Rod Stewart announces his farewell tour for 2027 saying that "The time has come to say farewell."

With over six decades in the music business and having performed to millions worldwide, sadly Sir Rod Stewart has announced that he is hanging up his microphone and tartan jackets and that he will be retiring from touring for good, with his final shows due to take place next year in 2027.

Over the summer, Rod cancelled some of the dates on his 'One Last Time' North American tour after undergoing a routine coronary stent procedure. He'd previously pulled out of a show at the last minute due to an "unforeseen but minor medical procedure".

The singer was forced to pause a gig in Utah to use an oxygen tank after nearly fainting on stage earlier on the tour. "Would you mind if I sat down for this one?" he playfully asked the crowd in his own inimitable way.

Clearly keen to go out with a bang and taking in shows across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, Rod's farewell tour - dubbed 'The Final Encore' - will kick off in Dublin, Ireland on the 23rd and will conclude on the 24th July in Hannover, Germany.

At 81 years old, Sir Rod truly deserves to retire and leaves behind a legacy of both solo hits and from his time in The Faces. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 120 million records worldwide and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not just once, but twice.

The first as a solo artist in 1994 and he was then inducted for a second time in 2012 as a member of The Faces.

The words 'legend' is bandied about somewhat too often, but in Rod's case, there's no doubt he is a living and breathing legend who has influenced generations of musicians such as Bryan Adams, Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics and The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson to name but a few.

The singer-songwriter is bowing out for good with a series of farewell shows which will take place next year and demand for tickets for his shows are certainly going to be in high demand with the legendary singer-songwriter kicking off his swan song at Dublin's 3Arena on April 23.

Sir Rod said in a statement:

"My dear friends, the time has come to say farewell to life on the road," says the man himself in a statement accompanying the news. "After more than six decades, The Final Encore will most definitely be my last. I've been singing the music I love since I was 19 years old, and I've had the privilege of taking it around the world to all of you.

"It has given me a life beyond anything I could ever have imagined, and I hope I've given you some fond memories in return. So, may I take this opportunity to thank you for making this extraordinary life possible. I hope you'll join me so I can thank you the best way I know how… with the music and one hell of a show. See you there.".'

Fans can expect to hear all their Rod Stewart favourites such as 'Young Turks',  'Hot Legs, the gorgeous 'I Don't Want To Talk About It, ''Maggie May,' 'Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)', 'You Wear It Well' and of course the iconic 'Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?'

Tickets for the shows will go on sale first via a Fanclub presale on Tuesday 29th September, followed by local presales and then, finally, a general sale on Friday October 2nd. Information on all tickets can be found at Rod Stewart's official website. Howard Jones has been announced as a support act for the gigs across the UK and Ireland.

Rod's tour will commence in Dublin at the city's 3Arena on the 23rd April and the tour will then head to arenas in Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester before Sir Rod takes his farewell tour to The O2 in London on May 11. Support on the UK and Ireland leg will come from Howard Jones.

For non-UK based fans, Rod will also perform at a variety of gigs across Europe between late May and the end of July which will include shows in Prague, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Munich, Budapest, Kraków and more.

Rod Stewart's UK and European 'The Final Encore' tour dates are:

April 2027

23-3Arena, Dublin, Ireland

27 - SSE Arena, Belfast, UK

29 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK

May2027

04 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK

06 - Co-op Live, Manchester, U

11 - The O2, London, UK

28 - Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands

29 - AFAS Dome, Antwerp, Belgium

June 2027

01 - Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany

03 - PSD Bank Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany

06 - Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark

09 - Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki, Finland

11 - Dalhalla, Rättvik, Sweden

13 - Sverresborg, Trondheim, Norway

15 - Plenen, Bergen, Norway

18 - Sportsarena, Budapest, Hungary

20 - Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany

22 - Pula Arena, Pula, Croatia

24 - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic

July 2027

20 - Tauron Arena, Kraków, Poland

24 -   ZAG Arena, Hannover, Germany