SUPERSTAR Rod Stewart is to play a huge open-air concert in Cumbria.

The legendary musician today announced a gig at Carlisle United’s Brunton Park stadium next summer.

He will play to thousands as the ground is turned into an all-seated concert venue for the show on June 21.

It will be the final night of an eight-date UK tour that will see the Maggie May singer play at seven other stadiums.

The gig will be the first major concert to be held at Brunton Park since Sir Elton John played to a sell-out 20,000-strong crowd in 2007. Tickets go on general sale on Friday.

Bringing massive football fan Stewart to Carlisle is a major coup for Blues executives, with the night set to provide another huge entertainment pay day for the city.

Phil King, United’s sales and marketing director, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Rod Stewart. This is fantastic news for the football club, the whole of Carlisle and surrounding area.

“Rod takes a superb following wherever he goes. We have no doubt this is going to be a fantastic event and we look forward to welcoming thousands of music fans to Brunton Park.”

The tour dates have been announced just two days before the release of Stewart’s new studio album, Another Country.

His visit to Carlisle will undoubtedly see him put his hugely distinctive voice to great use to perform some of his upcoming hits, as well as those from his massive back catalogue – from classics such as Hot Legs and Sailing , to his hugely successful Great American Songbook series.

In a career spanning more than five decades, the former Faces frontman has notched-up more than 200 million album and single sales worldwide.

The tour, which stretches from Southampton to Inverness, is being presented by Cuffe and Taylor.

Its director, Peter Taylor, said: “The venues give tens of thousands of people the opportunity to see one of the best live acts in the world.

“It is great that all but two of the venues are new to Rod Stewart and we are confident there will be a lot of excitement as summer approaches.”

Tickets, priced £55, £75 and £95, along with VIP packages, go on sale at 9am on Friday at www.ticketline.co.uk. Pre-sale and fan club tickets are available from 9am Wednesday.

Although he’s never played a gig at Brunton Park before, Stewart has taken to Carlisle’s pitch. He was part of an all-star line-up at a charity game there in 1992.

Stewart is the latest in a string of big names to perform in Carlisle.

Sir Tom Jones packed out Bitts Park for a huge gig in July, while Carlisle Racecourse has played host to acts including the Kaiser Chiefs, Jessie J and Madness in recent years.