The silence that followed Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cord surgery in 2022 was, for many fans, a daunting reminder of the fragility of rock and roll. However, as 2025 draws to a close, that silence has been replaced by the roar of a global announcement. On October 22, 2025, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends officially unveiled the “Forever Tour,” a 2026 stadium and arena run that marks their first major outing in four years. The tour is a celebration of resilience, tethered to the release of “Forever (Legendary Edition),” a star-studded collaborative album featuring reimaginings of their latest tracks with guests like Bruce Springsteen and Lainey Wilson. For Jon Bon Jovi, this isn’t just another tour; it is a triumphant “I’m back” moment, proving that after years of rehab and uncertainty, the band is ready to stand in the “WE” of their concerts once again.
A Garden Residency Like No Other
The tour kicks off in spectacular fashion with a massive residency at the world’s most famous arena. Starting July 7, 2026, Bon Jovi will take over New York City’s Madison Square Garden for a nine-night stand. Originally announced as a four-show run, the residency expanded twice due to unprecedented demand, eventually spanning nearly the entire month of July. These shows—taking place on July 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, and 26—are being treated as a homecoming for the New Jersey natives.
The MSG residency is expected to be a career-spanning celebration, with setlists rumored to feature deep cuts alongside the essential anthems like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” For fans, the Garden shows offer a more intimate environment than the massive stadiums to follow, providing a perfect showcase for Jon’s recovered vocals. Industry analysts predict these nine nights will go down as one of the highest-grossing residencies in the venue’s storied history, solidifying the band’s status as the ultimate arena rock kings.
Conquering the UK and Ireland
Following the New York residency, the “Forever Tour” crosses the Atlantic for a strictly curated run of massive stadium dates in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The European leg begins at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on August 28, followed by a Sunday night spectacle at Dublin’s Croke Park on August 30. The tour then moves to London for a three-night finale at Wembley Stadium on September 4, 6, and 9.
Like the New York dates, the London shows saw immediate sell-outs, prompting the addition of a third and “final” Wembley date on September 9. These stadium shows are designed for maximum impact, featuring state-of-the-art production and the high-energy “Jovi” atmosphere that has made them one of history’s most iconic live acts. For fans in the UK and Ireland, these dates represent the only chance to see the band in 2026, as the group has opted for a “quality over quantity” approach to this specific tour cycle.
Securing the Golden Ticket
Getting into a “Forever Tour” show has become the ultimate challenge for rock fans in late 2025. General on-sales began on October 31, 2025, and most dates reached “sold out” status within minutes. For the New York shows, tickets on primary markets like Ticketmaster started at approximately $215 for upper-level seating, while “Official Platinum” and VIP packages surged well above $600. In the UK, base prices were listed around £75, though demand has pushed secondary market prices significantly higher.
For those still looking to attend, verified resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek have become the primary battlegrounds. As of late December 2025, resale prices for the Madison Square Garden residency are fluctuating between $220 and $450 for standard seats, with “Gold Circle” and pit access fetching thousands. Experts recommend monitoring these sites closely, as prices often dip slightly as show dates approach and production-hold tickets are released by the venue.
The “Legendary” Setlist and Lineup
The 2026 touring lineup features the core “brotherhood” that has supported Jon through his recovery: keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Hugh McDonald, and guitarists Phil X and John Shanks. The camaraderie of this group was a focal point of the recent Thank You, Goodnight documentary, and their chemistry is expected to be the tour’s secret weapon. Fans can expect a setlist that balances the high-octane hits with soul-stirring ballads from the Forever album, such as “Legendary” and “Living Proof.”
There is also intense speculation regarding guest appearances, particularly given the collaborative nature of the Forever (Legendary Edition) album. With the London and New York shows serving as the tour’s anchors, rumors of Bruce Springsteen or Joe Elliott joining the band for “Hollow Man” or “Walls of Jericho” have reached a fever pitch. Whether or not the guests appear, the message of the tour remains one of collective joy. As Jon Bon Jovi noted in the tour announcement, he is simply grateful to “hold a light out to the audience” once more.
