Rod Stewart announces his 'last tour ever' for 2027 after health scares forced him to cancel this year's dates

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Rod Stewart, 81, has declared that his 2027 tour, 'The Final Encore', will be his farewell to touring, telling fans in an emotional Instagram video: 'After much deliberation and sadness, I have to announce next year will be my last tour ever, ever, ever.' The British rocker made clear he is not stepping away from live performance altogether, only that his days on the road are coming to an end after more than six decades. The Final Encore opens in Dublin on 23 April 2027 and wraps up in Hannover on 24 July, with UK stops in Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London.

Stewart cancelled the remaining dates of his 2026 North American tour in August following a coronary stent procedure, and the farewell tour announcement comes in the wake of those health setbacks.

He told fans his 'extraordinary life' had been made possible by them, promising 'one hell of a show' in return for their decades of support.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly was among those rallying behind Stewart after the shock announcement, which left fans describing themselves as 'heartbroken'.