Westlife speak ahead of five-night residency in Dublin and tease a new single out next week

Westlife have announced a five-night residency in Dublin’s 3Arena, celebrating 25 years of touring as a band, next year, from September 22 to 26, 2026.

These shows will bring the group's total number of performances at the 3Arena to an unprecedented 74 shows, a figure unmatched by any other artist in the venue’s history.

“It's hard for us to believe that we're still going after 25 years of touring,” the band’s Kian Egan enthused while speaking at a press event ahead of the show. “This is where it all started for Westlife, here in Ireland, in Dublin. After doing all the big stadiums, doing the 3Arena felt special, especially being able to see everybody and feel like everybody in the room with you, and not this big open space.”

The band, who have never kicked off a tour in their home country, said it was important to them to start their anniversary tour in Dublin “with our Irish fans, with our families, with our friends.”

Westlife Press Conference on October 17th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

They also addressed Mark Feehily's absence from the tour, after he had to step back due to ongoing health issues. Speaking of the bandmate, Shane Fallan called his absence “unfortunate”:

“We love Mark and we can't wait to have back whenever he's ready,” he added, before teasing Feehily’s presence on Westlife’s upcoming studio releases, including a new single, due out next week.

“It’s such a great song,” Fallan said, “and especially in Ireland, everyone’s gonna love it.”

The band continued by talking about their love for 3Arena, saying it is a “special venue for us.”

“That's the one thing about this arena, especially compared to some other arenas, where they’re a bit longer - this one is like a rugby ball on the side, so everyone gets to see it closer. So we want that atmosphere, and to kick off this whole tour with that buzz.”

Asked about his favourite memory with the band, Nicky Byrne brought up An Post’s limited-edition Westlife stamp collection, which was released last month, saying that “it was a huge honor for us.”

Westlife Press Conference on October 17th, 2025. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

When speaking of the secret to Westlife’s longevity, Fallan said: “It's always down to songs – and obviously the fans, but you have to give them something that they love first.”

Byrne added that passion was a driving force for the band, while Egan said it boiled down to “a unity between us.”

Tickets for Westlife's Irish dates go on general sale on Thursday, October 23, at 9am. Artist pre-sale kicks off on Monday, October 20, at 9am.

See Ticketmaster for more.