Rod Stewart announces 2027 European farewell tour following six decades of live performances

Tour announcement and European itinerary

Sir Rod Stewart announced on 28 September 2026 that he will embark on his final concert tour in 2027. Titled "The Final Encore", the European arena tour covers 21 dates, beginning on 23 April 2027 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, and concluding on 24 July 2027 at the ZAG Arena in Hannover, Germany. Stewart confirmed the decision in a video posted to his Instagram account, clarifying that while he is stepping away from large-scale touring after six decades on the road, he is not retiring from music entirely. The British singer, who turned 81, noted that he may still record music and perform occasional standalone shows in the future. Synth-pop musician Howard Jones will appear as the opening act for all scheduled dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“My dear friends, the time has come to say farewell to life on the road. After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last. I've been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I've had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you. It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I've given you some fond memories in return.”

Tour dates across the continent

The itinerary takes Stewart across multiple European countries between April and July 2027. Following the opening performances in Dublin and Belfast, the schedule includes stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and London. The tour then moves across mainland Europe with appearances in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Rättvik, Trondheim, and Bergen. Additional dates are scheduled for Budapest, Pula, Prague, and Kraków, alongside four concerts in Germany spanning Berlin, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hannover.

Recent medical procedures and schedule changes

The announcement follows several health disruptions during Stewart's recent "One Last Time" tour in North America. In August 2026, Stewart postponed and cancelled remaining dates in the United States and Mexico after undergoing a cardiac procedure to insert a coronary stent for an obstructed artery. Earlier in the summer, medical concerns including vocal cord inflammation, a sinus infection, and a respiratory illness leading to laryngitis forced adjustments to several appearances. A performance in Utah required a mid-show pause to administer oxygen after Stewart experienced severe discomfort on stage. Rescheduled North American concerts, including performances at Red Rocks in Colorado, are set to take place in September 2027 following the European leg.

Performance physical demands and ticket sales

Stewart's wife, Penny Lancaster, spoke to the Press Association regarding the physical toll of his energetic live routines. She stated that medical professionals advised a temporary break because Stewart performs continuously for nearly two hours with multiple costume changes rather than remaining seated.

“He's back at full speed in his day-to-day activities, but doctor's orders were to kind of postpone or cancel the current tour, because you know the risk factors involved.”

Fan club presales for "The Final Encore" open on 29 September 2026, with general public ticket sales commencing on 2 October 2026. Stewart's setlist is expected to feature career-spanning tracks including "Maggie May", "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", "Hot Legs", and "Young Turks".