During the first leg of the tour the band played shows in 36 countries across six continents, which included their debut performances in El Salvador, Lithuania and China.

[3][4] The tour was officially announced with a press release on 25 August, which included a general outline of the band's itinerary with specific dates to be confirmed.

[5] The band's dates in China, El Salvador and Lithuania marked their debut visits to those countries,[6] while their South African shows were their first with Dickinson as vocalist (having previously toured there in 1995).

[14] On 12 January 2016, the band announced their debut performances in China in Beijing and Shanghai,[15] followed by the confirmation of their return to Japan, after an eight-year absence, with two nights in Tokyo.

[16] The band's debut in El Salvador was reportedly the largest event in the history of the country, with an attendance of 25,000, and the group received a special thanks from the Ministry of Tourism.

[5] According to Dickinson, a qualified pilot who captained the aeroplane, the larger 747-400 meant that the band were able to travel at faster speeds and for longer periods and were able to carry their equipment without the plane having to undertake extensive modifications, as they had to do with the 757s.

[61] In addition to their vocalist, the other band members received specific praise, with Tulsa World referring to bassist Steve Harris' "sophisticated skills",[61] while SouthFlorida.com commented that "guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers brought all the necessary firepower to the night.

[61] Revolver deemed the stage show "as impressive as they've ever had with a jungle vibe complete with hanging ropes from the ceiling and fiery tiki torches lit in the background",[58] while The BrooklynVegan stated that it was a "staggering and immersive set design with gorgeous artistry and other gloomy bells and whistles".

[59] New Times Broward-Palm Beach highlighted appearances from the band's mascot, Eddie, as well as a horned devil during "The Number of the Beast", as "incredible to see and impressive pieces of this tour's set",[56] while Las Vegas Weekly argued that "the show successfully walked the line between darkness and cheesiness, just as Maiden has been doing for the past four decades.

[69] Speaking about the setlist prior to the tour, guitarist Janick Gers stated that the band will play "six or seven" tracks from The Book of Souls and "pepper it with older songs so everybody gets to enjoy the gig."

Gers also suggested that "Hallowed Be Thy Name" (from The Number of the Beast, 1982) would return to the show, following its absence during the Maiden England World Tour 2012–14, and that "The Trooper" (from Piece of Mind, 1983) would also be performed.