Sir Rod Stewart has formally confirmed his retirement from touring after more than 60 years performing on stage, revealing that his forthcoming 2027 tour, entitled The Final Encore, will definitely be his last.
In a heartfelt message shared today (28 September), the 81-year-old rock icon spoke directly to his supporters. In his Instagram statement, Stewart looked back on his six decades of performances around the globe and conveyed profound appreciation to his fans for enabling his remarkable life. He expressed his desire to thank them with "one hell of a show".
Tour dates and special guest
The Final Encore tour will take place between April and July 2027 throughout the UK, Ireland, and Europe, with 80s synth-pop star Howard Jones appearing as special guest. Notable dates include Dublin as the tour kicks off on 23 April 2027, Belfast's SSE Arena and performances at London's The O2, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. European venues include Amsterdam (Ziggo Dome), Berlin (Uber Arena), Prague, and a closing show in Hannover, Germany, on 24 July 2027.
Health setbacks and recovery
Stewart's decision to retire comes after health setbacks during his earlier One Last Time tour, including scrapped performances at the start of the year owing to serious strep throat and a coronary stent heart procedure in August 2026. Despite making a complete recovery, the singer has chosen to conclude his touring career on a high note.
Ticket details and pre-sales
General public tickets go on sale this Friday, 2 October 2026 at 10am. However, if you're keen to get ahead of the rush, a number of pre-sales are lined up throughout the week. The fan club pre-sale kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday, 29 September) at 10am, and you'll need to be registered on Rod Stewart's official website to get access.
O2 Priority and provider pre-sales open on Wednesday, 30 September at 10am, which includes O2 Priority and OVO Energy customer allocations, depending on the specific venue. The Live Nation pre-sale then opens on Thursday, 1 October at 10am.
