Classic rock fans in North America are in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as two legendary bands—AC/DC and Journey—gear up for major tours in 2026, each promising to deliver both nostalgia and high-voltage live performances. With both groups boasting decades-long careers and a string of iconic hits, their upcoming tours are already generating a frenzy of anticipation among longtime followers and new listeners alike.
According to MassLive, AC/DC, the Australian rock powerhouse known for its electrifying stage presence and timeless anthems, has officially announced the North American leg of its 2026 “Power Up” tour. The 21-date trek is set to launch on Tuesday, February 24, in São Paulo, Brazil, before winding through major cities like Atlanta, Toronto, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 7, 2025, via Ticketmaster, but eager fans can secure their spots early through trusted third-party vendors such as StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek. There’s even a perk for new VividSeats customers: a $20 discount on orders over $200 with the promo code MassLive20.
The current AC/DC lineup features co-founder Angus Young on lead guitar, the ever-charismatic Brian Johnson on vocals, Stevie Young (nephew of late co-founder Malcolm Young) on rhythm guitar, Matt Laug on drums, and Chris Chaney on bass. This iteration of the band is ready to celebrate both their enduring legacy and their latest studio album, “Power Up,” released in 2020. Fans can expect to hear a mix of fresh material and crowd-pleasing classics like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Live Wire.”
AC/DC’s journey began with their first show on December 31, 1973, and over the years, they’ve sold an estimated 200 million albums worldwide. Their influence on the genre was cemented with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. This tour, spanning from February through September 2026, marks yet another milestone in a career that’s shaped the sound of rock for generations.
If that weren’t enough to set hearts racing, Journey, another titan of classic rock, has announced what they’re calling the “Final Frontier Tour”—a farewell celebration of more than five decades of music. As reported by multiple outlets, including Syracuse.com and MLive, Journey’s 60-date tour will crisscross the U.S. and Canada, kicking off on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The band will make notable stops at venues like Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before closing out at Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas, on Thursday, July 2.
Tickets for Journey’s tour go on sale Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time through Ticketmaster, AXS, and the band’s official website, journeymusic.com. Presale opportunities begin Tuesday, November 11, at 10 a.m. for Citi card members, and—given the band’s enduring popularity—fans are encouraged to check SeatGeek, VividSeats, and StubHub for additional ticket options. The Buffalo show, scheduled for June 10 at KeyBank Center, is being billed as “A Special Evening With,” indicating there will be no opening acts—just Journey and their fans, up close and personal.
Journey’s lineup for this historic run includes founding guitarist Neal Schon, Arnel Pineda on lead vocals (who’s carried the torch since 2007), Jonathan Cain on keyboards and backing vocals, Jason Derlatka on keyboards and vocals, Deen Castronovo on drums and vocals, and Todd Jensen on bass. The setlist will span their greatest hits, from “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Any Way You Want It” to “Faithfully,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” and “Open Arms.”
Reflecting on the significance of the tour, Neal Schon told Syracuse.com, “This tour is our heartfelt thank-you to the fans who’ve been with us every step of the way—through every song, every era, every high and low. We’re pulling out all the stops with a brand-new production—the hits, the deep cuts, the energy, the spectacle. It’s a full-circle celebration of the music that’s brought us all together.”
But is this truly the end of the road for Journey? Schon added, “While this marks a farewell to one powerful chapter of the Journey we’ve shared, I want everyone to know I’m not done. Music is still burning strong inside me, and there are new creative horizons ahead. This tour is both a thank-you and the beginning of what’s next.” The press release referred to the tour as a “final curtain call,” though Variety noted Schon has hinted that more dates could be added in 2027. Fellow bandmate Jonathan Cain echoed the sentiment of gratitude, saying, “We’ve shared our music with millions and this tour is about gratitude, connection and one last chance to feel that magic together. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Arnel Pineda, who stepped into the formidable shoes of original singer Steve Perry, expressed his appreciation: “I’m honored to be part of this legacy and I’m grateful for having been welcomed with such open arms. Every night on stage has been a dream come true.”
Both tours represent a rare convergence of rock history—AC/DC and Journey, each with their own distinct style and legacy, offering fans the kind of live experience that’s become increasingly precious in the digital age. While AC/DC’s tour is a testament to their staying power and ability to reinvent themselves, Journey’s run is tinged with the bittersweet emotion of a possible farewell, even as the band leaves the door open for future creative endeavors.
For fans, the message is clear: whether you’re looking to relive the thunderous riffs of “Highway to Hell” or belt out the chorus to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” 2026 will be a year to remember. With tickets already in high demand and the promise of unforgettable performances, these tours are poised to be the live music events of the year—perhaps even the decade.
As the lights dim and the first chords ring out in stadiums across North America, audiences will be reminded that while time marches on, the power of rock and roll endures—louder, prouder, and more unifying than ever before.
