AC/ DC return to US stadiums with 2026 Power Up tour

AC/DC are officially bringing their thunder back to US stages in 2026, with the band extending their current Power Up world tour into a fresh run of North American stadium and arena dates that will put one of rock’s most enduring live acts in front of a new generation of American fans. As of June 7, 2026, the group’s touring plans mark their most sustained US run with vocalist Brian Johnson since the early 2010s, underlining how strong the demand for high-voltage rock remains in a live market dominated by pop and hip-hop.

According to Billboard, AC/DC’s 2024–2025 European Power Up dates moved hundreds of thousands of tickets within hours of going on sale, with several shows in Germany and the UK upgraded from arenas to stadiums in response to what promoters called “overwhelming demand.” Per Rolling Stone, the band’s return to full-scale touring after years of uncertainty around Johnson’s hearing issues and Malcolm Young’s death has been framed by promoters as one of hard rock’s defining comeback stories of the decade.

What’s new: AC/DC confirm expanded 2026 US Power Up dates

The “why now” is straightforward: AC/DC have quietly shifted from a primarily European-focused road schedule to a true global Power Up era, and the next major frontier is the United States. As of June 7, 2026, Live Nation–promoted routing documents and venue announcements indicate that AC/DC are booked into several key US markets for late summer and fall 2026, including likely stops at flagship venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, alongside major football stadiums in the Midwest and South.

While AC/DC themselves have historically favored minimal commentary, local venue announcements and ticketing data are already sketching out the contours of the US run. Per Variety, the band’s most recent North American dates sold at a premium price point, with average gross per show landing in the multi-million-dollar range thanks to high demand for legacy rock tours. According to Pollstar reporting on comparable classic rock stadium outings, AC/DC’s 2026 Power Up tour is expected by industry analysts to compete with the top 20 touring acts in the US in terms of overall gross for the year, even in a crowded market that includes pop superstars and country mega-tours.

For fans tracking the band’s official rollout, AC/DC’s official tour page, accessible via a dedicated section of AC/DC’s official website, now clusters North American dates separately from the ongoing European itinerary, signaling that the US leg is being treated as a distinct phase of the campaign. As of June 7, 2026, multiple US dates are marked as “coming soon” or “to be announced,” a common tactic to maintain anticipation while final production and routing details are locked in.

In practical terms, this means that fans in major US cities can expect AC/DC to hit the road with a full-scale stadium-ready production: towering stacks of Marshall amps, signature cannon blasts during “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You),” and the sort of pyro-heavy staging that has long set the band apart from younger peers. Promoters are emphasizing that this will not be a scaled-back, theater-sized victory lap but a true arena and stadium run in the tradition of the band’s late-’80s and early-’90s peak touring years.

Brian Johnson’s full-throttle US return and the band’s current lineup

One of the biggest storylines behind AC/DC’s 2026 US dates is the sustained return of vocalist Brian Johnson. Johnson was sidelined in 2016 amid serious concerns over hearing loss, a crisis that led the band to recruit Axl Rose as a temporary stand-in for previously scheduled dates. According to Rolling Stone, Johnson’s use of experimental in-ear technology and specialized audio treatments allowed him to slowly regain performance capability, eventually leading to his return to the studio for the band’s 2020 album “Power Up.” Per the New York Times, his comeback on tour has been closely watched as a test case for the intersection of rock longevity and medical innovation.

The current AC/DC lineup expected to hit US stages in 2026 features Brian Johnson on vocals, Angus Young on lead guitar, Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, Cliff Williams on bass, and Matt Laug on drums, with Laug having handled live duties throughout much of the Power Up tour following Phil Rudd’s earlier legal and personal hurdles. While AC/DC have historically been tight-lipped about internal lineup dynamics, interviews with Angus Young have emphasized the band’s focus on stability and honoring the musical blueprint laid down by the Young brothers over the past five decades.

Industry observers note that Johnson’s sustained return is especially meaningful for US audiences who largely associate the band’s classic MTV-era presence with his gravelly, high-register scream on songs like “Back in Black,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and “Hells Bells.” AC/DC’s previous Axl Rose–fronted dates in the mid-2010s drew intense scrutiny but ultimately earned mostly positive reviews, yet many longtime fans have continued to wait specifically for the chance to hear Johnson again in a US stadium setting.

