Westlife Announce The Residency: A 25th Anniversary Celebration
Westlife have confirmed a celebratory run of concerts to mark their 25th anniversary, bringing their The Residency tour to Dublin and Belfast next autumn. The five-night Dublin residency will light up the 3Arena from Tuesday, 22 September to Saturday, 26 September 2026, followed by three Belfast shows at the SSE Arena on 27, 28 and 29 October, 2026. The announcement arrives with the band describing the tour as a heartfelt thank you to the fans who have supported them over more than two decades.
What to Expect: A Night of Greatest Hits and Career Highlights
As they approach a quarter-century in the spotlight, Westlife promise a setlist that blends their biggest stadium anthems with beloved staples from across their career. Fans can look forward to timeless favourites such as Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings, and You Raise Me Up, alongside other top hits that have defined the group since their 1998 debut. In a post on Instagram, the band reaffirmed that Dublin and Belfast would be the “up first” stops in a world tour designed to celebrate 25 years of music, live performances, and connection with fans worldwide.
Why These Cities, Why These Dates?
Lead members Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan say there’s no better feeling than returning to their home base in Dublin. “This city has been at the heart of our story from the very beginning, and to kick off our 25th anniversary celebrations with five nights at the 3Arena feels incredibly special,” the trio shared. The decision to kick off in Dublin underscores the band’s deep ties to Ireland, where they have claimed 16 Irish No. 1 singles and helped define a generation of pop music in the country. The Belfast dates extend the celebration to another major venue on UK and Ireland stages, ensuring fans across the region can join in the festivities.
A History of Live Success
Since reuniting in 2019, Westlife has sustained a remarkable live presence, performing over 200 shows across 30 countries and selling more than 6 million concert tickets. They have headlined at iconic Irish venues—Croke Park Stadium, Aviva Stadium, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Markievicz Park—while continuing to grow their global fanbase. The 3Arena residency will push their total performances at that venue to 74, a figure unmatched by any other artist in the venue’s history. The band’s long-running appeal is built on harmonies, crowd-pleasing arrangements and a stage craft that keeps fans young at heart even after two and a half decades.
Ticket Information and How to Attend
Tickets for the Dublin and Belfast gigs go on sale Thursday, 23 October at 9am via Ticketmaster. With five consecutive shows in Dublin and three in Belfast, fans have a strong chance of catching an intimate late-September Dublin evening before a final October weekend in Northern Ireland’s capital. The residency format promises high-energy performances, with Westlife promising “the biggest ever songs” delivered in an arena-friendly setting that balances nostalgia with contemporary pop production.
What This Means for Westlife’s Legacy
The Residency marks more than a tour; it is a milestone that reinforces Westlife’s status as one of the most enduring boy bands in modern music. Their 16 Irish No. 1s and 14 UK No. 1s, along with over 55 million records sold, underscore a career built on consistent fan engagement and memorable melodies. As they celebrate 25 years, Westlife continues to redefine what it means to connect with audiences through live performance, while delivering a setlist that honors their earliest hits and current repertoire alike.
