Music legend Elton John has today (November 25) been unveiled as the first headliner for Rock in Rio 2026 – check out all the details below.

After nearly a decade away, John will perform in Rio next year, headlining the Palco Mundo (World Stage) on September 7 2026 – his only show scheduled to take place in Brazil.

Previously, the 78-year-old singer-songwriter confirmed that he would “not be going on tour again” once his extensive ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour ended in July 2023. However, he later said he would perform “the odd show”, giving fans hope they would be able to see the music icon once more. 

So far, these have included the 50th annual Candlelight Concert in the US last December and the opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center last summer. In 2023, Sir Elton also played live at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony, where he inducted his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Back in October, John also played to the biggest crowd since he quit touring two years ago at the Singapore Grand Prix.
In response to news of John’s appearance at the festival, Roberto Medina — creator and president of the festival — said: “Rock in Rio was born to create unforgettable memories. We’re not just bringing Elton John back — we’re bringing a living legend.
“Having him on our World Stage is an honour. His journey, legacy, and the power of his music embody everything Rock in Rio stands for: emotion, connection, and the transformative force of art.
“Having Elton with us, after announcing his retirement from touring in 2023, reinforces the power of Rock in Rio to unite people through music and demonstrates the strength of this brand that carries Rio in its name.
“2026 will be an emblematic year — and we’re thrilled to welcome one of the greatest artists of all time,” concluded Medina.

In response to the news, John added: “I’ve always had a fantastic time whenever we’ve played in Brazil. I didn’t manage to get to South America for the farewell tour, so when Rock In Rio asked me to play, I said ‘yes’ immediately.
“I love my Brazilian fans, they hold such a special place in my heart. The energy these big one-off shows have been giving me since I stopped touring is unbeatable. As a band, we’re playing brilliantly and we’re sounding as good as we ever have, and, importantly, we’re still really loving playing together. I really cannot wait to return to Brazil next summer.”
Ticket sales for the Rock in Rio Card — which guarantees access to the festival before the full lineup is announced — will open on December 9 through Ticketmaster Brazil. You can get tickets for the event, which takes place at the Cidade do Rock, at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Park here.

• READ MORE: The NME Big Read – Elton John: “I’m not interested in the past – not even Elton John’s past”

The pop veteran kicked off his Farewell tour back in 2018 and it became one of the most lucrative in music history. As of January 2023, it became the first-ever tour to surpass the $800million (£649.1million) mark, making it one of the highest-grossing of all time. It was estimated that, by the 330th and final gig, it will have hit the $1billion (£800million) mark.

NME previously counted down the top five moments from the tour. We praised the singer-songwriter for his unwavering enthusiasm, despite the extensive number of dates he has already played.

We also highlighted the intricate set-lists that vary across each show, which have featured some of his lesser-known tracks including ‘Burn Down The Mission’ and ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player’’s ‘Have Mercy On The Criminal’, both of which were transformed into “fiery rock and roll epics” when played live.
John also performed one of what NME described as “Glastonbury’s best ever sets” in 2023, when John brought that year’s iteration of the festival to a close.
In a five star review, we said: “Sir Elton left everything on the field. It was a Glasto set for the ages from a true all-time great. We’ll never see his kind again. So long, Rocketman – and thank you.”
Meanwhile, back in April, John released a new collaborative album with Brandi Carlile called ‘Who Believes In Angels?’, featuring the Oscar-nominated song ‘Never Too Late’, which was created especially for the Disney+ documentary of the same name.