Critics attending the early European Power Up shows have reported that Johnson’s voice, while naturally aged, remains forceful and distinctive. Per Consequence, recent reviews from major European cities have highlighted his ability to sustain the iconic high notes on “Thunderstruck” and “Shoot to Thrill” with only minor adjustments to key and phrasing, supported by a tight, road-tested band that maintains AC/DC’s famously relentless groove.

Setlist expectations: balancing Power Up with classic rock staples

A key driver of AC/DC’s live appeal in the US remains the band’s setlist, which has historically leaned heavily on their most recognizable hits while making room for a small but carefully curated selection of newer material. As of June 7, 2026, fan-sourced setlists from the European Power Up dates indicate that AC/DC are performing approximately 20 songs per night, with around three to four cuts from the 2020 “Power Up” album integrated into a framework dominated by tracks from “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “Let There Be Rock.” According to Billboard’s live coverage, “Shot in the Dark” has regularly served as a high-energy mid-set highlight.

For US audiences, it is reasonable—based on recent setlists in Europe and South America—to anticipate a show built around the enduring crowd-pleasers. Typical Power Up-era setlists have opened with “Rock or Bust” or a classic like “Back in Black,” moved quickly through “Shoot to Thrill” and “High Voltage,” and saved arena-shaking moments such as “Highway to Hell” and “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” for the encore. Per Stereogum’s touring notes, Angus Young’s extended guitar solo during “Let There Be Rock” remains a cornerstone of the show, often stretching past the ten-minute mark and functioning as the production’s visual centerpiece.

“Demon Fire,” a newer song that leans into AC/DC’s longstanding lyrical interest in hellfire and mischief, has become a stealth crowd favorite on the Power Up tour, particularly when deployed alongside a vividly lit stage design that bathes the venue in red and orange. For US fans whose exposure to AC/DC has been largely through catalog radio and streaming playlists centered on the early ’80s, this blend of new and familiar material underscores the band’s core proposition: they remain committed to making new music that feels of a piece with their classic output.

US-specific setlist adjustments are also likely. Historically, AC/DC have occasionally leaned on “Rock ’n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” and “Have a Drink on Me” in US markets where classic rock radio maintains a particularly strong footprint. Promoters and venue operators note that older US stadium audiences often respond strongly to these deep cuts, which can be slotted in with minimal disruption to the band’s tightly rehearsed pacing.

Where AC/DC might play: key US venues and markets

While not every 2026 US date has been formally announced, the pattern of AC/DC’s previous tours and the structure of major touring networks in the United States offer a strong sense of which venues are likely to host the band. Per Variety’s tour industry coverage, legacy acts of AC/DC’s scale typically prioritize a combination of major coastal markets and high-yield stadiums in the Midwest and South, leveraging national promoters such as Live Nation Entertainment and AEG Presents.

In practical terms, that points toward potential appearances at venues like SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area, MetLife Stadium in the New York–New Jersey corridor, and Soldier Field in Chicago, as well as high-profile arenas such as Madison Square Garden in New York, TD Garden in Boston, and the United Center in Chicago. Regional strongholds for classic rock—markets like Dallas–Fort Worth, Atlanta, Denver, and Phoenix—are also frequent fixtures on AC/DC routing maps, especially when the band is traveling with a full stadium-ready production that benefits from clustering dates in geographically efficient sequences.

Per Pollstar’s venue ranking reports, stadium shows by established rock legends often generate substantial ancillary revenue for local economies in the form of hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, rideshare demand, and short-term staffing needs at large-scale venues. City tourism boards and local officials have increasingly been proactive in highlighting major concert dates as part of their summer and fall promotional strategies, and AC/DC’s presence on the 2026 calendar fits squarely into that broader ecosystem.

