Rod Stewart announces he’s done with “large-scale world tours”

Rod Stewart has announced that he is done with “large-scale world tours” when his current run of dates is complete.

The music legend has a number of shows locked in for 2025, including North American tours in February/March, Las Vegas residencies in March and May/June, a European tour in April/May and another North American tour in July/August.

Now, he has confirmed that these shows will be the final major arena shows of his career, writing on Instagram: “This will be the end of large-scale world tours for me, but I have no desire to retire.”

“I love what I do, and I do what I love,” he continued. “I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.”

“I’d like to move onto a Great American Songbook, Swing Fever tour the year after next – smaller venues and more intimacy. But then again, I may not…”

Stewart revealed in August that he would be embarking on Las Vegas residencies in 2025 in The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. They will run from March 12-22 and May 29-June 8, and you can find any remaining tickets here.

Stewart was forced to postpone two concerts in August as he recovered from COVID-19. Those followed another show in Las Vegas a week earlier that was moved when he contracted strep throat.

He also recently confessed that he thinks his “days are numbered” as he nears his 80th birthday in January. “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear,” he said.

“We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few – probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.”

The rock musician added that “I’m not like I was in the ’70s and ’80s and I can’t stay up all night, get drunk and go mad and still have a voice just like that. “Nowadays I have to protect my voice before and after every show.”

Elsewhere, Stewart recently threatened to sell his sports cars due to a long-running battle over potholes near his home in Harlow, Essex.

It was also reported in February that the singer had sold his back catalogue for close to $100million (£79.3million). Stewart closed the deal with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists, who now owns his publishing catalogue, recorded music and a stake of Stewart’s likeness and image rights.