Sir Rod Stewart has announced that his upcoming Final Encore tour, set to begin in April 2027, will be the last of his live touring career. The 81-year-old singer, whose career has spanned over six decades, made the decision to conclude his extensive touring schedule following a series of health challenges, including heart surgery earlier this year.
The Final Encore tour will include dates across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and mainland Europe, starting at Dublin’s 3Arena and concluding in Hanover, Germany, in July 2027. Additionally, two rescheduled shows are planned for Colorado in September 2027, which will mark his final live performances on the road. The tour will feature arena concerts in cities such as Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, London, and other European venues. For the UK and Ireland dates, Stewart will be supported by 1980s singer Howard Jones.
Stewart has emphasized that while this will be his last full rock and roll tour, he is not fully retiring from music and may continue to record new studio material. He noted that although he will no longer be performing extensively on the road, he and former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood have ongoing collaborations that could still see future releases.
The singer’s announcement comes after a difficult year marked by health-related disruptions. Earlier in 2026, Stewart was compelled to halt his One Last Time farewell tour in the United States and Mexico due to a heart operation. Prior to that, he faced several cancellations and postponements owing to respiratory infections, sinus issues, laryngitis, and flu, which at times severely impacted his ability to perform. During one Utah show, Stewart nearly fainted and had to use an oxygen tank while seated for the remainder of the concert. His wife, Penny Lancaster, has expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that he is expected to return "stronger than ever" following his surgery.
Reflecting on his decision to stop touring, Stewart said: “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.” He expressed gratitude to his fans for their support throughout his long career and invited them to join him on the forthcoming tour, promising “one hell of a show.”
Stewart began his musical journey as a busker in London in the early 1960s, performing with folk singer Wizz Jones before joining bands such as the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces. His solo career took off in the late 1960s, highlighted by the breakthrough 1971 album *Every Picture Tells a Story*. Over the years, he has released 32 studio albums, with 25 UK top ten singles, including hits like “Maggie May” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?”, and has achieved 11 UK number one albums.
Tickets for the Final Encore tour will go on general sale in the coming weeks, marking the final opportunity for fans to see Stewart perform live on an extensive tour.