The Rolling Stones won’t be hitting the road in 2026 — the band’s representatives confirmed the decision to pause touring plans, leaving fans wondering what’s next as two of the five original members are still alive and health concerns fuel speculation. Here’s what we know, what’s still unclear, and what might come next.
Years active: 1962–present ·
Original members: 5 (Jagger, Richards, Jones, Wyman, Watts) ·
Studio albums: 30 (UK) ·
Estimated sales: Over 200 million records worldwide ·
Current touring members (2025): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood
Quick snapshot
- 2026 tour has been cancelled (Variety (entertainment trade publication))
- Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are alive (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Ronnie Wood is a current touring member (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Exact reason for tour cancellation (official statement vague)
- Keith Richards’ specific medical diagnosis
- Whether a 2027 tour will occur
- Mick Jagger’s dietary details are self-reported
- 1962: Band formed (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 1969: Brian Jones dies (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2021: Charlie Watts dies (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2025: 2026 tour cancelled (Variety (entertainment trade publication))
- No 2027 dates confirmed (The Rolling Stones Official Website (band’s primary platform))
- Band reportedly focusing on a new album (The Rolling Stones Official Website (band’s primary platform))
- Possible return to stage when ready (Variety (entertainment trade publication))
Seven key facts about the Rolling Stones, one pattern: the band’s longevity is matched by its shifting lineup.
| Formed | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | London, England |
| Original members | 5 |
| Current active members | 3 (Jagger, Richards, Wood) |
| Total studio albums | 30 (UK charted) |
| Best-selling album | ‘Some Girls’ (estimated 8 million copies) |
| Last major tour | ‘Sixty’ tour (2022) |
Why have the Rolling Stones cancelled their 2026 tour?
What reasons were officially given?
- Multiple reports say the band scrapped or paused plans for a 2026 UK/Europe stadium tour (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
- A Rolling Stones representative told Rolling Stone (music magazine) the band had considered touring earlier in 2025 but could not finalize plans.
- Relix magazine later quoted Keith Richards saying the band would not tour in 2026 — “not this year, anyway” (Relix (music magazine)).
How does this affect upcoming performances?
- No new dates have been rescheduled as of early 2025 (The Rolling Stones Official Website (band’s primary platform)).
- Ticket refunds were issued via official channels for any previously reserved slots.
- The cancellation/deferral reports described the 2026 tour plans as tentative or never officially announced (Vulture (pop culture outlet)).
The 2026 tour pause reflects a band that still controls its own schedule — but the decision also signals that the members’ health and stamina, especially Keith Richards’ arthritis, shape the itinerary more than any commercial pressure.
The implication: the Rolling Stones are prioritizing the members’ well-being over a rigid touring calendar, a pattern that may define the band’s remaining years on the road.
Keith Richards’ reluctance to commit to a long tour, rather than a health emergency, led to the 2026 cancellation. The band may return in 2027 if they finish a new album.
How many of the original Stones are still alive?
Who were the original members?
- The first stable line-up (1962) included Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- Ronnie Wood joined later and is not an original member (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Which original members have died?
- Brian Jones died in 1969 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- Charlie Watts died in 2021 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- Bill Wyman left the band in 1993 but is still alive (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- As of 2025, two original members are still alive: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
The pattern: of the original five, three are gone — but the two who remain still drive the band’s creative output and public identity.
For a look at another band’s membership evolution, see Westlife Members: Original & Current Lineup Explained.
What condition does Keith Richards have?
What is the specific diagnosis?
- Keith Richards has long had arthritis, which several reports cited as a factor affecting touring stamina and guitar technique (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
- One report said Richards was not enthusiastic about a stadium tour lasting more than four months (Vulture (pop culture outlet)).
- Rolling Stone reported there were no signs of a serious acute health crisis around the cancellation report (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
How does it affect his guitar playing?
- In interviews, Richards downplays health concerns, and he continues to perform at a high level when the band does tour.
- No official confirmation of any life-threatening condition has been made public.
The catch: the arthritis diagnosis is real enough to influence tour logistics, but not severe enough to stop him from playing — the band is simply choosing not to push him through a long tour.
The impact of health on musicians is also covered in our article on Chester Bennington: Death, Jay Z Tribute & Son’s Criticism.
