The Rolling Stones have canceled their planned tour for 2026 reportedly over Keith Richards’ concerns that he can’t handle the rigorous schedule because of his arthritis.
The stadium tour would have seen the “Satisfaction” rockers touch down across the U.K. and Europe, but the 81-year-old guitarist was unable to “commit” to it because of his condition, sources told Variety.
The band has recently completed a new album and had been planning to tour on it, a spokesperson told the British press, though neither have been officially announced.
“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,” a source told The U.K. Sun.
“The band [was] looking to tour earlier this year but couldn’t make it work either,” another source said. “It’s hard for their fans but The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”
The band’s previous tour saw them play 20 shows across North America over three months. They’ve toured nearly every year since 2000, but have gradually scheduled fewer dates on each run as core members Richards, Mick Jagger and Ron Wood have grown older.
Original drummer Charlie Watts died in 2021 at age 80 and was replaced by longtime Richards collaborator Steve Jordan.
Richards, who turns 82 on Thursday, has described his arthritis as “benign” but said it has forced him to change his playing style.
“I found that interesting, when I’m like, ‘I can’t quite do that anymore,’ the guitar will show me there’s another way of doing it,” he told the BBC in 2023. “Some finger will go one space different and a whole new door opens. And so you’re always learning. You never finish school, man.”
