Rod Stewart is preparing to say goodbye to life on the road after more than six decades of performing. The 81-year-old rock legend has announced that his 2027 Final Encore run will mark his last full rock ’n’ roll tour, bringing one of music’s longest touring careers toward a close.
According to Los Angeles Times, the Rod Stewart tour announcement came with an important clarification, however. Stewart says he is not retiring from music altogether. Instead, he appears ready to step away from the demanding routine of major tours while leaving the door open for whatever comes next.
Rod Stewart Tour Will Be His “Last Ever”
Stewart revealed the news in a social media video, admitting that the decision came after plenty of thought and some sadness. He described Final Encore as his “last tour ever, ever, ever” and thanked fans for everything they have given him throughout his career. At the same time, he emphasized that he is not walking away from music completely.
The 2027 schedule includes concerts throughout the U.K. and Europe from April through July. Stewart also has several U.S. performances planned, including dates in Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida in March, followed by two Colorado shows in September. Even with the farewell label attached, Stewart sounds excited about returning to the stage and has encouraged fans to come see him one more time.
The Farewell Comes After a Recent Health Setback
The announcement follows a difficult stretch earlier this year. In August, Stewart canceled shows after undergoing a routine coronary stent procedure and needed extra time to recover. His team later said doctors were pleased with his progress. The upcoming Rod Stewart tour now carries extra meaning as he returns to the stage while stepping away from the relentless touring pace that defined much of his career.
For longtime fans, Final Encore will likely feel less like a traditional retirement tour and more like the closing of one chapter. Stewart has spent decades performing songs such as “Maggie May,” “You Wear It Well,” and “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” for audiences around the world, building a career that has stretched across generations. His message makes one thing clear: the road may be ending, but Rod Stewart himself is not disappearing. After more than 60 years of touring, Final Encore simply gives him the chance to take one last extended bow on his own terms.