Barack Obama has announced a three-date UK arena tour for later this year – find all the details below.
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The 44th President of the United States will bring An Evening with President Barack Obama to Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester on consecutive nights this October.
The live events have been billed as an opportunity to hear Obama discuss “what comes next – for America, and for all of us” as the country marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
He will appear at The O2 Belfast on October 13, before heading to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro the following night and concluding the run at Manchester’s Co-op Live on October 15.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday (July 31), following pre-sales beginning at 10am on Wednesday (July 29). Find tickets here.
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The full list of dates is:
OCTOBER 2026
13 – Belfast, The O2
14 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
15 – Manchester, Co-op Live
Speaking about the tour, Obama has said: “True democracy is a project that’s much bigger than any one of us. It’s bigger than any one person, any one president, and any one government. It’s a job for all of us.”
Kilimanjaro CEO Stuart Galbraith and Fane Group CEO Alex Fane added: “We are incredibly honoured to bring President Obama to the UK and Ireland for these truly special events. His message of unity and progress resonates deeply, and we anticipate an evening that will inspire and empower all who attend.”
The dates follow two similar shows last September, when Obama appeared at London’s O2 Arena in conversation with historian David Olusoga and at Dublin’s 3Arena alongside journalist Fintan O’Toole.
Obama served two terms as US President from 2009 until 2017, becoming the first Black person elected to the office. Since leaving the White House, he has worked through the Obama Foundation to support emerging leaders and overseen the creation of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side.
The Center opened to the public last month after a grand opening ceremony featuring performances from Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and The Edge, Eddie Vedder, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera and others.
Barack and Michelle Obama also recently served as producers on Larry David’s HBO limited series Life, Larry And The Pursuit Of Unhappiness: An Almost History Of America, which was created to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary.
In a two-star review, NME described the series as having “flashes of genius”, but said its inspired moments were ultimately “spread far too thin”.
Obama also continued his annual cultural tradition at the end of last year by sharing his favourite music, films and books of 2025.
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