Ten years after their last tour and five years after drummer Neil Peart’s death, Rush has announced a reunion tour with their new drummer, something fans had least expected. 2026 summer will see the rockstars play twelve shows across seven cities in North America!
Canadian rockers Rush had their final concert, the ‘R40 Live Tour’, 10 years ago in 2015. Five years later, the band witnessed the tragic death of drummer Neil Peart from glioblastoma. This March, they released the greatest hits collection “Rush 50”, which ends with the songs played on tour.
Fans wouldn’t expect a reunion at this point, but maybe, much like their unconventional sound, they chose to go that way with their decision this time.
Fast-forward to June 2026. We are going to see our favorite rockstars get back on stage once again – yes, you read that right!
On the drums will be award-winning producer-composer Anika Nilles, who has previously toured with Jeff Beck. The “Fifty Something” Tour celebrates “50 plus years of Rush Music, their legacy”, and honours late bandmate Neil Peart, as reads Rush’s official website. Kicking off with two nights at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on June 7 and 9, the tour will hit seven cities across North America.
Kia Forum is the same venue Rush had played their last show of their last tour at, on August 1st, 2015.
The tour itinerary further goes – one night in Mexico City, followed by a couple of nights in four cities – Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, and Toronto, before finally concluding with Cleveland (September 17th). Check out the full tour dates below.
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“How do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?” Laments Lee on Bandmate’s Death
Lee had formerly talked about the tour being a “very difficult decision”, not only because of the efforts but also with the “devastating” loss of drummer Neil Peart. “It was a very sad time, and it took time for us to even contemplate,” he had said. “And how do you replace someone who is irreplaceable?” were Lee’s exact words.
“No matter who the drummer is, they all have their own perception of what it’s like to play a Rush song, and they may not line up with the way we play Rush songs,” Lee said. “So whoever we were going to choose was going to be difficult, and there was going to be a translation.”
As Lee and Lifeson also point out, it was when they were just casually jamming on Rush’s songs together that this “dispelled the dark clouds” and the reunion idea first crept in.
Geddy Lee’s Press Statement
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend, Neil. A lifetime’s worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording, and playing together onstage. And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of RUSH music. So in 2026 my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of RUSH songs in a handful of cities. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.”
“Yet life is full of surprises…and we have been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey. Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated RUSH fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role.”
“Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps. … Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of Rush show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together.”
Rush: Fifty Something (2026) Tour Dates
Sun Jun 7, Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Tue Jun 9, Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
Thu Jun 18, Mexico City, MX Palacio de los Deportes
Wed Jun 24, Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Fri Jun 26, Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
Thu Jul 16, Chicago, IL United Center
Sat Jul 18, Chicago, IL United Center
Tue Jul 28, New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Thu Jul 30, New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Fri Aug 7, Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Sun Aug 9, Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Thu Sep 17, Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena
Click here for the official list of tour dates!
