Rock legends Def Leppard are showing no signs of slowing down. As the British Rock & Roll Hall of Famers blaze through their 2024 U.S. summer tour, frontman Joe Elliott has revealed that the band has “plenty of stuff” written and ready for their next studio album — with a release targeted for 2026.
The news comes during a particularly active period for the veteran rockers. Their current U.S. trek, filled with sold-out arenas and stadiums, is set to wrap on August 31 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. But even after the final chord rings out on this leg, the band’s schedule remains packed.
**More Shows Ahead**
Following the summer tour, Def Leppard has several performances booked for 2025, keeping them firmly in the public eye and on the road. The highlight of their upcoming plans is a recently announced Las Vegas residency, scheduled for February 2026. Fans can expect an immersive experience filled with decades’ worth of hits, deep cuts, and stage production that matches the band’s larger-than-life reputation.
The residency is poised to be a celebration of their storied career, but as Elliott revealed in a new interview with *USA Today*, it will also set the stage for something fresh — a brand-new studio album.
**Inside the New Album Plans**
In his interview, Elliott expressed excitement over the creative process currently underway.
> “We’ve got plenty of stuff — ideas, riffs, melodies — that we’ve been piecing together on the road,” Elliott shared. “Some of it’s already sounding fantastic, and I think fans are going to love where we’re going with this one.”
While details on the musical direction are still under wraps, Elliott hinted that the album will strike a balance between the band’s classic arena-rock sound and a willingness to push boundaries.
> “We’re always mindful of who we are and what our fans expect, but at the same time, we don’t want to make the same album twice. There’s always room to try something a little different.”
**A Legacy Still in Motion**
Def Leppard’s last studio release, *Diamond Star Halos* (2022), was praised for blending their signature melodic hooks with modern production flourishes. The upcoming album will mark their 13th studio effort, a milestone that underscores their rare longevity in the rock world.
The band — Elliott, guitarist Phil Collen, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen, and guitarist Vivian Campbell — has weathered lineup changes, personal tragedies, and shifts in the music industry, yet they continue to fill venues worldwide. Their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 only cemented their status as one of rock’s enduring forces.
**Tour Energy Fuels Creativity**
Elliott noted that much of the inspiration for the new material comes directly from the road. Performing night after night, he explained, provides the band with instant feedback on what works and what connects with audiences.
> “When you’re playing in front of tens of thousands of people, you’re reminded of the power of a great song,” Elliott said. “That energy feeds back into the writing.”
The frontman also hinted that the recording process might be a mix of traditional studio sessions and remote collaboration, a method the band has successfully used in recent years.
**What Fans Can Expect**
If the timeline holds, fans can expect the album to drop sometime in 2026, likely coinciding with their Las Vegas residency. The combination of a new record and a high-profile live run could make the year one of the most exciting in Def Leppard’s recent history.
For now, Elliott is encouraging fans to catch the band on the remaining summer dates. “We’re playing at the top of our game,” he said. “And knowing we’ve got new music on the horizon just makes it even more exciting.”
With the promise of fresh material, more touring, and a Vegas spectacle on the horizon, Def Leppard is proving once again that their rock ’n’ roll story is far from over.