Rod Stewart News: Rock Legend Hints 2027 UK Shows May Be His Final Touring Bow
Rod Stewart has spent decades insisting that retirement is not part of his plan. But the 81-year-old rock icon has now suggested that his upcoming 2027 U.K. shows could “probably be it” when it comes to touring, raising fresh questions about the future of one of music’s most enduring live performers.
The comment came during a Monday call-in appearance on British sports network talkSPORT, where Stewart was discussing his favorite soccer team before being asked about his touring schedule.
Stewart Signals a Possible End to Touring
After a private event in Monaco, Stewart said he was heading to Las Vegas for another run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, beginning May 27.
“I’ve got 40 odd shows this year, and that’s that’s not really…enough,” he said. “And I’m touring the U.K. next year, doing the O2 [arena] and that’ll probably be it, I think. I’ll have to do something new. Come on your show more often, maybe.”
The 2027 shows he referenced have not yet been officially announced. For now, Stewart’s remaining 2026 schedule includes headlining dates, a few shows with Richard Marx, festival appearances and another Las Vegas run in August.
Why the Stage Still Matters to Rod Stewart
Even while hinting at a touring farewell, Stewart made it clear that performing remains central to his life.
Asked whether he still gets a “massive buzz” from being onstage, he replied: “There’s nothing like it. There’s no drink, alcohol or drug will give you that buzz … to see all those smiling faces out there and … send them all home happy is just God’s gift. It’s wonderful.”
That comment captures the tension around Stewart’s latest remarks: he may be considering the end of large-scale touring, but not the end of performing, public appearances or creative life.
“One Last Time” Was Never Full Retirement
In late 2024, Stewart announced his ongoing One Last Time tour and described it as the end of “large-scale world tours” for him. At the time, he added: “I have no desire to retire. I love what I do, and I do what I love.”
His new comments appear to narrow that position. Rather than announcing retirement from music, Stewart seems to be pointing toward a future with fewer major tours and possibly more selective performances.
Buckingham Palace Moment Adds to a Busy Week
Stewart has also been in the spotlight for a royal celebration. He and Phil Collins attended The King’s Trust 50th Anniversary Party at Buckingham Palace on May 14. Stewart, 81, was accompanied by wife Penny Lancaster, while Collins, 75, attended with ex-wife Jill Collins.
Jill Collins shared that the event included “downpours of torrential rain” but said the weather “did not seem to dampen the festivities.” She added that she and Phil Collins were “very proud and honored to be there” and had “a few private moments with King Charles.”
CBS Tribute Celebrates Six Decades of Music
The latest Rod Stewart news also includes a major television tribute. Forever Young: A GRAMMY Salute to Rod Stewart LIVE airs Tuesday, May 19, on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and streams on Paramount+.
The two-hour special was filmed in February at Hard Rock Live inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. It celebrates Stewart’s musical and cultural impact across more than six decades.
What Comes Next
For fans, the immediate takeaway is clear: Stewart is still active, still touring and still deeply connected to the live stage. But his latest remarks suggest that the next phase of his career may look different.
If the 2027 U.K. shows become his final major touring chapter, they will mark a significant transition for a performer whose voice, style and showmanship helped define generations of pop-rock music.
Rod Stewart may not be ready to retire. But he may be preparing to say goodbye to the road.
