Are The Rolling Stones Planning A 2026 European Tour?

You would be hard-pressed to name another rock band more deserving of being called survivors that the Rolling Stones and having been in the game so long, they are masters when it comes to keeping fans guessing. With 2025 almost over, fresh whispers about a European tour are beginning to circulate. Veteran Stones keyboardist Check Levell and guitarist Ronnie Wood are credited with recent comments that have fan hopes soaring.

These fresh rumblings seem to have put the final nail in the coffin of hopes for a European jaunt before the end of the year despite talk of the possibility earlier. But the new rumors of a tour next year may take the sting out of that realization. Despite their advanced years, it does not appear that the Rolling Stones are ready to hang up their guitars just yet. Their $200 million 2024 Hackney Diamonds North American Tour demonstrated that they can still take the stage and deliver a performance that leaves fans screaming for more.

Leavell seems to have been the one that let the cat out of the bag concerning potential 2026 tour plans. Appearing at an event in London to celebrate the reissue of their 1976 album Black and Blue, Leavell teased with a comment that could be considered an indication and that has fans buzzing. “They don’t want to hang up the rock ’n’ roll shoes yet. There’s no doubt in my mind. We’ve done a good bit in the US the last few years, so I think the likelihood would be somewhere else and my best guess would be probably Europe.”

Further comments only served to fuel more expectations when he said, “Yes we are hoping to do some dates. Hopefully we will be back out there but I am still waiting to find out myself.”

Although it cannot be said that it has been a particularly long time since the Stones last embarked on a European tour, it is not hard to imagine that they would easily sell out every venue they booked. The 2022 Sixty Tour celebrated the group’s six decades and included stops in Madrid, Munich, Amsterdam and Paris while drawing massive crowds and proving once again that they still have what it takes.

Talk of a 2025 European tour surfaced earlier this year and mentioned cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Amsterdam. In January some online sources suggested that the group was planning a summer tour that would be featuring new music. Before the month was over other sources were reporting that tour plans had been scrapped due to possible venue availability and health problems. At the time, one anonymous source claimed that, “The time off needed between shows and coordinating that between cities and venue availability is a huge problem in Europe, not so much in the US.”

The pivot to 2026 makes sense given the Stones’ pattern of spacing their tours. Leavell’s apparent best guess for a European excursion makes sense and it may not be unreasonable to expect it to kick off in the spring or summer of 2026 around the time of the upcoming new album release. Fan speculation is inevitable after these comments and online chatter questions whether venues like Wembley or the O2 Arena are being included.

What might a 2026 European tour actually look like? It seems reasonably safe to presume that the setlist will include dependable classics such as “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” — with tracks from Hackney Diamonds like “Angry” and “Sweet Sounds of Heaven.”

The new album, described recently by Ronnie Wood as “done,” promises new material and may even include some interesting collaborations. Europe presents a particular set of hurdles that touring groups must deal with. Tighter venue schedules and varying regulations complicate matters and can interfere with the band’s recovery time. Prior tours, like 2017’s No Filter (which hit Europe post-2015) focused on major cities to maximize attendance.

Health remains a wildcard and that is not unexpected with guys in their late 70s and early 80s. Jagger’s 2019 heart surgery delayed the No Filter Tour, and Richards’ arthritis has not been a secret. Even so, the 2024 shows proved their legendary resilience, featuring Jagger’s age-defying energy.

Leavell’s optimism is revealed by other comments such as, “They’ve been recording. I’m sure there’s already some new music, and I’m sure it’s great,” suggests that the band is motivated. This could foretell a triumphant return to Europe, where the Stones have deep roots born from their 1960s exile in France and legendary gigs like Hyde Park 1969.

Fans seem divided but that’s not a surprise. Some thrill at the prospect while others worry it’s “one last cash grab” but that seems to be the way things go these days when classic rock groups announce tours. Fans wonder if the group can still pull it off after 40, 50 or even 60 years in the game. Ultimately, fans are free to decide for themselves whether they want to spend the money for a ticket.

If 2026 happens, it might include festival slots or arena runs, avoiding the grueling stadium marathons of the past.

As rumors evolve, the Stones’ legacy endures. From Hackney Diamonds’ critical acclaim to their enduring cultural imprint, a European tour would celebrate over 60 years of rock rebellion.

Whether it’s 2026 or beyond, one thing’s certain: As long as Jagger struts and Richards riffs, the Stones will roll on.