From a fan perspective, venue selection matters both for acoustics and for logistics. Longtime followers of the band often favor iconic amphitheaters and historic arenas—such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre or the Ryman Auditorium—even when AC/DC’s current scale makes these spaces difficult to fit into a stadium-heavy schedule. Still, there is a meaningful tradition of the group ringing massive indoor arenas like Madison Square Garden with a dense wall of sound, an experience that many US fans consider a bucket-list event.

Ticket demand, pricing, and resale dynamics

One of the defining characteristics of the 2020s live music economy has been the intense demand for tickets to legacy rock acts, often rivaling or exceeding the market for current chart-topping pop stars. According to the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on the touring boom, dynamic pricing models and platinum ticket tiers have become standard for major tours, including those by veteran bands whose core audiences are now middle-aged and often willing to pay premium prices for nostalgic experiences.

As of June 7, 2026, AC/DC’s 2026 US tour dates have not all fully gone on sale, but early presale data from European shows and prior North American outings provide a useful benchmark. Per Billboard’s touring analysis, AC/DC’s last completed global tour routinely sold out arenas and stadiums within hours in major markets, with secondary market prices sometimes doubling or tripling face value for prime seats. It is reasonable to expect a similar pattern in 2026, especially in US cities that the band has not visited in over a decade.

Promoters are likely to structure ticket tiers across a wide range, from relatively affordable upper-deck seats aimed at younger fans discovering the band via streaming platforms, to VIP pit and premium packages that include early entry, exclusive merchandise, and dedicated hospitality services. Venue operators and consumer advocates continue to warn fans to purchase only from official box office outlets or verified resale platforms, particularly as high-profile tours remain a favorite target for scammers.

Because AC/DC’s audience spans multiple generations—from fans who bought “Back in Black” on vinyl in 1980 to teenagers who know the band primarily through playlists and movie syncs—there is an unusually wide spread in what individual attendees are willing to pay. Per NPR Music’s broader coverage of legacy touring, many multi-generational families now treat these concerts as shared cultural events, with parents and grandparents introducing younger relatives to the music in a live setting.

Why AC/DC still matter in the 2020s rock landscape

AC/DC’s 2026 US tour arrives at a time when guitar-driven rock occupies a complex position in American popular culture. While the Billboard Hot 100 is dominated by pop, hip-hop, and country crossovers, the touring sector has proven that there is sustained demand for rock bands capable of delivering a visceral, high-production live experience. According to Rolling Stone’s analysis of post-pandemic touring, veteran rock acts have been particularly resilient, in part because their audiences treat concerts as rare, must-see events rather than casual entertainment.

AC/DC’s ongoing relevance rests on several pillars. First, their catalog has shown remarkable durability on streaming platforms. Per Billboard’s catalog chart reporting, albums like “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell” continue to log strong weekly streams, often boosted by sync placements in films, TV shows, and video games. Second, the band’s stripped-down, blues-based approach to songwriting has proven adaptable across decades, with newer tracks like “Shot in the Dark” fitting seamlessly alongside older material.

Third, there is the theatricality of Angus Young’s onstage persona, which remains one of rock’s most instantly recognizable visual signatures. The schoolboy uniform, duckwalk, and extended guitar solos have become a kind of ritual, one that US audiences continue to embrace as a living link to the classic rock era. Critics from outlets like Variety and the Los Angeles Times have noted that while many younger acts borrow aesthetic cues from past decades, AC/DC represent an unbroken continuity with the era that defined arena rock as a commercial force.

Finally, AC/DC’s US presence carries a specific symbolic weight. As an Australian band that found its greatest commercial success in the United States, AC/DC’s relationship with American audiences has always been central to their story. The band’s embrace by US rock radio, the massive tour cycles behind “Highway to Hell” and “Back in Black,” and their association with American sports culture—particularly through stadium anthems like “Thunderstruck”—have all cemented their place in the broader cultural landscape.

How US fans can stay updated on AC/DC’s 2026 plans

With the 2026 US leg of the Power Up tour still rolling out in phases, fans are wise to monitor a combination of official and independent sources for the latest updates. The most direct route is the tour section of AC/DC’s official website, which is regularly updated with new dates, venue info, and ticketing links. Beyond that, major promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents typically issue press releases and localized announcements through venue social channels and email lists as soon as new shows are confirmed.

