Peter Kay, one of the UK’s most popular comedians, recently announced new dates for his stand-up comedy tour in 2023. Kay had previously scheduled tour dates in 2020 which were postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With pandemic restrictions easing in the UK, Kay announced in November 2022 that he would finally be returning to the stage for a much-anticipated comeback tour.
What are the new Peter Kay tour dates?
Kay announced that his new tour, titled “Peter Kay’s Better Late Than Never Tour”, would begin in December 2023. He scheduled over 100 dates across the UK and Ireland, starting on December 2, 2023 in Manchester and running through to August 2024. Some of the major cities and dates on Peter Kay’s new tour schedule include:
| Manchester | December 2-23, 2023 |
| Liverpool | January 6-26, 2024 |
| London | February 15-March 9, 2024 |
| Birmingham | April 3-20, 2024 |
| Leeds | May 12-16, 2024 |
| Newcastle | June 1-10, 2024 |
| Sheffield | July 5-29, 2024 |
| Belfast | August 1-24, 2024 |
The full list of dates and venues can be found on Peter Kay’s official website. The extensive tour aims to visit arenas across the UK and Ireland so fans in most major cities should have an opportunity to purchase tickets.
When do Peter Kay tickets go on sale?
Tickets for Peter Kay’s new tour will go on sale on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10am GMT. Kay announced the ticket on-sale date soon after revealing the new tour dates in November.
There are a few presales happening before the general ticket sale on November 12:
- O2 Priority Presale – November 10 at 10am
- Three+ Presale – November 11 at 10am
To access these presales, customers need to be signed up to priority programs through O2 or Three mobile networks. This gives a small portion of fans early access to tickets before the main sale opens.
Where to buy Peter Kay tour tickets
Tickets will be available through major ticket retailers like Ticketmaster, SeeTickets, AXS, Ticketline, and Gigsandtours. There are no tickets being sold directly through Peter Kay’s website.
Given Kay’s huge popularity, demand is expected to be extremely high when tickets go on sale. Some venues may sell out in minutes, so fans will need to act fast to secure tickets.
What is the ticket price for Peter Kay’s new tour?
Ticket prices have not yet been officially announced for Peter Kay’s 2023-24 tour. However, looking at ticket costs for his previous tours gives an idea of what to expect:
- Peter Kay’s Dance For Life (2016) – £30-£50
- Peter Kay Live Arena Tour (2010) – £35-£45
Based on these past tours, ticket prices could range from £30-£50 for Peter Kay’s new dates. This would be in line with ticketing for other major stand-up comedy tours. Official pricing will likely be announced in the next few weeks leading up to the on-sale date.
Is there a ticket limit for Peter Kay’s tour?
Yes, there will be ticket limits in place when the 2023-24 tour goes on sale:
- Initially, there will be an 8 ticket limit per person for arena shows.
- This will be reduced to 4 tickets per person if shows start selling out quickly.
These limits are intended to prevent ticket scalping and give more of a chance for genuine fans to get seats. The limits may vary between different venues, so customers should check when booking.
Why was Peter Kay’s tour postponed multiple times?
Peter Kay originally scheduled his massive arena tour in 2018, set to begin in 2019 and run through 2020. However, in December 2017, Kay abruptly cancelled the entire tour due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.
He never disclosed further details about the cancellation, which left thousands of fans disappointed. Kay largely withdrew from public life between 2018-2021, making only occasional appearances.
In July 2022, Kay announced new dates for the tour in late 2022, only to postpone them again weeks later. He cited production issues as the reason for the latest postponement, as arenas struggled to re-staff and ramp back up to full capacity after the pandemic shutdowns.
Now, with his new dates set for 2023-2024, fans are hoping Kay’s “Better Late Than Never” tour will finally go ahead as planned this time.
What material will Peter Kay’s new tour feature?
Kay has not revealed specifics about the content of the new tour. However, looking at his previous stand-up shows provides some clues.
His comedy often focuses on nostalgia, musical parody, and observations about everyday British life and culture. Some of his popular bits have poked fun at things like service stations, old TV ads, school dinners, and awkward conversations.
Kay has built up several beloved characters over his career whom he features routinely in his shows. These include garage owner Dougie, middle-aged woman Geraldine McQueen, and talent show contestant Susan Campey. Fans can expect to see Kay portray many of these familiar personae.
Given the tong gap between tours, Kay will likely feature some new material reflecting on his time away from the public eye. But the show will still include classic routines that have made him one of the nation’s favourite comedians for over 20 years.
Will there be any support acts on Peter Kay’s tour?
Most of Peter Kay’s previous arena tours have not featured any support acts or opening comedians. His shows typically run 2-3 hours long containing all original material.
However, a few of his past tours had special guest performers join him. His 2010 arena tour included a DJ set by Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights co-star Paddy McGuinness to kick off the show.
