Rod Stewart has announced that next year will bring his final tour, following a coronary stent procedure and a string of illnesses that forced him to cancel shows.
The 80-year-old rocker revealed “The Final Encore Tour” in an Instagram post Monday. “Well, here we go… one last time!” he wrote. “Come and see me on my The Final Encore Tour for one more round of rock ‘n’ roll. I’m really looking forward to it.”
In an accompanying video message, Stewart told fans the decision came after “much deliberation and sadness.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, after much deliberation and sadness, I have to announce next year will be my last tour ever, ever, ever,” he said. “I’m not retiring, but this will be the last rock and roll tour.”
He thanked his fans directly: “I wanna thank you for everything you’ve given me, and hopefully I’ve given you something in return.” He added, “Please come out and see me on the tour. It’s gonna be great!”
Fans responded with messages of gratitude in the comments. One wrote, “Sir Rod, After 53 years and nearly 300 shows across four continents, I am heartbroken that I just have one more year of your AMAZING live shows. Can’t wait to see ALL of them. Thank you for a lifetime of music that created incredible moments and memories.” Another wrote, “You have given me so much joy, a real good reason to travel the world and the chance to met wonderful people (some of whom I can call my friends now). Gratitude, Respect and Love forever.”
A History of Health Setbacks
Stewart has canceled numerous shows in recent years due to strep throat, COVID-19 and the flu. In 2026, a sinus infection and an acute upper respiratory infection that led to laryngitis forced further cancellations.
In August, Stewart canceled the remaining dates of his “One Last Time Tour” after undergoing a coronary stent procedure. His team shared an update on Instagram at the time: “Doctors are pleased with his recovery, and Rod is doing very well and has returned to his normal daily activities. On the advice of his doctors, he will take the next four weeks to recuperate and regain full fitness before returning to the stage.”
Stewart’s wife, Penny Lancaster, later described his demanding onstage routine during an appearance on the “At Home with Vanessa” podcast, explaining why doctors urged him to rest.
“So, he’s on the cycling machine warming his legs up, he’s warming his voice up, he’s getting prepared with his outfit, it’s like pumping his chest, you know? And he comes out the dressing room, and it’s that walk down the corridor to his stage,” she said. “And once he gets onstage, he doesn’t just walk on, like he runs on. And the first song, it’s like go, go, go. And he does that for like an hour and a half, two hours.”
Lancaster said that recovery has required a group effort. “Between me and my brother, his trainer, and doctors and everyone, you know, we’re not letting him get away with it … he has to do as he’s told,” she said, adding that Stewart was already back in the gym despite doctors’ orders to rest.
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