Is Paul McCartney actually done touring? That’s the question everyone keeps asking. You’ve probably seen the headlines or the TikTok rumors. People love to speculate because, honestly, the man is 83. But if you’ve been following the paul mccartney concert schedule lately, you know that "slowing down" isn’t really in his vocabulary.
He just wrapped up a massive North American leg of the Got Back tour in late 2025. It was incredible. He hit cities like Albuquerque and Palm Desert for the first time ever. Then he ended the year with a bang at the United Center in Chicago. If you were there on November 25th, you saw him rip through 35 songs. 35! Most musicians half his age can’t do that.
The Reality of the Paul McCartney Concert Schedule in 2026
Right now, looking for confirmed 2026 dates is a bit of a waiting game. There’s a lot of chatter, but Sir Paul hasn't officially dropped a list of shows yet. That doesn't mean nothing is happening. Far from it.
He’s basically confirmed a new album is coming this year. In a recent chat, he literally said his 2025 highlight was the tour, but what excites him for 2026 is "my new album." Usually, for Macca, a new album means a new reason to get back on stage.
There are strong rumors about a UK and European leg. Fans in London and Manchester have been itching for more dates since his short stint there at the end of 2024. If history repeats itself—and with Paul, it often does—we might see him announce a string of summer stadium dates or perhaps some of those "phone-free" small venue shows he’s been loving lately. He mentioned how much he liked seeing the "whites of people's eyes" at places like the Bowery Ballroom.
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Why the 2025 Run Changed Everything
The 2025 leg of the Got Back tour was a pivot. He didn't just play the usual suspects like New York or LA. He went to:
- Tulsa, Oklahoma (BOK Center)
- Des Moines, Iowa (Casey’s Center)
- Hamilton, Ontario (TD Coliseum)
- Nashville, Tennessee (The Pinnacle)
This tells us something important about how he picks his schedule now. He’s looking for places he hasn't been in a while—or ever. If you’re waiting for a 2026 date in your city, don't assume he'll only hit the massive coastal hubs.
What to Expect If He Hits the Road Again
If you manage to snag tickets, the setlist is a beast. We're talking nearly three hours of music. He’s been opening with "Help!" or "Can't Buy Me Love" and closing with the Abbey Road medley. It’s a workout just watching him.
One of the most emotional parts of the recent shows has been the "virtual duet" with John Lennon during "I’ve Got a Feeling." Using the Peter Jackson tech from the Get Back documentary, Paul sings along with John’s isolated vocals from the rooftop concert. It’s eerie and beautiful. It's also a staple of his current stage setup, so expect that to stay.
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The Voice and the Vibe
Let's be real for a second. His voice has changed. It's a bit thinner, a little more "warbly" as some fans on Reddit put it. But does it matter? Not really. When 50,000 people are screaming "Hey Jude," you aren't checking for perfect pitch. You're participating in a cultural moment that won't last forever.
There’s also the Man on the Run documentary directed by Morgan Neville. That's hitting theaters and Prime Video in February 2026. This film focuses on his years with Wings. Why does this matter for the concert schedule? Because Paul is a master of cross-promotion. A big documentary release followed by a new album is the perfect storm for a tour announcement.
How to Actually Get Tickets (Without Losing Your Mind)
Whenever a new paul mccartney concert schedule drops, the internet breaks. Literally. The Chicago shows in November 2025 sold out almost instantly. If you want to be in the room in 2026, you have to be tactical.
- Sign up for the newsletter. Go to PaulMcCartney.com and register. This is where the presale codes live.
- Watch the "Man on the Run" window. Late February is a prime time for tour news to leak.
- Don't wait for the "Final Tour" label. He rarely calls anything a farewell tour. He just says "see you next time." If you have the chance to see him, take it.
Honestly, the tickets are expensive. Some VIP soundcheck packages for the United Center were going for over a thousand dollars. But for many, it’s a bucket list item. Seeing a Beatle in 2026 is a rare privilege.
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Keep an eye on secondary markets like Vivid Seats or Ticketmaster, but be wary of "speculative" listings. Some sites list dates before they are even announced. Only trust the official word from Paul’s camp.
The next few months will be telling. Between the Wings documentary and the teased studio album, the engine is definitely revving. We might not have a full calendar yet, but the signs point to Sir Paul being far from finished with the stage.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep your eyes on official social media channels during the last week of February 2026. This aligns with the Man on the Run release and is the most likely window for any "Surprise" show announcements or a formal summer tour reveal. If you are planning to travel, look into refundable hotel bookings in London or Liverpool for June—those are the high-probability "homecoming" spots for a potential European leg.