The world-famous singer and pianist will perform in the town for the first time in his 46-year recording career by playing a special two-hour show of his greatest hits next July. The 60-year-old musician's Doncaster date will be one of just a handful of outdoor shows that he will perform in 2008.

Sir Elton's signature is being hailed as a massive coup by the operators of the new £32m stadium and should allow the Stadium Management Company (SMC) to banish memories of the ill-fated concerts by Bryan Adams and Ronan Keating this July which failed to sell many tickets.

Stadium bosses predict that tickets for the show will be snapped up quickly for the event when they go on sale on Monday and believe the show will help to raise the profile of the facility as a credible venue for hosting outdoor concerts.

Sir Elton, who was knighted in 1998 has had seven UK number one singles and still holds the record for the biggest selling single of all time with his re-worded 1997 tribute to Princess Diana `Candle in the Wind'.
His Keepmoat show is believed to be his only musical appearance in Yorkshire next year.

Jeremy Milnes, commercial director of the Keepmoat Stadium said: "This is a massive coup for the stadium and absolutely fantastic news for not only Doncaster but the whole region.

"Sir Elton is quite simply one of the biggest stars in the world and I'm sure that it will be an outstanding night.

"We are proud of the part the stadium is playing in raising Doncaster's profile on the national stage and this concert should boost our standing even higher.

"I'm sure all the tickets will be snapped-up quickly and that on the 12th of July we will be welcoming people from all over the country, and even beyond, to this fantastic facility."

Gavin Baldwin, interim chief executive of the Keepmoat Stadium, said: "This will be one of the biggest music events ever to be staged in Doncaster and will be a great boost to the town, firmly placing the Keepmoat Stadium on promoter's radars in the UK for outdoor concerts."
Tickets for the event, to be held on Saturday July 12, go on sale on Monday at 9am priced at £60.00 and £40.00 while a limited number of premium tickets will also be available.

Tickets can be booked on a 24 hour hotline on 0844 847 1731 or at www.ticketmaster.co.uk.