will serve as the tour finale in the U.S. before continuing into Mexico.
Our question is, why isn’t Dallas a stop on the tour? We need this show. There are so many dedicated Iron Maiden fans here, and Iron Maiden shows have consistently sold out in Dallas. Asking all of the metalheads to drive five hours south to San Antonio is a bummer. That means they will incur hotel, food, gas and parking/Uber expenses in addition to the concert tickets (which start at about $60 to $100 for nosebleeds at the Alamodome).
Hear us out. What if Iron Maiden plays the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026? That would give the crew all day Oct. 1 to get to Estadio GNP Seguros for their Oct. 2 Mexico City show. The Rolling Stones have played seven concerts at the Cotton Bowl, generating a minimum of $2,530,185 in revenue per event. With a current seating capacity of over 90,000, the Cotton Bowl can provide the huge outdoor venue that Iron Maiden excels at utilizing, thanks to its state-of-the-art production and incredible visual effects. The Alamodome has only 64,000 seats – just saying.
The Red River Rivalry usually falls on the first or second weekend of October, so there’s time for Iron Maiden to claim Sept. 30 at the Cotton Bowl. Plus, the State Fair of Texas will be in full swing, running from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18. How epic would it be to arrive at Fair Park at the DART Green Line station, cruise through the fairgrounds, eat a corny dog or a deep-fried something, and make your way into the Cotton Bowl for the best metal show ever?
Iron Maiden, you are revered the world over, but especially in Dallas. We sincerely hope you will consider adding a tour stop here to let us show you that everything is indeed bigger in Texas, including our enthusiasm for your greatness.
