Take That will play Old Trafford Cricket Ground next June as part of their “The Circus – Live” stadium tour.

Britain’s favourite boy band will be touring next summer including THREE nights in their home town of Manchester at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Take That Present the Circus Live – Summer 2009, will see Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Mark Owen embark on their biggest tour to date, with eight stadium dates across the UK.

The Circus – Live, promises to be the band’s most visually dramatic, diverse and exhilarating tour yet.

It’s ironic that Take That have chosen Old Trafford Cricket Ground for this tour, as former band member Robbie Williams played three sold-out nights at the same venue in July, 2001.

A statement from the band said: “All of us are really looking forward to getting back on the road again next summer.

"We can think of no better way to thank everyone for their support and loyalty over the past three years.

"This will be the biggest tour we’ve ever done so we’ll be working especially hard over the next few months to make it the best and most exciting Take That tour yet.”

Take That release their new album The Circus on December 1. The first single from the album, Greatest Day, is out on November 24.

The former boyband’s huge recent success comes after they tentatively met up in 2005 to discuss making a TV documentary to mark 10 years since their split.

The documentary was a ratings winner, attracting over seven million viewers, and in November that year the band announced a British tour - their first in a decade.

Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Commercial Director Geoff Durbin said: “Securing such a fantastic act as Take That is a major coup for us and considering their huge popularity and also the Manchester connection, I am sure this will be one of the hottest tickets for a long time.

“No doubt many Take That fans will have enjoyed Robbie Williams’ memorable sell-out shows here in 2001, when he played to 150,000 over three nights, and I am sure his former band-mates will be looking to repeat the success of those shows next June.

"In the last eight years we have played host to many of the top names in the music world – Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, David Bowie, Morrissey, Foo Fighters and Radiohead to name a few, and we are very proud and excited to have been chosen to host Take That’s shows which confirms our reputation as one of the top outdoor concert venues in the UK.”

During September and October, Lancashire installed a new drainage system and outfield, but the club has already ensured that the protection of the new field is a priority during any concerts held in 2009.

Durbin explained; “From a cricket perspective, we will be taking every possible precaution to protect our pitch, with additional protective covering for the whole outfield, and this combined with a new fast-draining outfield is intended to reduce to an absolute minimum any problems in respect of our matches.”

Peter Marron, Lancashire’s Head Groundsman explains further; “To limit any damage that maybe caused during these concerts, the promoter, SJM Concerts, will be covering the entire field with heavy-duty flooring which is used at other major sporting venues that have a similar ground profile including Twickenham and Wembley.”

Tickets go on sale on Friday at 9am.

Saturday, June 6: Sunderland Stadium of Light.

Tuesday, June 16: Cardiff Millennium Stadium.

Saturday, June 20: Glasgow Hampden Park.

Friday, June 26: Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Saturday, June 27: Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Sunday, June 28: Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Friday, July 3: Wembley Stadium.

Saturday, July 4: Wembley Stadium.

Tour credit card hotlines: 0871 2200 260 / 0844 277 9000 / 0871 424 4444.

Tickets priced at: £45 and £55 plus booking fee