For a more analytical view—spanning charts, touring economics, and scene-wide trends—US readers can tap into ongoing coverage from music-focused outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Consequence, as well as business-oriented reporting from the Wall Street Journal and Variety. Each of these outlets brings a slightly different lens: some emphasize fan culture and setlists, others focus on financial performance or the broader implications for the touring industry.

To track how AC/DC’s 2026 campaign fits into the bigger picture of rock and pop in the United States, readers can also find more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS, including context on where the band sits in relation to current festival lineups, cross-genre collaborations, and the steady resurgence of guitar music in live settings. For additional context, see more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS by following the platform’s dedicated search results at https://adhocnews.pages.dev/suche?query=AC/DC&type=News, which aggregate ongoing reporting into a single, easy-to-navigate feed.

As of June 7, 2026, the key takeaway for US fans is straightforward: AC/DC’s Power Up tour is no longer a distant or purely European story. Instead, it is evolving into one of the defining rock events on the American live calendar for 2026, promising a rare opportunity to see one of the genre’s foundational bands delivering a full-scale stadium spectacle at a time when live music has become both more expensive and more precious.

FAQ: AC/DC’s 2026 US tour plans

When is AC/DC’s US tour happening?

As of June 7, 2026, venue announcements and promoter materials point to late summer and fall 2026 as the primary window for AC/DC’s US Power Up dates. Detailed routing is still being finalized in many markets, but fans in major cities along both coasts and in the Midwest can expect a mix of stadium and arena shows, with some secondary markets likely added as routing allows.

Who is singing for AC/DC on the 2026 tour?

Brian Johnson is fronting AC/DC on the current Power Up tour and is expected to remain the band’s vocalist for the 2026 US dates, following a widely discussed recovery from hearing issues that previously sidelined him. His return has been framed by outlets like Rolling Stone and the New York Times as a significant comeback within rock music, showcasing the potential of medical and technological solutions to extend the careers of veteran performers.

Will AC/DC play songs from Power Up, or just the classics?

Based on setlists from the European legs of the Power Up tour, AC/DC are performing a blend of new material and classic hits. Fans can expect around three to four songs from “Power Up,” including “Shot in the Dark” and possibly “Demon Fire,” alongside staples such as “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “Thunderstruck,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Shoot to Thrill,” and “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).” The overall balance favors iconic tracks but does not ignore the band’s most recent studio work.

How can I get tickets at face value?

Fans looking to avoid inflated resale prices should focus on official box office channels, presale codes from venues, and email lists from promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents. It is advisable to create ticketing accounts in advance, ensure payment details are current, and be online the moment sales open, as high-demand dates can sell out in minutes. Consumer advocates consistently recommend avoiding unverified resale listings, particularly those that request payment through nonstandard channels.

Is this AC/DC’s final US tour?

AC/DC have not framed the 2026 Power Up tour as a farewell, and the band’s members have generally avoided definitive statements about retirement. However, given the ages of the core lineup—particularly Angus Young and Brian Johnson—many fans and industry observers are treating the 2026 US run as at least potentially the last opportunity to see the band at full stadium scale. As with many legacy acts, the safest assumption is that no future tour is guaranteed, making these shows especially significant.

Will AC/DC play US festivals like Coachella or Lollapalooza?

As of June 7, 2026, there has been no official confirmation that AC/DC will headline US festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza Chicago, or Bonnaroo in 2026. The band has historically favored standalone stadium and arena tours over festival slots, though occasional festival appearances are not out of the question if scheduling and economics align. Any such booking would likely be announced prominently by the festival and receive widespread media coverage.

Whether AC/DC ultimately treat the 2026 Power Up US leg as one more chapter or a grand finale, their decision to return to American stadiums represents a symbolic closing of a loop that began when the band first conquered the US live circuit decades ago. For fans, it is a chance to stand in a crowd, feel the cannons roar, and be part of a living, electrified history of rock that continues to matter in a rapidly changing musical landscape.

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 7, 2026 · Last reviewed: June 7, 2026

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