The Rolling Stones have reportedly called off plans for a 2026 United Kingdom and European tour, according to a report published Tuesday in Variety, which cited an unnamed source close to the band. The dates for the tour were never officially announced or confirmed.
Variety reported that guitarist Keith Richards, who will turn 82 on Dec. 18, was unable to commit to another lengthy tour, according to unspecified sources. The reports appear linked to recent stories in The Sun, a British tabloid, which quoted touring pianist Chuck Leavell as saying the band had been planning their first shows since a 20-date North American run in 2024 supporting their album “Hackney Diamonds.” Plans for a 2025 U.K. tour were also never confirmed.
Leavell reportedly told The Sun that singer Mick Jagger, 81, and Richards are not ready to stop performing. “They don’t want to hang up the rock ’n’ roll shoes yet,” Leavell said, according to the report. “There’s no doubt in my mind.” Leavell also said the group has been working on a new album and that “I am also sure that the band wants to perform.”
Variety referenced another Sun story that cited an unnamed American music critic, who claimed Richards told his bandmates he did not think he could commit to a four-month stadium tour.
As of Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for the Rolling Stones had not responded to a request for comment from Billboard, and neither Richards nor Jagger had commented publicly on the reports. A spokesperson for the band also told NME that reports of the canceled 2026 tour are accurate.
Andrew Watt, who produced “Hackney Diamonds,” told Rolling Stone magazine in September that he is producing the follow-up to the Stones’ 24th studio album. “When the tongue is up in the air, you just go,” Watt said. “I can say we did some recording together, but that’s all I can say.”