Fans were quick to snap up tickets for the stadium shows in Manchester, London, Glasgow and Cardiff. Earlier in the week, U2.com, the group’s website, delivered a hugely successful online presale to its subscribers. Demand was such that Ticket Master’s system suffered meltdown as some 3 million attempts were made to purchase tickets.

U2’s European Tour Promoter, John Giddings said -"I am staggered by the response. The demand is unprecedented."

The Vertigo tour’s currently announced dates start in San Diego on 28th March and continue with over 50 shows throughout North America and Europe, arriving in Lisbon on 14th August.