Sir Elton John has said he "simply had to play" Watford's Vicarage Road stadium, as he announced two concerts at the ground next summer.

The club's honourary life president will perform at the Vic on Sunday, July 3 and Monday, July 4 as part of his worldwide Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour which begins next year and will carry on into 2023.

A video shared online by Watford yesterday hinted at the concerts, with drone footage of the stadium accompanied by Sir Elton's song The Bitch is Back, with "2022" shown on the electronic screens inside the ground.

Those gigs have now been confirmed this morning.

In a brief statement on the Hornets website, Sir Elton said his relationship with the club he used to own "meant the world" to him and that he had to include the stadium in his list of shows.

“I simply had to play Vicarage Road a final time as part of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour," he said.

“My relationships with the club, with the fans, the players and the staff over the years have meant the world to me. Through the good times and the bad, Watford has been a huge part of my life.

"I love the club so dearly, and have had some of the best days of my life in those stands - these shows are going to be so incredibly emotional, and to spend them surrounded by my fellow Watford fans will be wonderful. We’ve been on quite the journey together. Come on you ‘Orns!”

 

Hornets’ Chairman & CEO Scott Duxbury said: “I know all of our supporters will be absolutely thrilled to hear this news.

“To have a global icon such as Elton as our Life-President is amazing in itself; the fact he’s coming here to play two concerts is truly incredible.

“Elton has a very close bond with the club’s Board. He still tracks Watford’s every move and follows the matches as closely as he’s always done as a life-long fan. It’s our privilege he still feels so connected to us.”

The singer has played at the Vic on more than one occasion before, including in 1974, 2005 and 2010.

As part of his upcoming tour, Sir Elton has also confirmed dates at other stadiums including Carrow Road, Anfield, the Stadium of Light, Ashton Gate and the Swansea City stadium.

He will also be performing at the O2 in Greenwich for nine separate nights in 2023.

Watford FC Season Ticket holders and regular match ticket buyers have been afforded priority for purchasing tickets for the homecoming shows.

Pre-sale purchases will commence at 10am on Wednesday December 1.