Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Announce Final Farewell Tour: “The Last Ride” Scheduled for 2025–2026
In a moment that sent shockwaves of nostalgia and excitement through the music world, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving members of The Beatles, have announced their final farewell tour, aptly titled “The Last Ride.” The tour, set to begin in late September 2025 and continue through the summer of 2026, will span major cities across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
This historic announcement marks the first time in decades that McCartney and Starr will embark on an extended tour together, and they say it will also be the last. The duo, now aged 83 and 84 respectively, have described the tour as a “celebration of a lifetime of music, friendship, and love” — and a proper goodbye to generations of fans around the world.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
During a press conference held at Abbey Road Studios, the iconic location where The Beatles recorded much of their timeless catalog, McCartney and Starr were visibly emotional as they revealed their plans.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky to do what we love for so many years,” McCartney said. “This tour is about joy, about giving thanks, and about going out with a bang — the right way, together.”
Ringo Starr added, “We’ve done our own things, and it’s been beautiful. But there’s something magical that happens when we play Beatles songs together. This tour is for the fans, for the legacy, and for the two of us to share the stage one last time.”
Tour Dates and Format
“The Last Ride” will kick off in New York City at Madison Square Garden on September 27, 2025, before heading to iconic venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium, Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, Tokyo Dome, and Estadio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. In total, more than 40 dates have been announced, with the possibility of a few special encore shows added in 2026, depending on demand.
The concerts will feature a full backing band and a multi-sensory stage production that blends archival footage, modern visuals, and immersive audio — a nod to the Beatles’ groundbreaking studio innovations. While the setlist has not been formally released, both artists confirmed it will include a mix of Beatles classics, solo hits from both McCartney and Starr, and a few surprise collaborations.
Tributes to John and George
A deeply touching element of the tour will be the incorporation of tributes to their late bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison. Using advanced audio-visual technology and never-before-seen footage, McCartney and Starr will perform certain songs “with” John and George, creating emotional moments that pay homage to their legacy.
“We lost John and George far too soon,” McCartney said. “But their spirits are always with us, and during this tour, we’re making sure they’re there onstage with us in a very real way.”
A source close to the production team mentioned that the performances of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Imagine” will be among the most moving segments of the show, with vocals and instrumentals lifted from rare isolated recordings, paired with cinematic visuals and personal anecdotes.
A Lifetime in Music
Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have spent more than six decades shaping the soundtrack of the modern world. As members of The Beatles, they changed the course of music history with albums like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Revolver, and Abbey Road. Their work as solo artists has only added to their legacy, with McCartney earning acclaim for his work with Wings and as a solo artist, while Starr has built a reputation as a joyful performer with his All-Starr Band.
The pair last performed publicly together in 2020 during a virtual concert, and before that, they made surprise joint appearances at McCartney’s concerts in Los Angeles and New York. However, “The Last Ride” will be the first structured tour they’ve done together since The Beatles’ final run in 1966.
Fan Reactions
Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement. Fans, celebrities, and fellow musicians alike expressed excitement, gratitude, and bittersweet emotion over what will be the last chance to see the living Beatles perform on tour.
“I grew up listening to The Beatles on vinyl in my dad’s garage,” tweeted singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. “This is the concert of a lifetime. Can’t wait for ‘The Last Ride.’”
Ticket pre-sales for fan club members begin June 20, 2025, with general ticket sales opening June 24. Due to the anticipated demand, many venues have announced they will implement lottery-based sales systems to ensure fair access.
Looking Ahead — And Looking Back
While McCartney and Starr have not ruled out future one-off performances or collaborations, they emphasized that this tour will mark the end of large-scale touring for both. They cited their ages and desire to spend more time with family as key reasons for winding down.
“We’re not saying goodbye to music,” Ringo said with a smile. “Just goodbye to the road.”
McCartney echoed that sentiment: “We’ll always write, we’ll always play, but the long nights, the soundchecks, the travel — this is the curtain call.”
As the world prepares for what promises to be one of the most emotional, joyful, and significant tours in music history, fans are already calling “The Last Ride” a once-in-a-lifetime event — a final chapter in one of the most beloved stories ever told in music.
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