Take That Etihad Stadium Manchester 2026: Stage Times

Take That return to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester this weekend for three consecutive nights of The Circus Live UK and Ireland 2026 Tour. But rather than pushing unfamiliar new material, the band has deployed a brilliant piece of PR machinery: rebooting their highest-grossing 2009 tour to guarantee stadium sellouts on pure nostalgia.  

I had the tour schedule open by lunchtime, and the strategy here is flawless. With their tenth studio album due late in 2026, promoters SJM Concerts have not waited for the release cycle. They have resurrected a 17-year-old stage production that sold a million tickets the first time around. It is a masterclass in monetising a legacy act across the UK and Ireland without relying on a new hit single.  

The Confirmed Stage Times

For anyone heading to the Etihad Stadium on Friday 19 June, Saturday 20 June, or Sunday 21 June 2026, the schedule is firmly locked. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and you will want to be in your seat early because the support lineup is unusually heavy.

Belinda Carlisle opens the evening at 6:30 PM, running through a tight seven-song set that includes "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" and "Leave a Light On". Following her at 7:20 PM, Irish pop-rockers The Script take over for a nine-song set featuring "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" and "Hall of Fame".  

Take That themselves are scheduled to take the stage at exactly 8:30 PM. The show runs for two hours, with an expected curfew of 10:30 PM.

The Setlist and Production

Because this is a reboot of The Circus Live, the setlist is leaning heavily into the 2009 stadium structure. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are delivering the major hits front and centre. You can expect "Greatest Day", "Could It Be Magic", "Pray", "Back for Good", and "The Circus" to form the backbone of the evening.  

If you are hoping for last-minute tickets, official resale platforms like Tixel and AXS are currently showing availability, though general admission standing originally priced at £71 is floating around £150 on the secondary market. A further Manchester homecoming gig is confirmed for 1 July 2026, before the tour eventually crosses over to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.  

Quick Facts

• Who is involved: Take That (Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald), supported by Belinda Carlisle and The Script.  

• What happened: The Circus Live UK and Ireland 2026 Tour.

• When: 19, 20, and 21 June 2026, plus an additional date on 1 July 2026.  

• Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester.  

• Status: Confirmed and currently underway.

FAQ

What time are Take That on stage at the Etihad Stadium tonight?

Take That are scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 PM at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. The concert will conclude at approximately 10:30 PM.

Who is the support act for Take That 2026?

The support acts for the UK leg of The Circus Live tour are American singer Belinda Carlisle and Irish band The Script. Belinda Carlisle performs at 6:30 PM, followed by The Script at 7:20 PM. OneRepublic will take over support duties for the Irish dates.  

What is the Take That setlist for 2026?

The 2026 setlist is a direct revival of their 2009 Circus tour. It features their biggest hits including "Greatest Day", "A Million Love Songs", "Back for Good", and "Pray", bypassing the need to promote their upcoming late-2026 album.

When are Take That playing in Ireland?

Take That will conclude The Circus Live 2026 tour with dates at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this July. The Irish dates operate on a slightly different support lineup, featuring OneRepublic.