The secret’s out! Download HQ have  confirmed that IRON MAIDEN will headline the Sunday night of Download Festival 2016.

The British rock gods will headline Castle Donington for the sixth time on June 12, 2016, and yep – they’ll be arriving at the festival site in true Maiden style.

Never one to do things by halves, frontman Bruce Dickinson will fly the band, their crew and their entire stage production to Donington on their Ed Force One 747-400 Jumbo Jet. Dickinson is currently in training to fly the megajet, in preparation for when they hit the road (sorry, the skies) next year.

Speaking of their return to Donington, Dickinson has said:

“Download is a very special place for us. Not just because it’s always great to play on home turf but because there’s a truly unique vibe there, it’s the very heart of England and of Metal, so a fitting place for Iron Maiden! The crowd is always fiercely passionate and the whole band feeds off that famous Donington energy. We aim to deliver a really memorable show for our fans to close the 2016 Festival. Although this is our sixth time headlining at Castle Donington, it’s the first time we’ve been able to land Ed Force One right on the doorstep of the Festival site!

“We haven’t decided on the set list as yet and won’t until we start rehearsing but we really look forward to playing a number of new songs live, especially as the recording was so much live. However, as it’s been a while since we saw you all, I am sure we will include plenty of older fan favourites too. I think the fans will be delighted by what we have in mind. We are also in the middle of creating the new show and rest assured we are working hard to bring you all something spectacular, something with a lot of heart !!! You certainly deserve it for your patience.”

Meanwhile, Download head honcho Andy Copping has this to add about the booking:

“Having IRON MAIDEN back for their only show in the UK next year and their first UK show since Bruce’s well reported illness, makes it a truly special occasion. The band have a long history and association with Donington/Download and having them headline for us again is a real honour.”

So… that’s one headliner out of the way. Who’s in the mood for another? Same time tomorrow sound good? Yeah, let’s do that.

In the meantime, here’s a reminder of what happened the last time Maiden landed at Download….

#DL2015 takes place at Donington Park across the weekend of June 10 – 12, 2016. Early Bird tickets are all sold out, but general sale tickets will be available this Friday from 9am.