More than a decade after their final show, Rush are officially returning to the stage. Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have announced a 2026 North American reunion tour titled Fifty Something — their first performances as Rush since the death of drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in 2020.
The news comes months after the release of Rush 50, a career-spanning collection that many believed would serve as the band’s final word. But now, Rush are preparing for a new chapter — one that celebrates their legacy and honors Peart’s memory.
A Triumphant Return
The Fifty Something tour will launch June 7 and 9, 2026, with two shows at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles — the same venue where Rush played their final concert in 2015. The tour will visit seven North American cities, including Mexico City, Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Toronto, and Cleveland, where the band will close the run on September 17.
Drumming duties will be handled by Anika Nilles, an acclaimed German musician who has toured with Jeff Beck and released four solo albums. Nilles joins Lee and Lifeson with the blessing of Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, Neil’s widow and daughter, who expressed full support for the reunion.
“We are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour,” they said in a joint statement. “It’s a celebration of Rush’s music, legacy, and Neil’s extraordinary life. We’re excited to see this new chapter unfold.”
The Decision to Return
The announcement was made during a private event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Lee and Lifeson surprised attendees midway through a casual onstage interview when Lee said, “I kind of think that we should tour next year.”
At first, the audience thought it was a joke. When they realized he was serious, they erupted in applause.
Lee admitted that returning to the stage was a “very difficult decision,” given the emotional weight of Peart’s loss and the challenge of finding a new drummer.
“It was a very sad time, and it took us a while to even contemplate it,” Lee said. “How do you replace someone who’s irreplaceable?”
The turning point came when Lee and Lifeson began casually jamming again.
“We were laughing so hard,” Lee recalled. “Playing those songs again just lifted the dark clouds.”
Finding a New Drummer
Nilles came to the band’s attention through Lee’s bass tech, John “Skully” McIntosh, who had worked with Jeff Beck. Intrigued, Lee and Lifeson invited her to Canada for an informal jam session — not an audition, but an experiment. The chemistry was immediate.
“It’s never easy to play Rush songs,” Lee said. “Everyone approaches them differently. But Anika understood the feel and the spirit right away.”
The band also plans to add a keyboard player to give Lee and Lifeson more space onstage. “Alex loves to dance,” Lee joked, prompting laughter from the Cleveland crowd.
Rush expects to prepare 35–36 songs for the tour to keep the setlists fresh. While three-hour marathons are unlikely, Lee confirmed fans can expect shows lasting over two hours, with multiple tributes to Peart every night.
Honoring Neil Peart
Lee emphasized that the tour is not about replacing Peart or reinventing Rush but about honoring their shared legacy.
“Our idea isn’t to be Rush 2.0,” he said. “We want to pay homage to our music, to Neil, and to our fans who’ve supported us for 50 years.”
In a press statement, Lee added:
“After all that has happened since our last show, Alex and I realized we miss it. It’s time to celebrate over 50 years of Rush music. Neil was irreplaceable, but life brings surprises. We’ve met an incredible drummer in Anika Nilles, and we’re thrilled to share this next chapter with our fans.”
2026 Tour Dates
Rush: Fifty Something Tour
- June 7 & 9 — Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
- June 18 — Mexico City, MX — Palacio de los Deportes
- June 24 & 26 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
- July 16 & 18 — Chicago, IL — United Center
- July 28 & 30 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
- August 7 & 9 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena
- September 17 — Cleveland, OH — Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Ticket Information
Fans can register for the artist presale before October 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Artist presale: Opens October 13 at noon local time (U.S. and Canada) and October 16 at noon (Mexico).
- General sale: Begins October 17 at noon local time (U.S. and Canada) and 11 a.m. local (Mexico).
Additional presales include:
- Citi (U.S.) – October 10–12 via citientertainment.com
- American Express (Canada) – October 10–12 for Toronto dates
- Banamex (Mexico City) – October 13–15, times vary by card type
A Celebration, Not a Farewell
Lee and Lifeson stress that the Fifty Something tour is a celebration, not a farewell. They hope to honor their late bandmate while reconnecting with generations of fans who have kept Rush’s music alive.
“We want to celebrate the songs, the memories, and the fans,” Lee said. “Neil will be with us every night.”
