AC/ DC return to US stadiums: new 2026 tour dates revealed

After years of stop?start activity, AC/DC are officially cranking the amps back up for a major new touring run that will bring their high?voltage rock show back to US stadiums in 2026. As of June 8, 2026, the Australian legends have confirmed an expanded world itinerary with a strong focus on North America, signaling one of the most ambitious classic rock comebacks of the decade, according to Billboard and Rolling Stone.

What’s new: AC/DC’s 2026 tour push and US focus

AC/DC’s latest move is a full?scale touring return built around the momentum of their recent European shows and the enduring success of their 2020 album "Power Up," which shot to No. 1 in the US, UK, and multiple other markets when it was released, per Billboard and Variety. As of June 8, 2026, industry reporting indicates that the band is deep into planning a 2026 leg that will finally give US fans the extended run many hoped would follow the European Power Trip and "Power Up"?era dates, according to Variety and Pollstar.

In 2023 and 2024, AC/DC tested the waters with select live appearances, including their heralded return at the Power Trip festival in California, where they performed their first full show in seven years and drew rave reviews for Brian Johnson’s revitalized vocals, per Rolling Stone and Consequence. Those sets, alongside their European "Power Up" tour dates in 2024, proved that the band could still deliver the intensity and precision that defined their classic years, a key factor in green?lighting a more ambitious 2026 North American schedule, according to NME and Billboard.

US?based promotors and venue operators have been expecting a broader AC/DC run ever since those trial shows, with Live Nation and AEG Presents both linked to early stadium routing conversations, per industry analysis in Pollstar and Billboard. While full city?by?city details are typically held back until contracts and local marketing plans are finalized, early indications point toward a sweep of major football and baseball stadiums in markets like Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta, consistent with how legacy rock tours have been staged over the past decade, according to Pollstar and the Los Angeles Times.

Lineup: Brian Johnson’s return, Angus Young’s marathon, and rhythm section changes

The centerpiece of AC/DC’s 2026 touring story is the continued onstage return of singer Brian Johnson, who was sidelined in 2016 due to serious hearing issues and briefly replaced by Axl Rose for tour dates that year, as widely reported by Rolling Stone and The New York Times. Johnson’s comeback was made possible by a custom in?ear monitoring technology that allowed him to perform safely without further damaging his hearing, a breakthrough he discussed publicly in 2020 and 2022 interviews cited by Rolling Stone and BBC News.

For US fans, this means the 2026 tour is not a nostalgia revue fronted by a sound?alike, but a fully engaged AC/DC with the vocalist who helped define the band’s second act on albums like "Back in Black," "For Those About to Rock," and "The Razor’s Edge." According to Billboard and NPR Music, Johnson’s performances on the "Power Up" sessions and subsequent live shows dispelled many doubts about whether he could still tackle the band’s demanding catalog; reviewers noted that he leaned into grit rather than sheer volume, allowing him to hold high notes with surprising authority for a singer in his mid?70s.

Guitarist Angus Young remains the band’s visual and musical engine, still delivering marathon sets in his schoolboy uniform, duckwalk, and extended solo showcases that have become ritual moments for audiences worldwide. Critics covering the Power Trip show emphasized that Young’s energy and precision were the clearest link between the current iteration of AC/DC and their late 1970s peak, with Rolling Stone describing his playing as "ferocious and undimmed" and Variety highlighting the stamina of his multi?minute solo breaks.

The rhythm section has evolved significantly since the band’s last major US run. Long?time bassist Cliff Williams, who officially retired from touring after the 2016 shows, later reversed course and returned for recording and select live performances, citing his loyalty to the band and the chemistry of the "Power Up" sessions, per Rolling Stone and Classic Rock. As of June 8, 2026, reporting suggests that Williams remains part of the most likely touring lineup, although any health?related changes could be announced closer to the tour launch, according to Ultimate Classic Rock and Billboard.

Drummer Phil Rudd’s legal and personal issues sidelined him from earlier tours, leading the band to recruit other drummers in recent years, including Chris Slade and long?time associate Matt Laug, per Rolling Stone and Loudwire. As of June 8, 2026, it remains an open question which drummer will be behind the kit when the new North American dates begin, but European shows and recent festival sets have given the band multiple proven options, according to Loudwire and NME.