For his forthcoming tour, Kay has not announced any support acts yet. There is a chance he may have a comedian like McGuinness or another Phoenix Nights actor make an appearance. But Kay seems most likely to perform his marathon sets solo as in the past.
How quickly will Peter Kay tickets sell out?
Peter Kay’s huge popularity and long absence from touring means demand for tickets is likely to be through the roof. Most dates could sell out extremely fast, possibly within minutes once general sales open.
His previous UK arena tour from 2010 broke records, selling over 1 million tickets in the initial on-sale. That tour went on to gross over £50 million by the end of its run.
Interest is even higher this time given how long fans have waited to see Kay back on stage. Touts and resale sites may try to flip tickets at inflated prices due to massive demand.
Fans will improve their chances by trying for presale tickets or buying immediately at 10am on general sale opening. Still, the unprecedented demand means securing tickets will be difficult without quick action.
What are fans saying about Peter Kay’s new tour dates?
The reaction from fans to Peter Kay’s long-awaited live comeback has been enormous excitement and anticipation. Across social media, supporters have expressed delight and relief to finally see definitive tour dates after years of waiting.
Many fans say Kay’s relatable observational comedy makes him one of the best stand-up acts around. His quotable one-liners and slapstick physical humor have built him a loyal, multi-generational fanbase.
Some sample reactions to Kay’s announced 2023-24 tour dates:
“About time, been too long without my Peter Kay fix!”
“He’s back! Can’t wait, Phoenix Nights forever!”
“My mum’s laughed at his old Live at the Bolton Albert Hall DVD about 28 times, she’ll be so happy!”
The public outpouring of affection proves Kay’s enduring appeal. For many, his Northern, working-class charm epitomizes classic British comedy.
Concerns over ticket touts
Along with their excitement, some fans have expressed concern over the frenzied demand making tickets hard to get hold of. Many worry touts utilizing ticket bots will snap up huge amounts of tickets to sell on at extortionate resale prices.
There are calls for strict ticket limits and strong anti-tout measures to give ordinary fans a fair shot at accessing the in-demand dates.
But the vast interest suggests that despite best efforts, ticket resales will still likely occur given the tour’s historic popularity.
How has Peter Kay prepared for his live return?
Peter Kay has reportedly spent the past year intensely preparing for his grand return to touring. The extended break from live performance meant he wanted to ensure he was in peak shape before hitting the road again.
According to sources, Kay implemented an intensive health and fitness regime. He began working with a personal trainer, taking up running and spin classes to get match fit physically.
Close friends say Kay is now in the best shape of his life ahead of the 100+ date marathon tour. Beyond his physical preparations, he has been diligently working on new material for his first major tour in over a decade.
Kay also recently held a special low-key comedy jam show in Manchester. He wanted to shake off some cobwebs by testing out new jokes and routines in front of a small audience. All signs point to Kay being fired up and raring to go for his big comeback.
Accessibility measures
Along with gearing up for the performances themselves, Kay has reportedly implemented measures to make his new tour more accessible.
Some of the initiatives expected include:
- Audio description services for blind and low vision patrons
- BSL interpreters at certain shows for deaf/hard of hearing patrons
- Free carer tickets for disabled access guests
Kay has worked on improving inclusivity and accessibility at his shows since his early days of touring. His upcoming dates aim to continue enhancing the experience for those with disabilities.
Impact of Peter Kay’s return to stand-up comedy
Within British culture, Peter Kay’s influence on comedy cannot be overstated. His observational humor and nostalgia-tinged northern charm have resonated with diverse audiences for over 20 years.
His stand-up success has seen him crowned one of the UK’s best-loved entertainers with multiple BAFTA wins and record-breaking tours. In polls, Kay consistently ranks near or at the top of favorite comedians lists.
Beyond his solo work, Kay has created massively popular sitcoms like Phoenix Nights, Max & Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, and Car Share. These shows further cemented his status as a leading figure in British comedy.
After taking time off from live performance, Kay’s hotly anticipated 2023-24 tour has become one of the most in-demand events in UK entertainment history.
Experts predict the tour will break even more records in terms of ticket sales, gross revenue, and attendance figures.
For audiences, Kay’s everyman persona helps create a sense of community at his shows according to critics. Fans connect with his nostalgic performing style that evokes traditional variety shows.
Indeed, Peter Kay’s return to the stage in 2023 stands to be a cultural phenomenon. It will likely reaffirm his position as one of Britain’s most treasured entertainers for years to come.
Conclusion
Peter Kay’s newly announced 2023-2024 arena tour has already become one of the hottest tickets in years. The comedian’s first live dates since 2010 are set to sell out in record time as fans scramble to see his long-awaited return.
Given Kay’s inimitable comedic talents and the substantial pent-up demand after years away, his next tour seems poised to cement his reputation as a true English national treasure. Audiences can expect his signature observational comedy and musical parodies focused on everyday British life when he finally makes his grand return to the stage.
