THE WIGGLES SET FOR TRIUMPHANT RETURN:
CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT POWERHOUSE SIGNS GLOBAL DEAL WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP – PLUS NEW WORLD TOUR
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
NEW YORK, NY – February 17, 2026 – The world’s most successful children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles, today announced a landmark strategic global agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, marking an exciting new chapter in the group’s 35-year history.
Through this collaboration, Universal Music Australia (UMA) will take the lead in amplifying The Wiggles’ reach to more families around the world, alongside UMG’s global network of labels and divisions providing their expertise across streaming, digital and physical distribution, promotion and marketing to help scale The Wiggles’ global presence through new recording projects, expanded digital content and integrated campaigns. In the U.S., The Wiggles will be released by Republic Records: Kids & Family.
The Wiggles’ global success has long been anchored by a deep and meaningful connection with audiences in the United States. In the early 2000s, the group experienced rapid international growth through television, home video and touring across the US, UK, New Zealand and Hong Kong, with their videos gaining major traction on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney. In 2001, The Wiggles toured the US during the weeks following September 11, forging a particularly strong bond with American families.
Their momentum continued with the release of ‘Wiggly Safari’ in 2002, featuring guest appearances from Steve Irwin and his family including Terri and Bindi and reached a historic peak in 2003 when The Wiggles performed 12 consecutive sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City – an extraordinary feat for any musical act.
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
That same year, on November 1, New York City officially declared ‘Wiggles Day’ in honour of their global contribution to children’s entertainment.
“The Wiggles have built an extraordinary creative legacy in children’s entertainment. We see strong potential to continue growing The Wiggles brand globally, while staying true to what has also made them so beloved for more than 35 years. We’re thrilled to welcome them into the Universal Music family,” added Andrew Kronfeld, Executive Vice President, International and Label and Artist Ventures, Universal Music Group.
Further commenting on the partnership, Universal Music Australia and New Zealand President and CEO, Sean Warner added, “The Wiggles are a true cultural phenomenon and one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring success stories. Their music has soundtracked childhoods for generations and continues to resonate across audiences worldwide. We’re proud to be shaping the next chapter of their international journey as a trusted and much-loved Australian group.”
Republic Records: Kids & Family Senior Vice President, Bree Bowles shared, “The Wiggles are a global cultural force whose music has shaped childhoods across generations. Their ability to connect with families around the world and their impact on children’s entertainment is unmatched. We are thrilled to be working with The Wiggles as we look to amplify their magic, honor their legacy, and help write the next extraordinary chapter of their story.”
The Wiggles’ founder and original Blue Wiggle, Anthony Field, said, “The Wiggles’ mission has been about creating fun, educational and enriching music for children and families. What makes this new partnership so special is the opportunity to take everything we do—music, storytelling, live performance—and amplify it on a truly global scale. Universal Music understands both the legacy and the future of The Wiggles, and together we’re looking forward to reaching families everywhere across America and around the world in new and meaningful ways.”
Kate Chiodo, CEO, The Wiggles adds, “The Wiggles business has enjoyed tremendous growth over the past few years, and we are looking forward to continuing this trajectory and scaling our activity internationally with our friends at Universal Music.”
Since forming in 1991, the colorful combo has garnered over 30 million album and DVD sales, 4 billion global music streams, 6 billion YouTube views and has recently surpassed 10 million YouTube subscribers. In recognition of the group’s ongoing popularity, The Wiggles have also been crowned Australia’s #1 Local Artist on Spotify for the past three years (2025, 2024, 2023).
This new partnership with Universal Music Group marks an exciting new chapter for The Wiggles, building on a successful and long-standing relationship with ABC Music, which has served as the group’s record label since 1991. During this time, The Wiggles earned 18 ARIA Awards, including induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
Since expanding to an eight-member line up in 2021, the beloved cast—recognisable by their signature skivvies—now includes: Anthony and Lucia (Blue Wiggles), Simon and Caterina (Red Wiggles), Tsehay and Evie (Yellow Wiggles) and Lachy and John (Purple Wiggles).
As a group, they continue to create timeless content for families that is both developmentally appropriate for children and entertaining for parents and carers. In fact, many of these adults fondly remember growing up with The Wiggles, demonstrating a unique audience relationship that spans generations.