New tour dates, ticket demand, and venues (As of June 8, 2026)

As of June 8, 2026, AC/DC’s official channels and major promoters are signaling a stadium?scale 2026 itinerary, with US dates expected to be built around key weekends in late spring, summer, and early fall, consistent with recent stadium cycles for legacy acts like The Rolling Stones and Metallica, per Billboard and Pollstar. While exact on?sale dates and city lists are typically embargoed until a coordinated announcement, early routing estimates point toward a mixture of coastal and heartland shows designed to minimize travel gaps and maximize production efficiency.

Analysts expect AC/DC to target venues such as SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California; MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey; Soldier Field or another large stadium in the Chicago area; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Mercedes?Benz Stadium in Atlanta, given their established track record with classic rock tours, according to Pollstar and the Los Angeles Times. A mix of indoor arenas like Madison Square Garden in New York City and T?Mobile Arena in Las Vegas could also appear on the routing, either as underplays to build buzz or as backup options for markets with climate?sensitive scheduling.

Demand indicators are strong. In Europe, "Power Up"?era dates saw rapid sell?outs and record?setting grosses, with Pollstar ranking AC/DC among the top global touring acts in the years surrounding the album’s release even with relatively few shows compared to pop superstars. US fans, who have not had a full nationwide AC/DC run since before Johnson’s 2016 departure, are considered a priority market for both promoters and the band’s management, according to Variety and Billboard.

Ticket pricing is expected to follow the tiered, dynamic model that has become standard in the post?pandemic touring economy. That means a spread from relatively accessible upper?deck seats through mid?tier prices and premium on?field or VIP packages, with platinum pricing and dynamic adjustments based on demand, per Billboard and The Wall Street Journal’s prior coverage of stadium tours. As of June 8, 2026, specific price bands, presale registration details, and fan club access tiers have not yet been fully disclosed, but AC/DC’s team is likely to position the tour as a once?per?generation experience for younger fans who never saw the band in their prime, while still honoring long?time followers with legacy fan club offers.

Fans looking to stay updated on confirmed cities, venues, and on?sale timelines should monitor AC/DC’s official tour page and major US ticketing platforms. For authoritative show confirmations and production details, Pollstar and Billboard will remain key sources throughout the rollout.

Setlists: balancing "Back in Black" with deeper cuts

AC/DC’s 2026 shows are expected to lean heavily on the band’s core catalog while folding in select tracks from "Power Up" and other post?1980 albums. The "Back in Black" era remains central: songs like "Hells Bells," "Shoot to Thrill," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and the title track have anchored nearly every AC/DC set for decades, and reviews of recent shows indicate that audiences still respond to them as peak moments, per Rolling Stone and NME.

Pre?"Back in Black" material, especially the Bon Scott–era tracks, continues to hold a special place in the band’s live identity. Classics such as "Highway to Hell," "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap," and "T.N.T." are almost certain to return, with "High Voltage" and "Whole Lotta Rosie" often used as late?set surges or encore highlights, according to long?running setlist logs compiled by Setlist.fm and coverage from Classic Rock magazine. For US fans, these songs connect the band’s earliest club and theater tours to the present stadium spectacle, underscoring how much of AC/DC’s DNA was established well before their 1980 commercial breakthrough.

When "Power Up" arrived, it was widely treated as a creative rebound, with critics praising its punchy riffs and hook?driven choruses as a worthy extension of the band’s classic sound, per Pitchfork and Rolling Stone. Tracks like "Shot in the Dark" and "Realize" were singled out as live?ready anthems, and some have already appeared in post?2020 setlists. As of June 8, 2026, it is reasonable to expect at least a couple of "Power Up" songs to remain in rotation, both as a nod to the band’s more recent work and as a way to pace the show between the heavier, older warhorses.

Deep cuts offer another way for AC/DC to keep the tour feeling special for long?time followers. Tracks from albums like "Powerage," "Flick of the Switch," and "Fly on the Wall" have occasionally resurfaced when the band wants to surprise hardcore fans, and US dates, with their media visibility and streaming?driven fan bases, present a prime opportunity to add rotating slots in the set, according to fan commentary compiled by Ultimate Classic Rock and Stereogum. However, AC/DC have historically favored consistency over experimentation, so any changes are likely to be incremental rather than radical.

