You've probably seen the frantic tweets or the TikToks of fans panicking about their tickets. It’s the same old story: a massive artist announces a world-dominating tour, life happens, and suddenly everyone is asking is the Weeknd concert still happening or if they should start looking into refund procedures.
The short answer? Yes. But it’s a bit more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no" depending on where exactly you are on the map.
Abel Tesfaye, the man we’ve known as The Weeknd for a decade, is currently in the middle of a massive transitional period. He’s closing the chapter on his stage name while simultaneously trying to finish one of the highest-grossing R&B tours in history. The After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour has been running in various forms since 2022, and it has finally stretched its legs into 2026 with a series of massive international dates.
What’s the deal with the 2026 schedule?
Honestly, the tour is more active now than it has been in months. After a lot of silence following the North American and initial European legs, a huge extension was officially confirmed. We’re looking at a serious run through Mexico, Brazil, and a return to Europe and the UK throughout the spring and summer of 2026.
If you’re in Mexico City, the shows at Estadio GNP Seguros are very much on for April 20 and 21. Brazil is also safe, with Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo dates locked in for late April and early May.
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But there’s been some drama.
The Lisbon Cancellation and Market Shifts
It isn't all sold-out stadiums and smooth sailing. Just recently, news broke that the Lisbon concerts scheduled for September 2026 at Estádio do Restelo were scrapped. Reportedly, ticket sales didn't hit the marks promoters were looking for, which is pretty wild considering how fast his shows usually sell out. It’s a rare "L" for the XO crew, but it serves as a reminder that even superstars aren't immune to local market shifts or economic weirdness.
This specific cancellation has fueled a lot of the "is the Weeknd concert still happening" rumors. If one show goes, people assume the whole house of cards is falling. That’s just not the case here. The rest of the 2026 leg, including the massive London Wembley Stadium dates in August and the Madrid finale, are still very much a go.
Who is opening for Abel this time?
The 2026 leg isn't just a solo mission. Abel is bringing some heavy hitters along to keep the energy up.
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- Anitta: The Brazilian powerhouse is handling the opening duties for the Mexico and Brazil shows. This makes a ton of sense given their recent collaboration "São Paulo."
- Playboi Carti: For the UK and European dates, Carti is expected to bring his chaotic "Opium" energy to the stage.
Adding these names suggests that the tour isn't winding down; it’s actually scaling up. You don't book Playboi Carti if you're planning on phoning it in for a final few dates.
Why people are actually worried
Most of the confusion comes from Abel himself. He’s been very vocal about "killing off" The Weeknd persona. With the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow, he’s completing the trilogy that started with After Hours and Dawn FM.
Fans are naturally worried that if he transitions to "Abel Tesfaye" officially, the "Weeknd" concerts will just... stop. But from a business perspective, he has a tour to finish. He’s even mentioned in interviews that he has to keep the persona alive long enough to fulfill his touring obligations. Basically, the brand "The Weeknd" is the one on the contract with Live Nation, so you’re going to get a Weeknd show regardless of how he feels about his stage name right now.
Is the Weeknd concert still happening in Australia?
This is the sore spot. The Australia and New Zealand leg has been the biggest "will they, won't they" of the decade. Originally postponed in late 2023 due to "unforeseen circumstances," fans have been left in a bit of a limbo.
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While the 2026 extension focuses heavily on Latin America and Europe, there is still chatter about a potential late-2026 or early-2027 run for Oceania. Nothing is set in stone yet, which is frustrating for everyone holding onto hope (or old tickets). If you're in Sydney or Melbourne, you're essentially playing a waiting game while the rest of the world gets their dates.
Practical Steps for Ticket Holders
If you have tickets or are planning to buy them, here is the "non-corporate" advice on how to handle this:
- Check the Official Tour Site: Don't rely on random Facebook event pages. Go to
theweeknd.com/tour. If it's not there, it's probably not happening. - Verify via Ticketmaster/Live Nation: If your specific date is still showing as "Active" on the primary seller's site, the concert is still happening.
- Watch the "Lisbon Effect": If you're in a smaller European market, keep an eye on local news. The Lisbon cancellation happened because of specific local demand issues. Major hubs like London, Paris, and Milan are generally much "safer" bets for the show actually taking place.
- Presale Caution: If you're buying for the 2026 dates, use a credit card with good buyer protection. It’s a long time to wait, and a lot can change in the world of live music between now and then.
The reality is that is the Weeknd concert still happening depends entirely on your city. For the vast majority of the 2026 schedule, it's full steam ahead. The production is rumored to be even more elaborate than the 2023 version, incorporating more tracks from Hurry Up Tomorrow and a revamped stage design that reflects his "rebirth" as Abel.
Keep your notifications on for the official XO accounts. That’s where the real news breaks first. If a show gets pulled, they’ll announce it there before it hits the tabloids. For now, keep your outfits ready and your "Blinding Lights" choreo practiced.
To ensure you don't miss out, verify your specific city's status on the official Ticketmaster artist page and sign up for the XO fan club mailing list for real-time schedule changes.