Four voices, one Friday night
Blue have been at it for more than two decades. Antony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe came together in London in 2000, and they had hits straight away with “All Rise”, “One Love”, “If You Come Back” and “Breathe Easy”. In 2011 they sang for the United Kingdom at Eurovision with “I Can”.
The Istanbul date is Friday, October 30, 2026. Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) falls the evening before, on Thursday, October 29. That national holiday fills the city with flags and fireworks, and plenty of residents turn it into a long weekend. Expect a festive mood on the streets and heavier traffic than a normal Friday.
Inside Volkswagen Arena
The arena belongs to the Uniq Istanbul complex in Maslak, in the Sarıyer district. This is the business quarter north of Levent, all glass office towers. It is an indoor hall made for concerts, so the sound and sightlines suit a vocal group better than a stadium would.
- Layout: a flat main floor in front of the stage, with tiered seating around it
- Same complex: restaurants and cafés, where many fans eat before the show
- Setting: a covered venue, so October weather has no bearing on the gig
The organiser publishes seating categories and ticket links on its official site. The arena’s own event page lists the show as well.
Reaching Maslak and leaving again
Your best route is the M2 metro, the green line under the European side between Yenikapı and Hacıosman. It stops at Taksim, Şişhane and Levent. Concertgoers mostly get off at İTÜ–Ayazağa and walk the short stretch to Uniq. From Taksim the ride takes about 20 minutes.
A taxi on Büyükdere Caddesi on a holiday-weekend Friday evening can crawl, so the metro is usually quicker. Visitors tend to stay in one of three areas:
- Şişli or Levent: close by on the same metro line
- Taksim and Beyoğlu: more choice for food and nightlife
- The old city (Sultanahmet): connect via the M2 at Vezneciler or Yenikapı
Getting through the doors the Istanbul way
Security at Turkish venues is thorough. Entrances have airport-style scanners and bag checks. Large bags, professional cameras and outside drinks are usually turned away, and most fans bring only a small bag.
- Transport card: an Istanbulkart works on the metro, trams and ferries. You can buy and top it up at machines in the stations.
- Payment: cards and contactless payments are taken almost everywhere at the arena and in Uniq’s restaurants.
- After the show: taxis queue on the main road, and many locals book one through the BiTaksi app rather than flag one down.
- Language: staff in Maslak generally speak some English. “Giriş” means entrance and “çıkış” means exit, which helps with the signs.
Turkish crowds sing along loudly, and the 2000s hits get the biggest reaction. Ticket holders often come about an hour before the doors open. That leaves time for the security line and a meal at Uniq beforehand.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is Blue playing in Istanbul?
Blue plays on Friday, October 30, 2026, at Volkswagen Arena. The arena is part of the Uniq Istanbul complex in Maslak, Sarıyer, on the European side.
How do I get to Volkswagen Arena by public transport?
Take the M2 metro (the green line) to İTÜ–Ayazağa, then walk the short distance to Uniq Istanbul. The ride from Taksim takes about 20 minutes. An Istanbulkart covers the fare.
Where are tickets sold?
The organiser publishes ticket links and seating categories on its official site. The arena's event page lists the show too. Prices are posted there, not here.
Does the Republic Day holiday affect the concert?
Republic Day falls on Thursday, October 29, the day before the show. Many residents take a long weekend, so traffic and hotel demand are usually higher, and the metro is often faster than a taxi.
What can I bring inside?
Turkish venues use airport-style scanners and bag checks. Large bags, professional cameras and outside drinks are commonly refused, so fans usually come with a small bag only.
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