Judas Priest Locks In First Confirmed 2027 US Tour Date at Boardwalk Rock

Judas Priest has confirmed its first United States concert of 2027, a performance at the Boardwalk Rock festival in Ocean City, Maryland, on Sunday, May 16, 2027. The announcement arrives as the British heavy metal band maps out a touring schedule following bassist Ian Hill’s retirement from live performance.

• Boardwalk Rock runs Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 16, 2027, in Ocean City, Maryland, and is produced by C3 Presents.
• The festival returns after the 2026 edition was scrapped because of severe weather; the event first launched in 2025.
• A ticket presale opens Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 10 a.m. ET, with the general onsale following at 11 a.m. ET.
• Judas Priest has separately been added to Release Festival in Markopoulo Mesogeas, near Athens, Greece, on July 14, 2027, with tickets for that show going on sale Friday, October 23, 2026.

Who Else Is Playing Boardwalk Rock 2027?

Judas Priest’s Sunday, May 16 slot sits on a bill topped by Iron Maiden, alongside Alice in Chains, Down, Gwar, The Pretty Reckless, Dirty Honey, Mac Sabbath, Sleeping With Sirens, The Warning, Loathe, The Hu and Apocalyptica, plus The Flys.

The weekend’s other two days are led by Korn on Friday, May 14, and Bad Omens on Saturday, May 15. The broader three-day roster includes Breaking Benjamin, Good Charlotte, Marilyn Manson, The Prodigy, Cypress Hill, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Tesla and Buckcherry.

Judas Priest’s 2027 Tour Dates

• May 16: Ocean City, Maryland, Boardwalk Rock
• June 23: Oslo, Norway, Tons of Rock
• June 24: Copenhagen, Denmark, Copenhell Festival
• July 2 to 4: Helsinki, Finland, Tuska Festival
• July 11: Vizovice, Czechia, Masters of Rock
• July 14: Markopoulo Mesogeas, Athens, Greece, Release Festival

Why Judas Priest Is Touring Without Ian Hill

These 2027 dates will be the band’s first full run of touring since Ian Hill announced his retirement from the stage in a statement issued October 9, 2026. Hill pointed to advanced arthritis and a torn shoulder tendon as key reasons behind the decision.

Speaking with Metal Pilgrim, Hill described how shoulder and thumb pain had steadily worsened across his last several tours with the band. “The last couple of tours have been a bit of a struggle, because this trouble is basically my shoulder and my thumb,” he said. “I’ve been struggling with that for the past couple of tours or so. And it doesn’t go away, unfortunately, and it’s one of those things that just gets worse as time goes by. And I almost retired at the end of the last tour.”

Uriah Heep bassist Davey Rimmer has stepped in to replace Hill going forward. Rimmer had already filled in for Hill once before, when Hill was forced to sit out a concert, the first show he had missed in 55 years with Judas Priest, due to injury.

Despite stepping away from touring, Hill confirmed he has been able to record his bass parts for Judas Priest’s forthcoming new album. “I’ve managed to put bass down to the new album coming out next year. There’s a bit more work to do,” he told Metal Pilgrim. “[But if] I hold the bass in the right position. I’ll be able to complete it. So, at least I’ll be on the record, if nothing else.”

More Info

• Judas Priest Announce First 2027 U.S. Appearance | Ultimate Classic Rock
• Boardwalk Rock 2027 Lineup Topped By Iron Maiden, Korn, Bad Omens May 14-16 In Ocean City, MD | Pollstar News
• 2027 Boardwalk Rock Fest Lineup Led by Iron Maiden, Korn, and Bad Omens | Consequence
• Boardwalk Rock Fest 2027 Features Iron Maiden, Korn + Bad Omens | Loudwire