The Rolling Stones have officially shelved plans for a 2026 tour of the United Kingdom and Europe, ending speculation about a forthcoming summer stadium run before any dates were publicly announced. Sources close to the band say that internal discussions ultimately led members to abandon the extensive tour itinerary.
According to multiple reports, guitarist Keith Richards was a central figure in the decision, telling his bandmates that he could not commit to the strenuous demands of a prolonged series of live shows. Richards, who will turn 82 this month, has for years spoken candidly about managing arthritis and adapting his performance style to accommodate physical challenges. Those health considerations reportedly weighed heavily on his mind as the group evaluated the scale of the proposed tour.
Though roads and promoters had been tentatively preparing for a Stones stadium trek across Europe and the UK, organizers acknowledge that no official tour announcement or confirmed dates ever emerged. The band’s most recent live dates came on their 2024 “Hackney Diamonds” tour across North America, which marked the first major campaign behind original material in decades.
Despite stepping back from live touring, the Rolling Stones are not dormant. Band members have been in the studio with producer Andrew Watt, completing what insiders describe as the group’s next full‑length album. Guitarist Ronnie Wood has shared that the record is finished and expected next year, giving fans fresh material to anticipate even in the absence of a large‑scale tour.
The Stones’ legacy as seminal figures in rock history remains secure, and while the cancellation is disappointing to many longtime followers, it reflects the realities of life on the road for performers whose careers span more than six decades.