New Era: Judas Priest Announces 2026 Farewell Tour – ‘One Last Ride’ Marks the End of a Rock Legend’s Era | Dates and Cities Revealed
In a move that both electrified and saddened the global rock and heavy metal community, Judas Priest has officially announced their 2026 Farewell Tour, aptly titled “One Last Ride.” This final journey will mark the end of a legendary career that spans over five decades, cementing Judas Priest as one of the most influential and enduring metal bands of all time. As part of this monumental announcement, the band revealed an extensive list of tour dates and cities spanning North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.
The End of an Era
Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969, Judas Priest revolutionized heavy metal with their twin-guitar assault, soaring vocals, and leather-and-studs aesthetic. With classics like “Breaking the Law,” “Painkiller,” “Electric Eye,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” the band helped define the genre and inspired generations of metalheads and musicians alike. The 2026 One Last Ride tour will celebrate their unparalleled contributions to music, while offering fans around the world one final chance to experience their thunderous live performances.
In a heartfelt video posted on social media, frontman Rob Halford, known for his operatic vocal range and powerful stage presence, addressed fans directly:
> “This isn’t goodbye to the music, but it’s our way of saying thank you for an incredible journey. This band, our fans, our music—it’s been the ride of a lifetime. Let’s go out in flames, together.”
Full List of Announced Tour Dates and Cities
The One Last Ride Farewell Tour will kick off in April 2026 in North America and continue through November, with stops in over 40 cities worldwide. Here’s a look at the official list of dates and cities revealed so far:
North America (April–June 2026)
April 3 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
April 5 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
April 8 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
April 11 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
April 14 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
April 17 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
April 20 – Chicago, IL – United Center
April 23 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
April 26 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
April 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
May 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
May 6 – Washington, D.C. – Capital One Arena
May 10 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Europe (June–August 2026)
June 2 – London, UK – The O2 Arena
June 5 – Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena
June 8 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
June 11 – Paris, France – Accor Arena
June 15 – Berlin, Germany – Mercedes-Benz Arena
June 18 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome
June 21 – Milan, Italy – Mediolanum Forum
June 25 – Madrid, Spain – WiZink Center
June 28 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena
South America (August 2026)
August 8 – São Paulo, Brazil – Allianz Parque
August 11 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movistar Arena
August 14 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena
Asia and Australia (September–October 2026)
September 4 – Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome
September 7 – Osaka, Japan – Kyocera Dome
September 12 – Seoul, South Korea – Gocheok Sky Dome
September 18 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena
September 21 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena
Final Shows (November 2026)
November 1 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
November 7 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
November 14 – London, UK – Wembley Stadium (Final Show)
The London Wembley Stadium show on November 14, 2026, is expected to be the grand finale—a full-circle moment in the band’s hometown with special guest appearances, career-spanning setlists, and visual tributes to their five-decade legacy.
Legacy of a Metal Giant
Judas Priest’s farewell marks the conclusion of a remarkable story that began in the smoke-filled pubs of England and climbed to the summits of rock stardom. Their influence is seen in nearly every heavy metal band that followed, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Slipknot.
They’ve sold over 50 million records worldwide, won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2010, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. With albums like British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance, and Defenders of the Faith, their catalog is a cornerstone of metal history.
Rob Halford’s vocal power and openness as one of the first openly gay metal icons broke barriers in a genre long seen as hyper-masculine. Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner’s dual guitars carved some of the genre’s most iconic riffs, while bassist Ian Hill, the band’s lone continuous member, kept its pulse steady.
Farewell, But Not Forgotten
While the tour marks the band’s official retirement from large-scale touring, members have hinted that new music and one-off performances might still be possible in the future.
> “We’re not disappearing,” Tipton added in the same video. “But this is the last time we’ll tour like this. We want to go out while we still have fire in us—and give fans the Priest show they deserve.”
Fans worldwide are already flooding social media with emotional reactions, memories, and anticipation, with hashtags like #OneLastRide and #FarewellPriest trending globally.
Tickets and Presale Information
Tickets for the One Last Ride tour go on presale beginning July 15, 2025, with general sales starting July 20 via Ticketmaster and official band outlets. VIP packages, exclusive merch bundles, and a commemorative farewell tour box set will also be made available.
A special 4K remastered live concert documentary chronicling the tour, titled “Final Roar: The Last Ride of Judas Priest”, is also reportedly in production, set to premiere in early 2027 on Netflix.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 One Last Ride tour isn’t just a farewell—it’s a celebration. A salute to one of the greatest heavy metal bands ever to walk the earth. For fans who’ve followed them for decades, and for a new generation discovering their power for the first time, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to say goodbye in person.
As the curtain prepares to fall on Judas Priest’s extraordinary live legacy, one thing is certain: the echoes of
their music, their defiance, and their influence will never fade.
Long live the Metal Gods. One last ride. One eternal legacy.
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