Rod Stewart announced The Final Encore on September 28, 2026. He says the 2027 tour of Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe will be his last. It starts April 23 at Dublin’s 3Arena and ends July 24 at ZAG Arena in Hannover, Germany, closing out more than six decades on the road for the 81-year-old singer.
Key Takeaways
- Stewart announced the tour in an Instagram video, calling The Final Encore “most definitely my last.”
- He said he is not retiring from music, only from rock and roll touring.
- The O2 in London has confirmed Stewart’s show there on May 11, 2027.
- Howard Jones, known for “What Is Love?” and “Things Can Only Get Better,” will open all UK and Ireland dates.
- A fan club presale began September 29, followed by local presales and a general on-sale on Friday, October 2.
- Stewart also has separate U.S. appearances scheduled for 2027, including September concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.
Rod Stewart Frames The Final Encore As A Goodbye To The Road
Rod Stewart’s announcement was clear and personal. “My dear friends, the time has come to say farewell to life on the road,” he said in his statement. “After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last.”
In the video, Stewart looked back on how long he has been performing. “I’ve been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old,” he said, and he thanked fans for letting him take that music around the world. He called the decision one that came “after much deliberation and sadness.”
The Final Encore follows Rod Stewart’s One Last Time tour, which began in 2024 and played the United States, Mexico, and other markets. The 2026 North American leg of that tour ended early in August, when Stewart canceled his remaining dates for a medical procedure.
The End Of Touring, Not The End Of Rod Stewart’s Music
The announcement draws a clear line. Rod Stewart is ending full-scale touring, not his career. “I’m not retiring,” he said in the video, “but this will be the last rock n’ roll tour.”
That line matters. A major arena tour means months of travel, back-to-back shows, and production across many countries. Stewart is stepping away from that, not from the stage entirely. His wording leaves room for new recordings, one-off performances, and occasional appearances. The Red Rocks dates in September 2027, scheduled after the European run ends, are an example of that.
Fans are right to be cautious about farewell tours, since many artists have announced a last tour and then returned. Stewart’s wording avoids that problem. He is ending one specific kind of touring and leaving other options open.
The Final Encore Routing Covers Ireland, The UK, And Europe
The Final Encore opens April 23, 2027, at 3Arena in Dublin, then moves to the SSE Arena in Belfast on April 27. The UK leg includes Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, and London, where The O2 has confirmed a May 11 date.
After the UK, Rod Stewart heads into mainland Europe with stops in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Munich, and Prague. The announced run ends July 24 at ZAG Arena in Hannover.
Howard Jones Joins As Support Across The UK And Ireland
Howard Jones will open every UK and Ireland date. The 1980s synth-pop star’s hits include “What Is Love?” and “Things Can Only Get Better.” The pairing gives audiences a double bill of artists with long careers on the UK charts.
A Touring Career That Spans Six Decades
Few artists have toured as long as Rod Stewart. He started out in the British blues and R&B scene of the 1960s, rose through the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces, and became one of rock’s best-known solo acts with songs such as “Maggie May,” “You Wear It Well,” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” He later expanded into the Great American Songbook, swing, and a 13-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Even in his 80s, Stewart has kept a busy schedule of arenas, festivals, and major public events, including performances among the concert lineups for America’s 250th birthday celebrations. The Final Encore brings that schedule to a planned end.
What The Final Encore Means For Fans And The Live Business
For fans in Ireland, the UK, and Europe, The Final Encore is likely their last chance to see Rod Stewart on a full arena tour. Legacy farewell tours usually sell quickly, and the staggered ticket release, with a fan club presale first, then local presales, then general sale, gives the most dedicated fans the first opportunity.
The tour also reflects a broader shift in live music. Artists who built their careers in the 1960s and 1970s are now closing out their touring years. When they present a tour as a final one, it draws both long-time fans and people who never saw them live. For Rod Stewart, The Final Encore is a planned ending on his own terms, with his recording career still open.
FAQs
When Does Rod Stewart’s Final Encore Tour Start?
The Final Encore starts April 23, 2027, at 3Arena in Dublin. The announced run ends July 24, 2027, at ZAG Arena in Hannover, Germany.
Is Rod Stewart Retiring?
No. Rod Stewart said he is not retiring from music, but The Final Encore will be his last rock and roll tour.
When Do Rod Stewart Final Encore Tickets Go On Sale?
A fan club presale began September 29, 2026, followed by local presales. The general on-sale is Friday, October 2, 2026.
Who Is Opening For Rod Stewart On The Final Encore Tour?
Howard Jones will open all UK and Ireland dates on The Final Encore tour.
Will Rod Stewart Perform In The United States In 2027?
Yes. Separately from The Final Encore’s European run, Rod Stewart has U.S. appearances scheduled in 2027, including September concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.
