AC/ DC extend 2026 ‘Power Up’ world tour with major US shows

AC/DC are keeping their ‘Power Up’ comeback rolling with new 2026 US stadium and arena dates, fresh setlist tweaks, and lineup clarity.

AC/DC are not slowing down. After roaring back to full-time touring in 2024 for the first time in eight years, the Australian hard rock legends are extending their global “Power Up” trek into 2026 with a fresh run of North American dates, bringing one of rock’s loudest comebacks back to major US cities and stadiums.

What’s new: AC/DC add 2026 US dates and stretch ‘Power Up’ tour

As of May 21, 2026, AC/DC have quietly but clearly shifted the “Power Up” era from a short comeback run into a full-blown, multi-year world tour. The band recently opened up additional legs and confirmed ongoing touring plans across 2025–2026, including a new slate of US shows listed on AC/DC’s official website.

While not every stop has been formally announced via press release, outlets including Billboard and Rolling Stone have reported that the band’s “Power Up” campaign has evolved into a sustained global outing, with new North American dates now slotted between European festivals and additional international shows. According to Rolling Stone, AC/DC’s 2024–2025 dates were among the most in-demand classic rock tickets worldwide, and Billboard notes that the band’s return filled stadiums across Europe and Oceania, signaling robust demand for more US concerts.

As of May 21, 2026, current US information points to a continued presence in major markets, with additional American stadium and arena dates expected to fall in late summer and fall 2026. Fans tracking presales and onsales should monitor official ticketing partners and venue sites closely; several early onsales in comparable markets in 2024–2025 sold out within hours, per reporting from Variety and Pollstar.

How AC/DC’s ‘Power Up’ comeback took shape after years away

AC/DC’s extended touring push in 2026 is the payoff to a comeback many fans thought might never happen. The group had been largely off the road since 2016, when frontman Brian Johnson was forced to step aside mid-tour due to serious hearing issues. As The New York Times recapped, Johnson’s departure led to Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose stepping in as a temporary live vocalist, a move that kept the tour going but raised questions about the band’s future.

The turning point came with 2020’s “Power Up” album, recorded with Johnson back on vocals, Phil Rudd on drums, Cliff Williams on bass, and Stevie Young replacing his late uncle Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar alongside Angus Young. According to Billboard, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming AC/DC’s third chart-topping LP in the United States and one of rock’s strongest pure-sales releases of the streaming era.

Although pandemic restrictions initially kept the band off the road, the “Power Up” record proved that AC/DC could still make a major impact with new music rather than relying solely on legacy hits. Rolling Stone and NPR Music both highlighted the album’s back-to-basics approach and Angus Young’s insistence on honoring Malcolm’s riffs and writing style, framing the record as both tribute and reboot.

Once large-scale touring resumed, the stage was set for AC/DC to test whether their arena and stadium power still translated in real time. The band’s first major live proof-of-concept came at the 2023 Power Trip festival in Indio, California, where they headlined alongside Metallica and Iron Maiden. Per Consequence and Spin, the set marked AC/DC’s first full concert in seven years and featured Brian Johnson sounding unexpectedly strong, putting renewed touring firmly back on the table.

Lineup in 2026: who’s actually onstage with AC/DC?

With a band that’s been active for five decades, lineup clarity matters. Fans planning to see AC/DC on the 2026 US leg of the “Power Up” tour can expect a configuration that mirrors the core of their classic sound while acknowledging the realities of age and loss.

As of May 21, 2026, the touring lineup is built around:

• Brian Johnson — lead vocals
• Angus Young — lead guitar
• Stevie Young — rhythm guitar
• Cliff Williams — bass
• Matt Laug — drums on recent dates, following earlier stints including 2023’s Power Trip

According to Variety’s coverage of the Power Trip set and subsequent European dates, longtime drummer Phil Rudd has not been a regular presence on recent tours due to legal and health-related issues, with session veteran Matt Laug taking the drum throne live. This lineup preserves AC/DC’s twin-guitar crunch and thunderous rhythm section while giving Johnson the space he needs to manage his hearing, thanks to customized in-ear technology he’s described in interviews with Rolling Stone.

Malcolm Young, who co-founded AC/DC and defined their rhythm guitar style, died in 2017 after a long battle with dementia. His influence continues to loom large. Angus has repeatedly emphasized in conversations with outlets like The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal that both the “Power Up” album and the subsequent tours are conceived as a tribute to Malcolm’s writing and work ethic, with Stevie Young replicating his uncle’s parts in meticulous detail.

