Alan Jackson and George Strait joining forces for a 2026 “One Last Ride” tour feels less like a booking and more like the final chapter country fans never believed they’d actually witness. ML
The heart of country music skipped a beat this morning as two of its most beloved icons — Alan Jackson and George Strait — stepped onto a modest wooden stage inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and, with humble grins, announced what fans have dreamed of for years.
“We’re saddling up one last time,” said Alan Jackson, microphone in hand and hat tipped low over his eyes.
“We’re calling it One Last Ride — and it’s for the fans who’ve been with us since the barrooms, the rodeos, and the heartbreak radio hours.”
Seated beside him, George Strait, calm and composed, nodded with a quiet smile.
“We’ve shared stages for over four decades,” he added, “but never like this. This tour’s different. This one means something deeper.”
And just like that, “One Last Ride” — The Final Tour was born.
A Legacy Shared
Between them, Alan Jackson and George Strait boast over 100 number-one hits, dozens of CMA and ACM awards, and the kind of longevity in music that few achieve. Strait, often called the “King of Country,” has influenced generations of artists with his traditional Texas swing sound and heartfelt ballads. Jackson, with his down-home Georgia roots and poignant storytelling, brought honky-tonk back to the mainstream in the ’90s and never let it go.
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“These two are the Mount Rushmore of modern country,” said Travis Tritt, who attended the announcement. “You don’t get more authentic than Alan and George. This tour is history on wheels.”
More Than Just a Farewell
Despite the title, “One Last Ride” isn’t just a goodbye tour. It’s a revival — a tribute to real country music in a time where the genre’s boundaries have blurred.
“It’s not about saying goodbye,” Alan clarified. “It’s about celebrating the music that raised us, saved us, and gave us a life.”
The pair also confirmed that the tour will feature special guest appearances, handpicked by both artists to represent the future of country. Names like Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and Parker McCollum are already rumored, with some surprises “up the sleeve.”
“We want to pass the torch,” George said. “And also light a few fires before we ride off.”
Tour Dates and Cities: The Roadmap to Nostalgia
The “One Last Ride” Tour will span 40 cities across the U.S., beginning in April 2026 and concluding in October 2026 at the iconic AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — Strait’s home state.
Here’s a look at some confirmed dates:
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 4, 2026 | Nashville, TN | Nissan Stadium |
| April 10, 2026 | Atlanta, GA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| April 17, 2026 | Charlotte, NC | Bank of America Stadium |
| April 25, 2026 | Tampa, FL | Raymond James Stadium |
| May 2, 2026 | New Orleans, LA | Caesars Superdome |
| May 9, 2026 | Houston, TX | NRG Stadium |
| May 16, 2026 | Denver, CO | Empower Field at Mile High |
| June 6, 2026 | Chicago, IL | Soldier Field |
| June 20, 2026 | Seattle, WA | Lumen Field |
| July 4, 2026 | Las Vegas, NV | Allegiant Stadium |
| August 15, 2026 | New York, NY | MetLife Stadium |
| September 19, 2026 | Kansas City, MO | GEHA Field at Arrowhead |
| October 3, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ | State Farm Stadium |
| October 24, 2026 | Arlington, TX | AT&T Stadium |
The tour will feature state-of-the-art stage production, a massive live band, and a joint finale each night where the two legends will share the spotlight — performing duets, unreleased material, and personal stories from their lives on the road.
The Setlist: Hits, Surprises, and Heartfelt Tributes
Though the full setlist is still under wraps, fans can expect signature hits like:
- George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning”, “The Chair”, “I Cross My Heart”
- Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee”, “Remember When”, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)”
What makes this tour especially emotional is that both artists have lost close family and friends over recent years. Tributes to loved ones will be woven into the shows, including a special moment where Alan will dedicate “Sissy’s Song” to his late daughter and George will perform “Troubadour” with video tributes to those lost in the country music community.
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“It’s going to be real. Raw. Beautiful,” said Alan. “We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, and we’ll sing until the lights go down.”
Why Now?
George Strait turned 73 earlier this year, and Alan Jackson, 66, has been open about his health struggles with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative nerve condition that has affected his mobility.
“I still love to sing. I still love to write,” Alan said. “But it’s time to take a step back. Not because I want to stop, but because I want to remember this while I still can do it right.”
“We’ve both said no to a hundred ‘final tours’ over the years,” George added with a chuckle. “But this one… this one feels right. It’s not about walking away. It’s about walking proud.”
Fans React: “I Never Thought I’d See This Day”
Within hours of the announcement, the hashtag #OneLastRideTour began trending worldwide. Tickets aren’t even on sale yet, but fans are already preparing to camp out, travel cross-country, and even fly internationally to witness the rare event.
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“George and Alan on one stage? It’s like seeing Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard together again,” said country music superfan Darla Grimes of Tulsa, OK.
“I’m bringing my dad and my daughter. Three generations, one night,” wrote another fan on X (formerly Twitter).
What This Tour Means for Country Music
In an age when the lines between country, pop, and hip-hop blur more every day, “One Last Ride” feels like a return to roots — a celebration of fiddle and steel guitar, of cowboy hats and calloused hands, of Sunday morning heartbreaks and Saturday night bar fights.
“This isn’t just a concert tour,” said music historian Harvey Yates. “It’s a cultural moment. It reminds us that country music — true country music — still lives.”
Both Jackson and Strait emphasized they’re not against new sounds, but they believe there’s room for the traditional, and this tour is their love letter to it.
Ticket Info and Presales
Tickets will go on sale Friday, September 5, 2025, through official platforms including Ticketmaster and each venue’s website. Fan club presales begin two days earlier. VIP packages, including meet-and-greets, early entry, signed memorabilia, and backstage experiences, will also be available.
Prices are expected to range from $75 to $350, with limited VIP and “Front Row Cowboy Circle” options.
“We wanted tickets to be affordable,” said George. “So folks from Amarillo to Appalachia can come feel the music live.”
One Final Ride, But Not Goodbye
In closing their press conference, Alan looked out over the crowd and said, quietly:
“We don’t know what tomorrow brings. But in 2026, we’re gonna ride again. For the music. For the fans. For the stories we never got to tell.”
George tipped his hat beside him.
“See y’all on the trail.”
And with that, two country giants walked off stage — not into the sunset, but into the hearts of millions, once more.
