Madonna to tour Australia after 20 years

The one and only Madonna will be performing down under for the first time in 20 years, with the superstar singer confirming that her newly announced world tour will take in Australia by 2013.

While dates and ticket sales for the Australian leg are yet to be announced, local fans are said to be in the grip of Madonna fever with the veteran pop star deciding to give Australia a miss during her most recent world ‘Sticky & Sweet’ tour in 2008-09, which ended up eventually grossing more than $400 million.

She last performed in the country in 1993 when she held a show at Melbourne’s MCG.

The tour will kick off on May 29 in Tel Aviv, Israel, which was recently voted as the world’s top gay tourist destination.

The shows will include arenas, stadiums and special outdoor sights including the Plains of Abraham in Quebec and a return visit to South America.

The tour will also take in 26 European cities including London, Paris, Milan and Berlin.

Steve Fogel, CEO for promoters Live Nation, said the tour will be Madonna's longest to date, with the star expected to perform 90 concerts around the globe.

“Madonna’s track record as a world class entertainer and touring artist speaks for itself. Her artistry, talent and creative productions get bigger and better with each tour and Madonna 2012 will be no exception,” Fogel said.

“We are thrilled to have her back on the road and know her fans feel the same.”

The announcement comes on the back of the extravagant half-time show Madonna put on at the NFL Superbowl earlier this week.

In the course of her phenomenal career, Madonna has sold over 300 million albums, received seven Grammy Awards and in 2008 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Her latest album MDNA will be released on March 26.