Rolling Stones pull the plug on 2026 tour

The Rolling Stones have scrapped plans for a 2026 U.K. and European stadium tour, a source confirms to Variety, after guitarist Keith Richards was reportedly unable to commit.

Though never formally announced, the band had been expected to tour while finishing a new album with producer Andrew Watt. Richards, who turns 82 this week, is said to have opted out due to the physical demands of touring amid ongoing arthritis issues.

The Stones have toured almost every year since the early 2000s, scaling back as Mick Jagger, Ron Wood, and Keith Richards have aged; original drummer Charlie Watts died in 2021 and was replaced by Steve Jordan. Their most recent run, the Hackney Diamonds tour, stretched 20 North American dates over three months. A new album is still expected next year, with producer Andrew Watt helping reinvigorate the band on 2023’s Hackney Diamonds, their first album of new material in 15 years.