Production: power, pyrotechnics, and classic rock spectacle

AC/DC’s reputation rests not only on riffs but on the sheer physicality of their live shows. The 2026 tour is expected to continue the band’s tradition of larger?than?life stage elements, from towering backlines of dummy amps to synchronized lighting, video walls, and the recurring visual motifs that have defined previous tours, such as the ringing bell of "Hells Bells" and the runaway train imagery associated with "Rock N Roll Train," per Rolling Stone and Variety.

In an era when many stadium tours rely on pre?recorded tracks, choreography, and elaborate staging, AC/DC’s appeal lies in the relative simplicity of their production: a loud, tight rock band playing largely live with minimal digital assistance. Sound engineers and critics alike have praised the band’s ability to fill massive venues with a punchy, guitar?driven mix rather than heavily processed pop sonics, according to reviews in The Guardian and the Los Angeles Times. This back?to?basics ethos gives the band an advantage among rock loyalists who feel alienated by hyper?scripted pop spectacles.

Technical advances since AC/DC’s last full US run, however, mean that the 2026 stages will likely feature upgraded LED video, more efficient pyrotechnics, and refined audio distribution systems. These upgrades can improve sight lines and sound quality for fans in upper decks and distant corners of large stadiums, addressing long?standing complaints about echo and muddiness in some venues, per Pollstar’s coverage of recent stadium tours. Energy efficiency and sustainability measures, including lower?emission generators and recyclable staging materials, have also become a higher priority in large?scale tours, and AC/DC’s production partners are expected to follow those industry trends.

The band’s brand visuals—bold typography, lightning bolt iconography, and red?and?black color palettes—are likely to dominate stage design, tour merch, and digital campaigns. These visuals carry decades of recognition and lend themselves to highly shareable social media imagery, which will be crucial in keeping AC/DC visible on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts even as younger artists compete for attention, per social media analytics cited by Billboard and Variety.

Where AC/DC fit in today’s rock and pop landscape

AC/DC’s 2026 touring plans land in a rock landscape that is both more fragmented and more nostalgic than in previous decades. Classic rock acts have dominated the upper end of the touring business, with names like The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Metallica consistently delivering some of the year’s highest?grossing tours, according to Pollstar and Billboard’s year?end reports. AC/DC’s return positions them within this elite club of legacy artists who can still move hundreds of thousands of tickets despite minimal recent radio play.

Streaming has also recontextualized AC/DC’s catalog for younger listeners. When the band finally arrived on major streaming platforms in 2015 after years of holding out, their catalog drew significant numbers from both long?time fans and first?time listeners, per The New York Times and Billboard. Since then, the continued popularity of rock playlists and algorithmic recommendations has kept songs like "Back in Black" and "Highway to Hell" in regular rotation for Gen Z and millennial audiences who might otherwise be anchored in pop, hip?hop, and EDM ecosystems.

Pop and rock cross?pollination has further boosted AC/DC’s profile. Artists across genres—ranging from pop?punk revivalists to mainstream pop stars—have cited AC/DC’s riffs and song structures as formative influences, with some weaving rock?leaning guitars into radio?friendly tracks that echo classic AC/DC chord progressions, according to interviews compiled by Rolling Stone and Spin. That influence ensures that even listeners who might not know the band directly are familiar with their sonic DNA.

From a US cultural standpoint, AC/DC’s stadium return also taps into a broader trend of "anniversary" and "milestone" tours. While 2026 does not correspond to a single neat anniversary year for a specific album, the band’s half?century legacy, stretching back to the early 1970s, gives promoters ample marketing angles: celebrating the impact of "Back in Black," honoring the Bon Scott years, and recognizing the resilience of a band that weathered multiple lineup upheavals, personal losses, and health crises yet continues to draw massive crowds.

How US fans can prepare: presales, travel, and more AC/DC coverage

For US fans planning to catch AC/DC in 2026, preparation will be key. Past stadium tours by legacy rock acts have shown that the biggest on?sale rush typically hits during the first hour of presales, with fan club members and credit?card partner presale holders often securing the best seat locations before the general public window opens, per The Wall Street Journal and Billboard’s tour coverage. Fans should monitor AC/DC’s official communications, join any official fan communities or mailing lists, and ensure their ticketing accounts are updated in advance of public announcements.

Travel planning is equally important. Because AC/DC’s 2026 routing may not hit every mid?size US market, fans in smaller cities could need to travel to regional hubs like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or Dallas. Booking refundable hotels and tracking flight or gas prices in advance can help manage costs, especially as summer travel demand pushes rates upward, according to general travel reporting from USA Today and the Associated Press. For those driving to stadiums, early parking reservations and familiarity with local transit options can reduce day?of?show stress, particularly in dense metro areas.

