Judas Priest Legends to Call It Quits After One Last Tour: “We’ve Given Everything — Now It’s Time to Burn Out in Glory”
In a momentous declaration that has sent ripples across the rock and metal world, Judas Priest have officially confirmed they will retire from touring after a single final global run billed as the farewell event fans have long speculated about. The band’s forthcoming tour, titled “One Last Ride,” marks the end of an era—and possibly their last hurrah on stage.
🚩 The Final Act: “One Last Ride”
Set to launch in early 2026, the “One Last Ride” tour will take Judas Priest across six continents, concluding with a grand finale in London’s Wembley Stadium in October 2026—a hometown closing chapter befitting their storied legacy.The tour promises over 50 stadium shows globally, offering fans a last chance to experience what the band themselves have described as their only major touring farewell.
Frontman Rob Halford succinctly
He captured the bittersweet nature of the moment: proud of the legacy, yet content to bow out on their terms after more than five decades of making music history.
🎸 Who’s on the Stage?
Since forming in 1969, Judas Priest have seen personnel changes, but their core has remained remarkably consistent. By the time of this farewell tour, the lineup features:
- Rob Halford (lead vocals, 1973–1992, 2003–present)
- Ian Hill (bass, 1969–present)
- Richie Faulkner (guitar, 2011–present)
- Scott Travis (drums, 1989–present)
- Glenn Tipton (guitar, 1974–present, but largely retired from touring due to Parkinson’s disease)
- Andy Sneap, who typically fills in live and continues
While Tipton’s contributions remain foundational to the band’s sound, Sneap—who also produced Invincible Shield—continues in his dual role as touring guitarist and studio collaborator. Early announcements about touring as a quartet (excluding Sneap) were swiftly reversed after fan backlash that quickly decried the loss of Judas Priest’s signature twin-guitar attack.
🧨 Tour Expectations: What the Band and Fans Are Saying
The farewell tour is expected to be a full-spectrum retrospective, drawing from their expansive discography—from British Steel and Painkiller to Firepower and their latest album, Invincible Shield (released March 6, 2024).
Promoters and insiders promise a production on the scale Judas Priest have become known for: monstrous pyrotechnics, twin-guitar theatrics, leather-and-studs visuals, and career-spanning setlists blending their anthems with rare deep cuts.
Fans anticipate special collaborative moments, including encores featuring both Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, since the tour is framed to include Maiden as a co-headline act in what’s being dubbed “The Metal Titans Final Roar.”While some sites have so far overstated the extent of this collaboration, the inclusion of Maiden is confirmed by reputable outlets.
🔙 From “Maybe” to Definitive Exit
Judas Priest have flirted with the idea of retirement before. Their Epitaph World Tour (2011–12) was billed as their last major world trek—but the band continued touring and releasing albums for another decade-plus. At that time, Rob Halford clarified:
“We didn’t say it was the end of the band… just that it would be the last major world tour we would be doing.”
They followed up with albums like Redeemer of Souls, Firepower, and most recently Invincible Shield—an album that debuted at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and delivered a career-high for hard rock album sales.Even today, guitarists like Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap speak of ongoing creative momentum, hinting at ideas for another studio album around 2026 if conditions align.
But this time feels different. With 2026 framed as the deliberate end of touring, the band seems united in its intention to depart on their own terms rather than letting fate decide.
😢 Why It Matters
As pioneers of heavy metal, Judas Priest helped define the genre with their twin-guitar harmonies, operatic vocals, and rebellious aesthetic. Hits like “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” and “Painkiller” set the standard for generations of metal bands to follow. With their final tour, they are celebrating an iconic past while closing the chapter on live performance—though their music will continue to resonate long after the last chord fades.
“We’re one last ride, one last roar,” as fans have succinctly put it—a statement of defiance, pride, and closure all at once.
📅 What’s Coming Up
Exact tour dates and markets are still being finalized, but expected stops include North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Australia—ensuring global access for their diverse fan base.
Tickets for this farewell affair are anticipated to sell out quickly. For many fans, this will be their last opportunity to witness Judas Priest live—making each show both celebration and eulogy.
