Rush Expands 2026 Fifty Something Reunion Tour with 18 New Shows

Rush will play 18 additional concerts as their surprise reunion tour keeps getting bigger and bigger

The legendary Canadian rock band Rush has expanded their 2026 “Fifty Something” reunion tour with 18 new concerts, bringing the total number of shows to 40. The tour marks the first time since 2015 that surviving members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will be touring together, joined by German drummer Anika Nilles, who replaces the late Neil Peart. Ticket sales began in October, with many shows selling out rapidly.

• Rush has added 18 additional concerts to their 2026 Fifty Something tour, expanding it to 40 total shows.
• The tour includes new stops in U.S. and Canadian cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, Edmonton, Montreal, Seattle, Vancouver, and Washington D.C.
• German drummer Anika Nilles joins Rush as the replacement for the late Neil Peart.
• Initial ticket sales started on October 17 with rapid sellouts; presales for new dates began October 27 and general sales on October 31.
• The tour runs from June 7, 2026, starting at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, and concludes December 17, 2026, in Vancouver.

Rush's much-anticipated 2026 reunion tour expands with 18 additional dates

Rush initially announced a 12-show lineup for their 2026 “Fifty Something” tour earlier in October, but overwhelming fan demand and sold-out shows compelled the band to add more concerts. The latest announcements include performances in cities that were not part of the original plan, such as Philadelphia, Boston, Montreal, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., among others. These added concerts broaden the band’s reach across North America and ensure more fans get a chance to experience Rush’s live performance.

Tour lineup and ticket information

The core lineup on the tour features bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson. Since the passing of their drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in 2020, Rush recruited acclaimed German drummer Anika Nilles as her replacement for live shows. Nilles, known for her powerful and technical drumming style, initially gained fame through viral YouTube videos and has toured with artists like Jeff Beck.

Each night of the tour is structured to have two separate sets, featuring distinct selections from a catalog of approximately 35 songs that include Rush’s greatest hits and fan favorites. This ensures a unique experience at every show and highlights the depth of the band’s extensive repertoire.

Rapid sellouts and presales

The original set of concerts, including multiple dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Toronto, saw tickets sell out immediately after going on general sale on October 17. Following this, artist presales for the newly added shows started on October 27, with general ticket sales opening on October 31 in the U.S. and Canada, and slightly earlier in Mexico. Special presales were available for Citi cardholders in the U.S. and American Express cardholders in Canada from October 24 through October 26.

Tour kickoff and final dates

The Reunion tour will commence on June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles — a venue that also hosted Rush’s last tour with Neil Peart in 2015. The tour will continue through various major cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, wrapping up on December 17, 2026, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC.

Band reflections and tribute to Neil Peart

In promotional materials and interviews, Geddy Lee expressed how much he and Lifeson have missed performing together since Neil Peart’s death. The “Fifty Something” tour is described as a celebration of the band’s five decades of music and a tribute to Peart’s extraordinary legacy as both drummer and lyricist. Peart’s widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and their daughter Olivia publicly expressed their support for the tour, praising the profound impact Neil had on fans and the music industry.

Anika Nilles: stepping into big shoes

At 42 years old, drummer Anika Nilles hails from Aschaffenburg, Germany, and has been drumming since childhood. Her original compositions like “Wild Boy” and “Alter Ego” earned her recognition and touring opportunities, including a European run with Jeff Beck in 2022. Fans can expect Nilles’s vibrant and technically proficient drumming to bring a fresh energy to Rush’s live performances while honoring Neil Peart’s iconic sound.

Background on Rush’s prior touring history

Before this reunion tour, Rush last toured together during their R40 Tour, which ended on August 1, 2015, at the Forum in Los Angeles. That milestone tour celebrated 40 years of Rush’s career and was the final tour to feature Neil Peart. Since then, Geddy Lee has worked on solo projects including a 2023 memoir titled “My Effin’ Life,” which received critical acclaim for its candid and humorous insights.

Detailed tour dates (newly added shows in bold)

• June 7–13: Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum (Sold out)
• June 18, 20: Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
• June 24–30: Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena (Sold out)
• July 16–22: Chicago, IL @ United Center (Sold out)
• July 28–Aug 3: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden (Sold out)
• Aug 7–13: Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena (Sold out)
• Aug 21, 23: Philadelphia, PA @ Xfinity Mobile Arena
• Aug 26, 28: Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena
• Sept 2, 4: Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
• Sept 12, 14: Boston, MA @ TD Garden
• Sept 17, 19: Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Arena (Sold out)
• Sept 23, 25: San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center
• Oct 5, 7: Denver, CO @ Ball Arena
• Oct 10, 12: Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
• Oct 15, 17: San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
• Oct 25, 27: Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
• Oct 30, Nov 1: Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
• Nov 5, 7: Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Live
• Nov 9, 11: Tampa, FL @ Benchmark Arena
• Nov 20, 22: Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
• Nov 25, 27: Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
• Dec 1, 3: Glendale, AZ @ Desert Diamond Arena
• Dec 10, 12: Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
• Dec 15, 17: Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena

Looking forward to a historic celebration

Rush’s “Fifty Something” tour promises to be a landmark event for the band’s devoted fan base and the rock community at large. The combination of Lee and Lifeson’s musicianship with Anika Nilles’s fresh energy sets the stage for powerful live performances of the band’s extensive catalog of hits. With a robust tour schedule spanning North America from June through December 2026, fans can expect to relive the legacy of Rush while embracing a new chapter in their storied history.

As Geddy Lee put it, this tour is a heartfelt tribute not only to the past but also an expression of the band’s enduring spirit and passion for music. The excitement surrounding the tour reflects the impact Rush has made over their long career, and the anticipation of hearing classic songs performed live once again is palpable.

*This article was written by Matt Levy, live events reporter, New York Post.*