TARTAN ON THE TARMAC AS THE TATTOO TAKES OVER BRISBANE:
TATTOO BRINGS ITS HISTORIC 75TH ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE SHOW EXCLUSIVELY TO BRISBANE NEXT WEEK
With just one week to go, Brisbane is entering final preparations as more than 1,000 performers from 13 countries prepare to descend on the city for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, arriving exclusively at Suncorp Stadium from 12–15 February 2026 to celebrate the iconic event’s 75th anniversary milestone. Iinternational arrivals begin from THIS WEEKEND - more than 800 musicians will fly into Brisbane from across the world on Saturday, as well as over 38,000 Tattoo fans from intestate and overseas, with the expected economic impact an estimated $39 million to the state.
This morning Freddie Bailey, Pipe Major at Brisbane Boys College and Alexander Middlemis on Drums, with Highland Dancers, Macey Bennett and Sian Roach, and Alan Lane, Artistic Director of the Tattoo put tartan on the tarmac at the Brisbane international Airport to welcome fellow performers and interstate and international fans.
***Gorgeous stills from the airport here and Brisbane x Tattoo Broll here
In a record-breaking Australian first, the world-renowned Tattoo will present four consecutive nights at Suncorp Stadium, the first time any act has delivered four back-to-back performances at the iconic venue. Demand remains exceptionally high, with a new release of tickets now available, fans are urged to secure theirs before it’s too late.
Representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Tonga the United Kingdom, the United States and more, the cast will create one of the most globally diverse line-ups ever assembled for an international Tattoo production. From this weekend, performers will arrive in Brisbane and undertake four days of intensive, full-scale rehearsals, transforming Suncorp Stadium into a living canvas of music, movement, ceremony, and precision. These final rehearsals bring together military bands, cultural groups, dancers, drummers, and pipers, many performing together for the very first time, to deliver a seamless, emotionally charged production under the stars.
More than 30 bands and cultural groups will perform in The Heroes Who Made Us, including UK Military Bands from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, The Combined Military Bands of the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Police Pipe Band, Western Australia Police Pipe Band, Australia’s Federation Guard, His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard Band and Drill Team, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band, His Majesty’s Armed Forces The Royal Corps of Musicians Tonga, Top Secret Drum Corps, United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band, alongside performers from New Zealand and beyond.
Renowned for stirring music, military precision, cultural displays, and dramatic performances set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a global phenomenon, drawing over 230,000 spectators annually in Scotland and over 100 million more worldwide through international broadcasts. Hundreds of thousands have flocked to previous Australian editions of the Tattoo in Sydney (2005, 2010, 2019) and Melbourne (2016).
For many involved, the Brisbane performances carry deep personal meaning. Among the cast are members of a fourth-generation Scottish family, now preparing to share this emotional milestone together on Australian soil, a living reflection of the heritage, pride, and continuity the Tattoo represents.
Alan Lane, Creative Director of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: "With just one week to go, the energy and excitement is building. Each day sees the arrival of more of the creative team and cast from around the world. Transforming over 1000 cast members into one seamless production in just a few days is the challenge of the Tattoo. A challenge that makes the Tattoo unique in global performance. Performing four consecutive nights at Suncorp Stadium is something no artist has done before. I can’t wait for Australian audiences to see the Show we’ve prepared for them."
Queensland Minister for Tourism, Andrew Powell, said: “Brisbane is gearing up for a full tartan takeover as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo marches into Suncorp Stadium for four spectacular nights. Seeing this much colour and pageantry on our turf is a reminder of why Queensland leads the way in unforgettable events and exactly the kind of moment that brings our Destination 2045 vision to life.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “We’re thrilled to host the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Brisbane for the very first time. This spectacular, world-class event will draw visitors from across the country, deliver a big boost for local businesses, and shine a global spotlight on Brisbane as Australia’s lifestyle capital.”
Brisbane Airport CEO, Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “We’re proud to play our part in bringing The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Brisbane and it’s fair to say we’ve never seen this much tartan on our tarmac. As the city’s gateway, Brisbane Airport plays a vital role in welcoming performers and supporting the logistics that make world-class cultural events possible.”
Returning to Australia for the first time since 2019, the Brisbane season represents one of the Tattoo’s most ambitious international stadium productions to date. Cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound design, and large-scale visual effects will elevate the performance, blending the timeless traditions of the British Armed Forces with modern storytelling and world-class production innovation.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is supported by the Queensland Government, Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Economic Development Agency in partnership with Suncorp Stadium. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo welcomes RACQ as presenting partner for the 2026 exclusive Australian performances.
THE FINAL CAST
MASSED PIPES AND DRUMS
The Pipes and Drums of the Australian Defence Force
The Pipes and Drums of The 1st Battalion Scots Guards
The Pipes and Drums of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Pipes and Drums of 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Pipes and Drums of The Royal Corps of Signals
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums
Auckland Police Pipe Band
Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band
Queensland Police Pipes and Drums
AUSTRALIA’S FEDERATION GUARD
YAGARA MAGANDJIN
Western Australia Police Pipe Band
UK MASSED MILITARY BANDS
The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland & Corps of Drums of His Majesty’s Royal Marines
The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland
The Central Band of the Royal Air Force
The Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra
THE ROYAL EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO PERFORMERS
Tattoo Pipes and Drums
Tattoo Dancers
Tattoo Fiddlers
‘THE COMMANDANT’S OWN’ UNITED STATES MARINE DRUM & BUGLE CORPS
HIS MAJESTY’S ARMED FORCES
THE ROYAL CORPS OF MUSICIANS TONGA
HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF NORWAY’S GUARD BAND AND DRILL TEAM
TOP SECRET DRUM CORPS
JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE CENTRAL BAND
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Contact details:
Kath Rose
0416 291 493
