Alt-rock legends Deftones will play a show in Auckland in 2026, their first New Zealand performance in over a decade.

The Grammy Award-winning Californian metal band will play Auckland’s Spark Arena next May. The group will be supported by Interpol and Ecca Vandal.

General public tickets go on sale at 2pm on Friday November 21, with pre-sales available prior.

Formed by friends in Sacramento in 1988, the band have sold more than 10 million records globally, garnered 10 billion-plus streams and inspired generations. In August, the band released their 10th album, Private Music.

Originally pegged as a nu-metal band, Deftones’ musical style has diversified over their career.

In August, frontman Chino Moreno told the New York Times: “We’ve always tried to stray away from boxing ourselves into any one certain sound.

“We made music for us, based on all the influences we like. And those influences really vary.”

Deftones have one of alternative rock music’s most devoted followings, with the legacy band enjoying a revival of renewed interest, particularly from younger fans, thanks in part to a wave of early 2000s nostalgia.

Each year, the group put on Dia De Los Deftones, a full-day festival of music and culture curated and headlined by the band at San Diego’s Petco Park. It has run for six iterations so far.

Next year’s Aotearoa show will be the first time the band have played in New Zealand since their appearance at the Big Day Out in 2014.

The metal veterans were supposed to perform a show at Auckland’s Trusts Arena in March 2020, but that concert was cancelled.

In June 2025, the band were scheduled to play at Glastonbury Festival for the first time since 1998. However, the group had to cancel their set on the day, due to a band member’s illness.

Deftones New Zealand Tour 2026

With Special Guests Interpol and Ecca Vandal.

When: Wednesday May 13, 2026

Where: Spark Arena, Auckland

Tickets: General public tickets go on sale at 2pm on Friday November 21. Westpac New Zealand Mastercard runs from 1pm Tuesday November 18 until 1pm Thursday November 20. A Live Nation pre-sale begins 1pm Thursday November 20 and runs until 1pm Friday November 21.