Merchandise has become a major revenue driver in modern tours, and AC/DC’s branding makes them particularly well?positioned. From classic logo tees and tour?dated hoodies to premium packages and limited?edition vinyl, fans can expect a wide range of on?site and online offerings. Because counterfeit merch often appears around major stadium events, consumer advocates and music industry associations urge fans to buy directly at venues or from verified online shops to ensure quality and support the artists, according to RIAA advisories and Billboard.

US readers who want to track every confirmed date, lineup tweak, and setlist surprise can find more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS via this internal search page: more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS. As the 2026 tour cycle accelerates, regular updates will be essential to stay ahead of presales, added shows, and potential special?guest appearances.

FAQ: AC/DC’s 2026 tour, lineup, and tickets

Is AC/DC really touring the US again in 2026?

As of June 8, 2026, AC/DC and their promoters are actively preparing a major stadium?scale tour run that includes a substantial US leg, according to reporting and industry analysis from Billboard and Pollstar. The band’s recent European activity and high?profile festival appearances have been positioned as precursors to a broader world tour, with North America considered a priority market.

Who is singing for AC/DC on the new tour?

Brian Johnson is expected to remain the band’s lead vocalist for the 2026 tour cycle, following his widely praised return at Power Trip and subsequent shows, per Rolling Stone and Variety. His use of a custom in?ear monitoring system has addressed the hearing issues that once threatened his ability to perform, allowing him to rejoin AC/DC onstage in a sustainable way.

Will AC/DC play "Back in Black" and other classic hits?

AC/DC’s live sets have consistently centered on core classics like "Back in Black," "Highway to Hell," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and "Thunderstruck," and there is no indication that this pattern will change in 2026, according to historical setlists and recent show reviews from Setlist.fm, Rolling Stone, and NME. Fans can expect a mix of Bon Scott–era songs, Brian Johnson–era anthems, and select newer tracks, with the biggest hits typically anchoring the main set and encore.

How can I get tickets, and how fast will they sell out?

As of June 8, 2026, specific on?sale dates and presale codes have not yet been fully disclosed, but analysts expect high demand and rapid sell?outs for prime markets, per Pollstar and Billboard. Fans should prepare by creating or updating accounts on major ticketing platforms, monitoring AC/DC’s official communications, and signing up for any fan club or credit?card presales that might offer early access.

Will there be VIP or premium ticket packages?

Most modern stadium tours include VIP and premium ticket options, and AC/DC’s 2026 run is expected to follow suit, with possibilities ranging from early entry and premium seating to exclusive merch bundles, according to general touring trends documented by Billboard and Pollstar. Pricing for such packages often reflects demand and market size, so US fans should be ready for variable costs depending on their chosen city and seat location.

How does AC/DC’s tour compare to other big rock tours?

In terms of scale, AC/DC’s 2026 stadium plans place them alongside major legacy rock acts like The Rolling Stones, Metallica, and Bruce Springsteen, who have dominated the high?grossing tour lists in recent years, according to Pollstar and Billboard’s annual charts. AC/DC’s shows, however, are typically more stripped?down in production narrative and more focused on raw guitar rock, which differentiates them from contemporary pop?leaning stadium spectacles.

Where can I find official information about AC/DC’s tour?

For the most accurate and timely information, fans should monitor AC/DC’s official website and tour section, follow the band’s verified social media accounts, and watch major outlets like Billboard and Variety for breaking tour news. Official ticketing partners and venue websites will also post confirmed dates, on?sale times, and ticketing rules as they become available.

AC/DC’s 2026 plans mark a rare moment when generations of rock fans—those who grew up with Bon Scott and Brian Johnson alike—can share the same stadium experience. For US audiences, the return of one of rock’s most durable live bands signals both a celebration of the genre’s past and a reminder that, even in an era dominated by pop and hip?hop, the sound of a cranked?up guitar riff still has the power to unite tens of thousands of people under the same high?voltage banner.

By the AD HOC NEWS Music Desk » Rock and pop coverage — The AD HOC NEWS Music Desk, with AI?assisted research support, reports daily on albums, tours, charts, and scene developments across the United States and internationally.
Published: June 8, 2026 · Last reviewed: June 8, 2026

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