DEF LEPPARD Live 2026 Summer Tour In Manchester (Show Report/Setlist)
Def Leppard played a Live 2026 tour show in Manchester, England last night with 19 songs performed.
The show took place at the 23,400 capacity Co-op Live arena.
The band's first visit to this city since December 2018.
The first time at this new arena.
New Venue In Manchester
Having played their most played UK arena in Birmingham the band headed up to Manchester for another long awaited return.
Like Birmingham, Manchester had not been played since December 2018 and now they were back and at a new venue.
So new when it opened in May 2024 it wasn't quite ready leading to delays, postponements, some unwanted headlines and angry fans at the opening events.
It did eventually get going and the largest indoor arena in the UK and Europe was ready for business.
And now the Co-op Live arena was ready for Def Leppard's return to this city.
Up to 23,500 capacity in this arena covered by LED panels which displayed the show posters as fans arrived in the sunshine.
The last night of a very short tour, although longer than the even more brief 2023 stadium run.
Joe had said on his most recent Planet Rock show the band were enjoying these shows more than any other tour.
So everything was set up for a triumphant end to the Live 2026 UK tour.
Slang Special Guest Night #4
Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt guested again during 'Slang' after his opening set with Extreme.
Replacing the Union Jack shirt this time with a red/white 'Sympathy For The Devil' one.
Last Night Of The UK Tour
One more show to go but the final night of the UK portion of this tour started again at 9pm.
Sadly, like Birmingham, it was pretty quiet online.
Not quite nothing but not very much showed up as they played before a lot of fans posts arrived just as it ended.
And once again we saw another special guest spot for Nuno Bettencourt during 'Slang'.
Now the new unofficial sixth member of the band(?).
And probably more guest appearances to follow in Paris and for the next tour leg in October/November.
With a capacity of over 23,000 this show may have been the most fans played to in a UK or European arena in their career.
It definitely looked sold out or close to being full.
Joe greeted the crowd before 'Let's Get Rocked' with: - "Welcome to the last night of our UK tour."
And that this new venue was a - "f***ing amazing place".
Joe also recalled the band's first time in the city but was a few months out with the first known show actually happening in June 1979.
And there is fan recording to prove it.
In any case by the end of the show Joe declared the tour had been - "amazing" and the crowd in Manchester were - "f***ing incredible".
So it's safe to say it was a great end to the six show UK run.
And you can see and hear for yourself in the Fan Videos.
Another day of rest now before the short trip over to (mainland) Europe.
A return to a city not played for almost 30 years and one very closely linked to their biggest album and first ever UK Top Ten single.
Paris, France where this tour leg will officially end ahead of the one-off German show later this month.
19 Song Setlist
'Rejoice', 'Personal Jesus' and 'Just Like '73' were all played here for the first time.
Manchester History
The first visit here was in June 1979 st the University when the first known audience recording was made.
Three more shows took place in 1979 with Sammy Hagar (at Free Trade Hall) in September and two with AC/DC in October (at the Apollo Theatre).
A February 1980 show at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre was followed by a show in April at the Apollo Theatre.
Three shows at the Apollo then took place in July 1981, February 1983 and in September 1987.
After nine years they returned for a show at the NYNEX Arena (now Manchester Arena) in November 1996.
Seven years later they were back to play the Apollo again as the Carling Apollo in February 2003.
Three shows followed at Manchester Arena in June 2008, December 2011 (both as Manchester Evening News Arena) and in December 2015.
The last visit took place in December 2018 at Manchester Arena (now AO Arena) on the Hysteria & More tour.
Last nights show was the 16th performance in Manchester.
The next Def Leppard show takes place on 8th July in Paris, France.
Manchester, England 2026 Photos
Screenshots by dltourhistory.
Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.
Def Leppard - Manchester, England 6th July 2026 Setlist
- 01 - Rejoice
Played for the first time in Manchester.
- 02 - Animal
- 03 - Let's Get Rocked
- 04 - Personal Jesus
Played for the first time in Manchester.
- 05 - Bringin' On The Heartbreak
- 06 - Switch 625 (Instrumental)
- 07 - Just Like '73
Played for the first time in Manchester.
- 08 - Rocket (Single Version)
- 09 - Rock On/Rick Savage Bass Intro
- 10 - White Lightning/Phil Collen/Vivian Campbell Guitar Intro
- 11 - Slang/Get Up Offa That Thing (By James Brown/Fame by David Bowie)
Played with special guest Nuno Bettencourt on guest guitar.
- 12 - Promises (With A cappella Vocal Intro)
- 13 - Armageddon It
- 14 - Love Bites
- 15 - Rock of Ages
- 16 - Photograph
- 17 - When Love & Hate Collide
- 18 - Hysteria/Bass Intro/Extended Outro
- 19 - Pour Some Sugar On Me
Show Intro Voice
"Ladies and gentleman."
"Would you please welcome Universal recording artists Def Leppard!."
Joe Elliott - Let's Get Rocked Intro
"Well good evening Manchester!."
"Or wherever you are from to be here tonight."
"Welcome to the last night of our UK tour."
"This is the last night."
"This is the first time ewe've ever played this building, f***ing amazing place, it's f***ing amazing."
"Look at ."
"Look at yourselves, this is a beautiful way for us to finish this British tour."
"Are you ready for this?."
"Are you ready for this?."
"Do ya wanna get rocked?."
Joe Elliott - Rock On Intro
"Thank you! Thank you very much Manchester."
"Manchester, Manchester!."
"We were talking backstage about the first time we ever played Manchester and at least in our minds it was the Free Trade Hall."
"Anybody remember that place?."
"Most of you weren't born when they knocked it down probably."
"But we opened for Sammy Hagar in 1979."
"So September 1979 we first played Manchester."
"And here we are 47 years later and look at this f***ing place."
"Amazing!."
"It's been a hell of a trip."
Joe Elliott - End Of Show Speech
"What an amazing way to finish an amazing tour."
"You guys have been f***ing incredible tonight!."
"Thank you so much."
"Until next time!."
"And there will be a next time!."
Various Photos/Videos
- Def Leppard - Manchester 2026 Show Page
- Def Leppard - Def Leppard Tour 2026
- Related News - 5th July 2026 - Birmingham Show Report
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