Lionel Richie’s “Stay With Us” Tour 2026: A Soulful Reunion That Promises to Heal Hearts Worldwide
October 16, 2025—In a surprise announcement that sent ripples of joy through the music world, Lionel Richie, the timeless crooner whose voice has serenaded generations, revealed plans for his 2026 “Stay With Us: The Lionel Richie Reunion Tour.” At 76, the four-time Grammy winner, known for soul-stirring anthems like “Hello,” “Endless Love,” and “All Night Long,” stepped up during a live stream from his Los Angeles home studio, his signature fedora tilted just so, to declare: “This isn’t a farewell—it’s a family reunion. We’re staying with you, because you’ve stayed with me.” The virtual event, attended by over 1.2 million viewers on YouTube and Instagram, featured Richie performing an impromptu acoustic set of fan favorites, teasing a tour that blends nostalgia with fresh energy. Tour dates and cities, unveiled moments later, span North America, Europe, and Asia, kicking off in spring 2026 and promising sold-out spectacles in 25 major venues.
The “Stay With Us” moniker isn’t mere branding—it’s a heartfelt nod to Richie’s ethos of connection amid chaos. “This tour is not just about the music,” he elaborated, his baritone warm as ever. “It’s about love, connection, and gratitude—for all the people who have been part of this journey. I want us to share those memories again, together.” Fans, from boomers who danced to Commodores tracks in the ’70s to Gen Z discovering his hits on TikTok, erupted online. #StayWithUs trended globally within minutes, amassing 500,000 posts on X, with users sharing stories of weddings scored to “Truly” or road trips fueled by “Dancing on the Ceiling.” One viral clip showed a 22-year-old user lip-syncing “Easy Like Sunday Morning,” captioning it: “Grandpa’s tunes, but my vibe—see you in NYC, Lionel!”
The tour itinerary, confirmed via Richie’s official site and Ticketmaster, is a masterclass in global reach, blending iconic arenas with intimate theaters for a mix of high-energy anthems and stripped-back ballads. It launches April 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, a fitting homecoming for the Alabama-born legend who exploded onto the scene with the Commodores in 1968. From there:
- North America Leg (April-May 2026): Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA (April 10); Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (April 18); United Center, Chicago, IL (April 25); Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON (May 2); Bell Centre, Montreal, QC (May 9); Scotiabank Arena, Vancouver, BC (May 16); T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO (May 23).
- Europe Leg (June-July 2026): The O2 Arena, London, UK (June 5); Accor Arena, Paris, France (June 12); Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany (June 19); Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands (June 26); Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain (July 3); Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal (July 10).
- Asia-Pacific Closer (August 2026): Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan (August 7); Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia (August 14)—a nod to Richie’s Tuskegee roots and international fanbase.
Each show runs about 90 minutes, featuring a 20-song setlist heavy on classics (“Lady,” “Still,” “Three Times a Lady”) with surprise covers and guest spots—rumors swirl of Diana Ross for an “Endless Love” duet in London or Earth, Wind & Fire reuniting for “All Night Long” in Chicago. VIP packages, starting at $250, include pre-show soundchecks and meet-and-greets, while general admission tickets range from $85 to $350, on sale October 20 via Ticketmaster. Presales for fan club members begin tomorrow, with secondary markets like StubHub already buzzing.
Richie’s return to touring feels like a phoenix rising. His last major jaunt, the 2023 “Sing a Song All Night Long” with Earth, Wind & Fire, grossed $50 million across 20 dates, per Pollstar. But 2024-2025 saw him pivot to his ongoing Las Vegas residency at Wynn’s Encore Theater—extended through December 2025—and judging duties on American Idol, where his avuncular wisdom has endeared him to younger viewers. Health scares, including a 2022 vocal cord surgery, sidelined him briefly, but Richie quipped during the announcement, “I’ve got more miles left in this voice than a Greyhound bus.” The tour coincides with a memoir, Stay: A Life in Song, slated for March 2026, promising untold stories from Motown days to Oscar wins for “Say You, Say Me.”
Critics and peers hailed the news. Rolling Stone called it “the feel-good event we need post-pandemic,” while Stevie Wonder tweeted: “Brother Lionel, your songs built bridges—keep building.” Fans speculate on setlist tweaks, with petitions for deeper cuts like “Running with the Night.” Environmentally conscious touches, like carbon-offset travel and reusable merch, align with Richie’s philanthropy via his Richie Family Foundation, which has donated $5 million to education since 2012.
As autumn leaves swirl in Tuskegee, where Richie penned early hits, the “Stay With Us” Tour embodies resilience. It’s more than a comeback—it’s renewal, a velvet-voiced reminder that music’s true power lies in unity. For five decades, Richie’s lyrics have whispered hope into broken hearts; now, he’ll sing them live, inviting us to sway, cry, and celebrate. Tickets drop soon—don’t say goodbye to missing out. Hello… to magic.
