Carrie Underwood Confirms No 2026 Tour Plans

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood has delivered some disappointing, though not entirely unexpected, news to her fans: she will not be headlining a tour in 2026. Underwood made the announcement during a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where she was joined by her fellow American Idol judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. As the trio chatted with host Jimmy Kimmel about their plans for the upcoming year, Underwood’s response to the inevitable touring question was as direct as it was definitive.

When Kimmel asked Underwood if she had any plans to hit the road, she replied with a firm, "No! Nah. I’ll go see them," referring to Bryan and Richie, both of whom have tour plans of their own. According to Country Now, Bryan has announced his Word On The Street Tour beginning May 29, 2026, while Richie is gearing up for the Earth, Wind & Fire: Sing A Song All Night Long Tour throughout the year. Underwood, on the other hand, is opting for a different pace this year, and her fans will have to wait a bit longer for another full-scale headlining run.

So, why is one of country music’s biggest stars taking a break from touring? The answer lies in Underwood’s packed schedule and shifting priorities. As reported by Taste of Country, Underwood’s life has become a balancing act between her career and her family. In addition to being a mother to two young boys, she’s a wife, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and a key figure on the latest season of American Idol. Her role as a judge on the iconic singing competition keeps her calendar full, especially with the show’s 24th season introducing some major changes.

This season, American Idol is moving its beloved Hollywood Week from California to Nashville, Tennessee, specifically to the campus of Belmont University. The switch to Music City is a significant shift, and, according to Bryan on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, it’s something he’s been pushing for over eight years. Underwood’s addition to the judging panel last year finally gave the team the star power needed to make it happen. Underwood herself joked, "They didn’t scare me off, so we’re back at it," and she expressed her excitement to help guide the next generation of aspiring performers. "Hopefully I have some wisdom having been in their shoes that I can impart on them and help them along in that way. But it is the Idol University this year. That’s kind of our theme," Underwood said, as quoted by Country Now.

While Underwood won’t be embarking on a sprawling tour, she isn’t disappearing from the stage entirely. Fans will still have opportunities to catch her live at select events. According to Country Now and Country 103.7 FM, she’s slated to perform at the Wildlands Festival in Park, Montana, on August 1, and the Velocity Music Festival in Dyersville, Iowa, on September 5. She’s also set to appear in Nashville as part of Alan Jackson’s final career show, "Last Call: One More For the Road – The Finale," this summer. There are a few additional one-off headline shows sprinkled throughout the year, but these are a far cry from the coast-to-coast spectacle fans have come to expect from a Carrie Underwood tour.

Underwood’s decision to step back from touring isn’t without precedent. After completing her Denim & Rhinestones Tour—which ran from October 15, 2022, through March 17, 2023—she shifted her focus to a lighter schedule. As Taste of Country notes, Underwood anchored herself in Las Vegas for an extended residency titled "Reflections," which wrapped up in April 2025 after three years. This residency, along with selective festival appearances and standalone concerts, proved that Underwood’s star power is strong enough to draw fans to her, rather than requiring her to crisscross the country.

There’s also a practical side to Underwood’s decision. She hasn’t released a new full-length album since 2022’s Denim & Rhinestones. Touring is often tied to album promotion, and with no new material to showcase just yet, a large-scale tour simply doesn’t fit the current moment. Industry observers, including Country 103.7 FM, speculate that Underwood may be focusing on creating new music in 2026. Once a new album is ready, fans can likely expect her to return to the road with the kind of energy and spectacle she’s known for.

In the meantime, Underwood’s professional plate remains full. Beyond her work on American Idol, she continues to endorse her Fit52 fitness app, which launched in 2020 and has achieved considerable success. She’s also the unmistakable voice of NFL Sunday Night Football and the founder of the C.A.T.S. Foundation, which supports her hometown community in areas such as education, animal welfare, and local services. Underwood’s entrepreneurial spirit has kept her in the public eye, even as her touring schedule has slowed.

For fans who are disappointed by the lack of a 2026 tour, there’s some consolation in knowing that Underwood isn’t stepping away from music or public life. Her appearances at festivals, special events, and on television ensure that she remains a visible and influential figure in country music. And with American Idol returning for its 24th season—premiering January 26, 2026, on ABC and Hulu—viewers can expect to see plenty of Underwood as she helps shape the future of the genre she helped redefine.

It’s no secret that balancing a multi-faceted career with family life is a tall order, even for someone as seasoned as Underwood. Her ability to pivot between roles—pop star, judge, mom, entrepreneur, and philanthropist—demonstrates both her versatility and her commitment to doing things on her own terms. As she told Jimmy Kimmel Live! viewers, she’s happy to support her fellow judges’ tours from the audience this year. Fans, meanwhile, will have to be patient and keep their eyes peeled for that next big tour announcement—whenever it comes.

For now, Carrie Underwood’s focus is on nurturing new talent, spending time with her family, and continuing to innovate off the road. While 2026 won’t bring a tour, it’s clear that Underwood’s presence in country music—and in the hearts of her fans—remains as strong as ever.