The Rolling Stones have reportedly canceled their anticipated 2026 tour, with guitarist Keith Richards expressing hesitancy about committing to an extensive stadium tour spanning over four months. According to the band's representative, Bernard Doherty, while promoters had proposed numerous dates across Europe for the upcoming summer, Richards conveyed his reluctance during internal discussions. Doherty stated, "When they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn't think he could commit and wasn't keen on a big stadium tour for over four months at this time." (ctpost.com)
This development follows the band's successful 2024 U.S. tour supporting their album "Hackney Diamonds," which grossed approximately $235 million. Despite the financial success, the band's internal deliberations led to the decision to forgo the 2026 tour plans. (guitarworld.com)
In related news, Keith Richards celebrated his 82nd birthday on December 18, 2025. His bandmates marked the occasion with heartfelt messages on social media. The Rolling Stones' official Instagram account shared a series of photos of Richards over the years, captioning it, "Today we celebrate @officialkeef on this special day! Happy Birthday, Keith - gold rings on you." Frontman Mick Jagger posted a photo of the duo smiling onstage together, writing, "Happy birthday Keith, love Mick," while Ronnie Wood shared several pictures and paintings of Richards, adding, "A very happy 82nd birthday to @officialkeef!" (yahoo.com)
Richards, a longtime resident of Weston, Connecticut, was also honored earlier this year with the inaugural Connecticut Governor’s Award of Excellence. The award recognized his significant contributions to the arts and his support of local organizations. During the ceremony at the Westport Library, Richards expressed his gratitude, stating, "Thank you, Connecticut. You kind of get lost for words with something like this around your neck." (ctpublic.org)
Despite the cancellation of the 2026 tour, fans remain hopeful for future performances, as the band has not ruled out returning to the stage when they feel ready. As one spokesperson mentioned, "The Stones will get back onstage when they're good and ready." (guitarworld.com)