Rush

Rush Announces Surprise 2026 ‘Fifty Something’ Tour Honoring Late Legend Neil Peart

ByBelinda Young

After an agonizingly long 11-year hiatus that left countless fans wondering if they’d ever witness phenomenal music magic again, Rush has officially announced their triumphant return to the stage. The Canadian prog-rock legends are gearing up for their “Fifty Something” tour in 2026, and really, it’s about time.

The Long-Awaited Return That Almost Never Happened

Let’s be real here – Rush fans have been through an emotional rollercoaster since the band’s last performance in August 2015 at the Forum in Los Angeles. When legendary drummer Neil Peart passed away in January 2020 after his private battle with brain cancer, many assumed that was it. Game over. The end of a prog era.

But Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson weren’t quite ready to hang up their instruments for good. After years of back-and-forth about whether they’d ever tour again (with Lifeson being particularly resistant), the duo has finally made the decision that Rush fans worldwide have been fervently praying for.

“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 f*cking miss it,” Lee stated in the announcement. And you know what? We f*cking missed it too.

Meet Anika Nilles: The Woman With the Impossible Job

Here’s where things get interesting – and potentially controversial. Rush has recruited uber-talented German drummer Anika Nilles to fill what might be the most intimidating drum stool in rock history. No pressure, right? Big drumsticks to fill.

Nilles, who’s previously worked with Jeff Beck and has built a reputation for handling complex time signatures (which, let’s face it, is totally Rush‘s calling card), has the unenviable task of following in Neil Peart’s drum-pedaled footsteps. It’s like being asked to replace Mozart or trying to fill Michael Jordan’s shoes – some things are simply irreplaceable.

But here’s the thing: Nilles isn’t trying to be Neil Peart. She’s bringing her own virtuosic style to the table, and that change might be exactly what Rush needs to move forward while still honoring their legendary past.

The Tour Details That Matter

The “Fifty Something” tour kicks off June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles – the exact same venue where Rush played their final show with Peart. It’s poetic, it’s emotional, and it’s going to be absolutely devastating – in the best possible way.

Here’s the complete* tour schedule:

  • June 7 & 9: Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum (both shows SOLD OUT)
  • June 11 & 13: Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum (both shows SOLD OUT)
  • June 18: Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes (SOLD OUT)
  • June 20: Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
  • June 24, 26, 28 & 30: Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena (all SOLD OUT)
  • July 16, 18, 20, & 22: Chicago, IL @ United Center (all SOLD OUT)
  • July 28 & 30: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden (both July dates SOLD OUT)
  • August 1 & 3: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden (both August dates SOLD OUT)
  • August 7, 9, 11, & 13: Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena (all Scotiabsnk shows SOLD OUT) 
  • August 21 & 23: Philadelphia, PA @ Xfinity Mobile Arena
  • August 26 & 28: Detroit, MI@ Little Caesar’s Arena
  • Sept. 2 & 4: Quebec, Canada @ Montreal Cell Centre
  • Sept. 12 & 14: Boston, MA @TD Garden
  • Sept. 17 & 19: Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Arena (both SOLD OUT)
  • Sept. 23 & 25: San Antonio, TX @ Frost Bank Center
  • October 5 & 7: Denver, CO @ Denver Ball Arena
  • October 10 & 12: Seattle, WA @ Climate Ledge Arena
  • October 15 & 17: San Jose, CA @ SAP Center
  • October 25 & 27: Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena
  • Oct. 30 & Nov. 1: Uncasville. CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
  • Nov. 5 & 7: Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live
  • Nov. 9 & 11: Tampa, FL @ Benchmark Int’l 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

* Update – because of the success and the staggering amount of tickets sold, Rush has added on more dates to their tour. It can no longer be called a mini tour! We have updated the schedule above – and posted when a show is sold out. Please check back for further updates.

Each show will feature two sets drawn from a pool of 35 songs, meaning no two concerts will be identical. For a band with Rush‘s extensive catalog, this approach makes perfect sense and gives fans multiple reasons to attend more than one show. (As if they need more reasons.)

Why This Tour Means Everything

This isn’t just another nostalgia cash grab (looking at you, every other classic rock reunion). The “Fifty Something” tour represents something deeper – it’s a celebration of 50+ years of Rush’s music and a proper tribute to Neil Peart’s incredible legacy.

Peart’s widow Carrie Nuttall-Peart and daughter Olivia have given their full blessing to the tour, stating they’re “thrilled to support the ‘Fifty Something’ tour” and emphasizing that Neil’s musicianship was “singular” and “irreplaceable.” Having the family’s endorsement removes any potential guilt fans might feel about seeing Rush without their beloved drummer.

The Emotional Weight of Moving Forward

Lee and Lifeson have been very transparent about their hesitation to tour again. After sporadic appearances at tribute shows (including memorable performances at the South Park 25th anniversary concert and Taylor Hawkins tributes), they’ve realized something crucial: their music definitely deserves to live on.

“We’re musicians and we’re players and our music is special,” Lifeson explained, acknowledging just how difficult Rush‘s catalog is to perform but also recognizing its incredible richness. The fact that they’re expanding beyond their traditional power trio format – potentially adding more musicians to handle some of the keyboard and bass duties – shows they’re serious about delivering the full Rush experience.

What Fans Can Expect

This won’t be some watered-down version of Rush. Lee and Lifeson, along with their longtime crew members, have been “hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of Rush show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us.” Translation: prepare for the full spectacle, complete with the intricate arrangements and technical prowess that made Rush legendary.

The timing coincides perfectly with the release of “Rush 50.” This is a comprehensive 50-track anthology that spans their entire career from their 1973 debut single through their final performance together.

The Bottom Line

Rush returning to the stage isn’t just good news – it’s essential. These songs, their arrangements, this musical legacy deserves to be experienced live by both longtime devotees and new generations of fans. Yes, it won’t be the same without Neil Peart’s thunderous drums and philosophical lyrics, but it will be Rush nonetheless.

After 11 years of waiting, wondering, and hoping, we’re finally getting the reunion we never thought we’d see. The “Fifty Something” tour promises to be both a celebration and a farewell, a tribute and a rebirth. For Rush fans who thought they’d never again experience the magic of “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” “Subdivisions,” or “Freewill” performed live, this tour represents nothing short of a miracle.

Tickets go on sale October 17, and if you’re a Rush fan, you already know what you need to do. This might be your last chance to witness some of the most astonishing rock history in the making.

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