In addition to the core cast, The Wiggles’ friends include iconic characters such as Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword, as well as the viral internet sensation, The Tree of Wisdom, whose dancing has become a global phenomenon amongst children and grown-ups alike, with celebrity fans including Robert De Niro, Khloe Kardashian and Jessie J to name a few.
Looking ahead, The Wiggles are gearing up to embark on a global run of tour dates, including sold-out shows from March through August across the UK, US and Canada. The Tree of Wisdom Spectacular Tour will bring their world-class live performances to audiences across major markets and feature performances at New York’s Beacon Theatre, Philadelphia’s Miller Theatre, Boston’s Wang Theatre, Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Centre, Charlotte’s Ovens Auditorium and many more.
Full list of tour dates can be found below, tickets can be purchased at thewiggles.com.
THE WIGGLES TREE OF WISDOM SPECTACULAR WORLD TOUR
March 28 - London, UK - ICC Auditorium ExCeL
March 29 - London, UK - ICC Auditorium ExCeL
March 30 - Birmingham, UK - Symphony Hall
March 31 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Concert Hall
April 1 - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
April 2 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
April 4 - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
April 6 - Edinburgh, UK - Usher Hall
April 7 - Glasgow, UK - SEC Armadillo
April 9 - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
August 12 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
August 13 - Jacksonville, FL - Moran Theatre at JCPAC
August 15 - Macon, GA - Macon City Auditorium
August 16 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Centre
August 17 - Charlotte, NC - Ovens Auditorium
August 18 - Tysons, VA - Capital One Hall
August 19 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
August 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Miller Theatre
August 22 - New York, NY - Beacon Theatre
August 23 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
August 24 - Boston, MA - Wang Theatre
August 26 - Ottawa, ON - TD Place Arena
August 29 - Toronto, ON - Meridian Hall
Follow The Wiggles:
About Universal Music Group
At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for its artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.
About Republic Records: Kids and Family
Republic Records: Kids & Family launched as the official children’s division of Republic Records in 2022. The division caters to audiences ages 0-12 with fun and family-friendly music, collaborations, and experiences tailored to early development. Aimed to entertain the whole family, it offers engaging, educational, and explorative content, leveraging innovative partnerships with trusted brands such as Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Sony Pictures Animation and many more. With an emphasis on high quality music and world-class presentation, Republic Records: Kids & Family appeals to little ears and beyond.
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35 YEARS OF THE WIGGLES: A TIMELINE
1991: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Four friends with backgrounds in music form The Wiggles while studying Early Childhood
Education at University. Instantly identifiable by their signature brightly coloured shirts, Anthony Field (Blue), Greg Page (Yellow), Murray Cook (Red) and Jeff Fatt (Purple) start writing and performing developmentally appropriate children’s songs and release their self-titled debut album.
1992–1996: GRASSROOTS TO GREATNESS
The Wiggles tour extensively across Australia, performing at venues ranging from schools to town halls, and iconic stages including the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Arts Centre – averaging over 400 shows a year and steadily building a devoted fanbase.
Beloved characters Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword the Friendy Pirate are introduced into The Wiggles’ world, and are immediately embraced by audiences.
The group continue to release a stream of fan-favourite albums and VHS tapes, with their videos airing on ABC Kids in Australia.
1997: LIGHTS, CAMERA, WIGGLES!
The Wiggles Movie brings the band to the big screen, expanding their storytelling beyond the stage. This is soon followed up with the premiere of their eponymous TV Series.
2000: WIGGLEMANIA
The Wiggles broadcast footprint expands internationally across the US, UK, and Asia. Their videos gain major traction on Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney, introducing them to millions of families worldwide. The band begins touring extensively in the United States.
Performing in America during the weeks following 9/11, The Wiggles form a deep emotional connection with US audiences, offering comfort and joy during a difficult time.
2002: WILDLIFE MEETS WIGGLES
The Wiggles team up with their great mate Steve Irwin to create Wiggly Safari, a special album + DVD release filmed at Australia Zoo, which becomes one of the group’s most beloved releases.
2003: WIGGLES DAY!
The City of New York officially declares ‘Wiggles Day’ on November 1, honouring the group’s global
contribution to children’s entertainment. The Wiggles also appear in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and perform 12 sold-out consecutive shows at the iconic Madison Square Garden – a record at that time.