What does Mick Jagger eat to stay healthy?
What is Mick Jagger’s daily diet?
- Mick Jagger follows a mostly plant-based diet with lean proteins, according to self-reported interviews.
- He reportedly avoids processed sugars and alcohol.
- His diet supports his high-energy stage performances, and he maintains fitness through dance and Pilates.
Does he follow any specific nutrition plan?
- No confirmed illness; he shows no signs of a chronic condition that would affect touring (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
- Jagger’s dietary details are self-reported and not independently verified.
Why this matters: Jagger’s health is often a topic of fan worry, but the available evidence suggests he is fit and active — the tour pause is not a reflection of his condition.
Are The Rolling Stones touring in 2027?
Have any 2027 tour dates been announced?
- No official 2027 tour dates have been announced as of early 2025 (The Rolling Stones Official Website (band’s primary platform)).
- The band is reportedly focusing on recording a new album, according to industry sources.
What is the band’s current touring status?
- Past tours have been sporadic; a 2027 tour is possible but unconfirmed.
- Cancellation of the 2026 tour does not preclude a 2027 tour — the band could return when they are ready (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
If the band releases a new album in late 2025 or early 2026, a 2027 tour becomes more likely — but the final decision will rest on the members’ health and willingness to commit to another long road trip.
The trade-off: a new album would fuel demand for a tour, but the same health factors that led to the 2026 pause will still apply.
Timeline: key moments in the Rolling Stones’ story
- 1962 – The Rolling Stones formed (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- 1969 – Brian Jones dies; Mick Taylor joins (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- 1993 – Bill Wyman retires from band (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- 2021 – Charlie Watts dies (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- 2022 – ‘Sixty’ tour celebrates 60th anniversary.
- 2025 – 2026 tour cancelled; health updates surface (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
The pattern: the band’s history is marked by loss and resilience, with the core duo of Jagger and Richards enduring.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- 2026 tour has been cancelled (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
- Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are alive (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
- Ronnie Wood is a current touring member (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for tour cancellation (official statement vague).
- Keith Richards’ specific medical diagnosis.
- Whether a 2027 tour will occur.
- Mick Jagger’s dietary details are self-reported.
The bottom line: the confirmed facts outnumber the uncertainties, but the open questions center on health and scheduling, which only time will answer.
In their own words: quotes from the band
“Not this year, anyway.”
Keith Richards, as quoted by Relix (music magazine)
“The band had considered touring earlier in 2025 but could not finalize plans.”
A Rolling Stones representative, as quoted by Rolling Stone (music magazine)
“We could return to the stage when we are ready.”
Band source, as quoted by Variety (entertainment trade publication)
“I follow a mostly plant-based diet with lean proteins and avoid processed sugars.”
Mick Jagger, in self-reported interviews
The quotes show a band that is candid about its decisions but vague on specifics — a deliberate strategy that leaves fans guessing.
Summary: what the tour pause means for the band and its fans
The 2026 tour cancellation is not a retirement — it’s a recalibration. The Rolling Stones are still alive, still recording, and still capable of electrifying a stadium. But the decision to skip a year — driven by Keith Richards’ arthritis and the band’s collective preference for a manageable schedule — signals that the group is now operating on its own terms. For fans, the choice is clear: watch for a new album and hope for a 2027 tour, or accept that the Stones may never again commit to a long, multi-month run.
study.com, iorr.org, variety.com, en.wikipedia.org, hospitalitycentre.co.uk, youtube.com, facebook.com, xn--fiberleverantrer-ywb.se
Frequently asked questions
What year did the Rolling Stones form?
The Rolling Stones formed in 1962 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
Why did the Rolling Stones cancel their 2026 tour?
Multiple reports cite Keith Richards’ reluctance to commit to a long stadium tour, not an official health emergency (Variety (entertainment trade publication)).
Is Keith Richards seriously ill?
No. He has arthritis, but there is no confirmation of a life-threatening condition (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
Does Mick Jagger have a health condition?
No confirmed illness. He maintains fitness through diet and exercise.
What is Ronnie Wood’s current sobriety status?
Ronnie Wood has been reportedly sober since around 2011, and he remains a full touring member.
Are the Rolling Stones planning a new album?
Yes, the band is reportedly focusing on recording a new album, though no release date has been announced.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.