U2 Announce Explosive 2026 Global Tribute Tour — Fans Say It’s Their Most Epic Comeback Yet! Larry Mullen Jr Talks About The Dates and Cities
In what’s being hailed as one of the biggest music announcements of the decade, U2 have officially revealed their 2026 Global Tribute Tour, marking a triumphant full-band return to the world stage — and the long-awaited comeback of legendary drummer Larry Mullen Jr. After years away due to health setbacks, Mullen is back behind the kit, ready to join Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton for what fans are already calling the band’s most emotional and explosive tour yet.
The announcement dropped this morning on U2’s official social media pages, accompanied by a cinematic teaser featuring clips from the band’s early days in Dublin, their record-breaking tours, and new rehearsal footage showing the four original members reunited in a studio. The tour, titled “U2: The Global Tribute Tour 2026 — The Sound That Changed the World,” will span over 60 cities across five continents, celebrating more than four decades of music, activism, and unity.
“This tour is about gratitude — for the fans, for the music, and for the road that brought us here,” said Larry Mullen Jr., speaking publicly for the first time since his recovery. “Being back with Bono, Edge, and Adam feels like coming home. The sound, the energy — it’s all there. And we can’t wait to share it again with the world.”
Tour Dates and Cities Revealed
The U2 2026 Global Tribute Tour will officially kick off on May 14, 2026, in Dublin, Ireland, the band’s birthplace, before crossing Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia. Each show promises to be a full-scale celebration of U2’s most defining moments — from The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby to their modern classics.
Confirmed Tour Dates (Phase 1):
- May 14–15 – Dublin, Ireland (Aviva Stadium)
- May 21 – London, England (Wembley Stadium)
- May 28 – Paris, France (Stade de France)
- June 4 – Berlin, Germany (Olympiastadion)
- June 11 – Rome, Italy (Stadio Olimpico)
- June 19 – Madrid, Spain (Estadio Metropolitano)
- July 3–4 – New York, USA (MetLife Stadium)
- July 11 – Toronto, Canada (Rogers Centre)
- July 18–19 – Chicago, USA (Soldier Field)
- July 25–26 – Los Angeles, USA (SoFi Stadium)
- August 2 – Mexico City, Mexico (Foro Sol)
- August 15 – São Paulo, Brazil (Allianz Parque)
- September 5 – Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome)
- September 20 – Sydney, Australia (Accor Stadium)
More international dates are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, including stops in Cape Town, Buenos Aires, and Singapore, making it one of the band’s most extensive tours in two decades.
Larry Mullen Jr. Returns to the Stage
For fans, the most emotional part of the announcement is the confirmed return of Larry Mullen Jr., who sat out U2’s 2023–2024 Las Vegas Sphere Residency while recovering from multiple back and neck surgeries. His absence had left a noticeable void in the band’s rhythm and chemistry.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to tour again,” Mullen admitted. “But the band waited for me. The fans waited for me. That means everything. I’ve spent months rebuilding my strength, and now I’m ready. This tour — it’s my thank you to everyone who never stopped believing.”
A Celebration of Legacy and Rebirth
According to Bono, this tour will serve both as a tribute to U2’s legacy and a fresh chapter in their musical evolution. “We’re not just looking back — we’re looking forward,” he said. “This is about rediscovering the power of live music and the connection that only happens between a band and its audience. We’re celebrating the people who made U2 possible — the fans.”
The Edge teased that the shows will feature an entirely new stage design, blending U2’s signature grandeur with intimate storytelling. “It’ll be immersive, but human,” he explained. “Technology has always been part of what we do, but this time, we’re focusing on emotion — the moments that made people fall in love with these songs.”
Fans React with Overwhelming Excitement
Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement, with hashtags like #U2GlobalTributeTour and #LarryIsBack trending worldwide. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “U2 with Larry back on drums? This is the comeback we’ve all been waiting for.”
Tickets go on sale December 1, 2025, with exclusive early access for U2.com members beginning November 25. VIP experiences, limited-edition tour merchandise, and special charity partnerships will also be unveiled closer to the launch.
As Larry Mullen Jr. summed it up perfectly:
“After all these years, the music still means everything. And this tour — it’s our way of saying, thank you, world. We’re still here. We’re still U2.”
With the full band reunited and a monumental world tour ahead, U2’s 2026 Global Tribute Tour promises to be more than a concert series — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of resilience, unity, and the enduring power of rock ’n’ roll.