2005: WIGGLES WORLD OPENS
Wiggles World launches at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, Australia, complete with themed attractions including the beloved Big Red Car ride.
2006: A NEW YELLOW WIGGLE
Greg Page retires due to health reasons. Sam Moran steps in as the Yellow Wiggle, and tours with the group for several years.
2011: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS
The Wiggles celebrate 20 years of educating children and entertaining families. They are inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame alongside their friend and collaborator, Kylie Minogue.
2012: A YEAR OF TRANSITION
Greg Page briefly returns to the lineup, replacing Sam Moran [who goes on to star in his own Nick Jr. Australia show, Play Along with Sam]. At the end of the year, founding members Jeff, Murray and Greg all retire, leaving Anthony as the group’s sole remaining original member.
2013-2019: A NEW ERA
A reinvigorated lineup debuts, as Simon Pryce (Red), Lachlan Gillespie (Purple) and Emma Watkins (Yellow), join Anthony Field in the group. The new cast immediately form a connection with a new generation of children and build a devoted fanbase of their own.
The Wiggles’ flagship new TV series Ready, Steady, Wiggle! Premieres, and reestablishes the new lineup on broadcast platforms around the world. The group continue to regularly release new albums and video specials.
2020: WIGGLING FOR A CAUSE
The original lineup of Jeff, Murray, Greg and Anthony reunite for a concert raising funds for Australian Bushfire Relief. The show is live streamed globally, and Greg Page suffers a sudden cardiac arrest onstage. He makes a full recovery, and subsequently founds ‘Heart of the Nation’, an organisation dedicated to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, Automated Defibrillators (AEDs), and the chain of survival.
2021: CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The Wiggles celebrate their 30th anniversary with the release of a commemorative single ‘We’re All Fruit Salad!’, and related concerts, album, and video releases. Emma Watkins departs the group.
2022: BIGGER THAN EVER
The Wiggles expand to an eight-member lineup including Anthony and Lucia Field (Blue), Simon and Caterina Mete (Red), Tsehay Hawkins and Evie Ferris (Yellow) and Lachy and John Pearce (Purple), with the expanded cast reflecting the diversity of the group’s audience member lineup.
The Wiggles celebrated their first #1 album, ReWiggled, which featured cover songs alongside tributes by contemporary artists. The band’s ‘Like a Version’ cover of Tame Impala’s ‘Elephant’ also made history, coming in at #1 on the triple j Hottest 100 - the world’s biggest publicly voted music poll.
The Wiggles received the prestigious APRA Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. They also starred on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, joined The Kid Laroi on stage at Rod Laver Arena, and finished the year by headlining the Falls Festival national tour alongside Lil Nas X, Arctic Monkeys and Amyl and the Sniffers.
2023: ON SCREEN & ON TOP
A career-spanning, feature documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles is released globally on Prime Video. For the first time ever, The Wiggles are also crowned Australia’s #1 Local Artist on Spotify.
2024: NON-STOP WIGGLES
Continued TV series, albums and digital releases including Ready, Steady, Wiggle! and alongside expanding online content. The group celebrates the release of their 100th album Wiggle and Learn. The Wiggles are once again named Australia’s #1 Local Artist on Spotify.
2025: THE WIGGLES GO COUNTRY + THE TREE OF WISDOM
The Country Music inspired album ‘Wiggle Up, Giddy Up!’ is released, featuring collaborations with Dolly Parton, Orville Peck, Lainey Wilson and more. The album reaches #1 on Australia’s Country Charts.
The hugely popular character The Tree of Wisdom goes viral on social media, with the launch of a spin-off album, TV series, and arena tour. The group make a surprise on-stage appearance in Australia with Teddy Swims, delighting audiences of all ages.
The Wiggles celebrate surpassing 10 million YouTube subscribers, and are announced Australia’s #1 Local Artist on Spotify for the third consecutive year.
2026: A NEW CHAPTER
The beloved children’s entertainers join forces with Universal Music Group, celebrating a landmark strategic global agreement with a symbolic Wiggle-finger handshake atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The band announces international tour dates across the UK, US and Canada throughout 2026.
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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| Courtesy: The Wiggles |
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