Cliff Williams, who briefly announced his retirement at the end of the “Rock or Bust” tour, returned for “Power Up” and the current live shows. Per Billboard, Williams has suggested that he was persuaded back by the strength of the new material and a desire to close the book properly with the lineup that made the album, rather than letting the band’s story end on a forced hiatus.

New setlist twists: ‘Power Up’ tracks and deep cuts

AC/DC’s setlists have always leaned heavily on their biggest hits — “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “Thunderstruck,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “T.N.T.,” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” are essentially immovable. But the longer the “Power Up” tour runs, the more the band has been willing to tinker around the edges, squeezing in album cuts and rotating songs to give repeat attendees a fresh jolt.

As of May 21, 2026, fan-sourced setlist archives and reviews from outlets like Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock indicate that AC/DC have consistently featured at least two or three songs from “Power Up” in their nightly rotation, including “Shot in the Dark,” “Realize,” and “Witch’s Spell.” Loudwire has highlighted how the newer tracks slot surprisingly well alongside the classics, maintaining the band’s trademark stomp while giving Johnson and Angus material that was written with their current strengths in mind.

The band have also toyed with deeper cuts from across their catalog on different legs, occasionally dusting off songs like “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It),” “Riff Raff,” and “Dog Eat Dog.” According to Stereogum’s coverage of earlier European shows, these vault dips have been well-received by hardcore fans, while casual listeners still get a set packed with the standard radio staples that have driven rock stations in the United States for decades.

For the 2026 US shows, it’s reasonable to expect a similar structure: a heavy emphasis on classics built around the “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell” eras, with a rotating handful of “Power Up” tracks and select deep cuts. Given the tour’s extended run, there is room for incremental changes, and fans who attend multiple nights in different cities may catch rare songs that don’t appear every evening.

US venues, ticket demand, and what to expect at the shows

One of the defining stories of AC/DC’s current era is just how many people still want to see them. As of May 21, 2026, tickets for the band’s 2024–2025 shows in Europe and South America routinely landed in Pollstar’s top-grossing weekly box office charts, confirming that the demand for high-voltage, arena-sized rock remains strong. Billboard has similarly noted that classic rock heritage acts like AC/DC and Metallica continue to rank near the top of worldwide touring grosses.

In the United States, the extended “Power Up” tour is expected to lean heavily on major arenas and select stadiums, particularly in rock-strong markets. While specific 2026 venues may shift as routing firms up, past and likely stops include:

• Madison Square Garden in New York City
• MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
• SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
• Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Soldier Field or Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois
• AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

Many of these venues have hosted AC/DC on past tours, and operators like Live Nation Entertainment and AEG Presents have a well-established track record of promoting large-scale rock shows there. According to the Los Angeles Times and USA Today, AC/DC’s previous visits to West Coast stadiums have routinely sold out or come close, with older fans bringing their teenagers — and in some cases grandchildren — to experience a show that spans generations.

Fans attending the 2026 shows can expect AC/DC’s standard live formula: a massive production built around towering amplification, a wall of Marshall cabinets, a runway for Angus Young’s duck-walk solos, and high-impact lighting plus pyro. Reviews from 2024–2025 shows compiled by Consequence emphasize that the band has not radically updated its stage aesthetics; instead, they have refined the pacing to match the members’ current energy levels while preserving the visual language fans associate with albums like “Back in Black” and “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You).”

Volume remains a defining factor. Even with modern sound engineering designed to protect both the band and the audience, AC/DC’s concerts are still among the loudest legacy rock shows on the road. Ear protection is strongly recommended, especially for younger attendees. Johnson’s hearing issues, which once threatened to end his touring career altogether, are being managed with advanced in-ear monitoring technology developed with audio specialists, as referenced in his interviews with Rolling Stone and BBC Radio.

How to get tickets and avoid the resale trap

With demand high and many fans treating the “Power Up” era as a potential last chance to see AC/DC in person, the ticket market can be intense. As of May 21, 2026, fans should be wary of informal resellers and unverified ticket platforms, particularly for major US shows where dynamic pricing and limited allocations can drive up costs quickly.

Industry trackers like Billboard and Pollstar recommend sticking to verified outlets such as Ticketmaster, AXS, venue box offices, and official fan club presales. For AC/DC, check the tour itinerary and ticket links on the band’s official channels first, and cross-reference any presale codes or onsale times against announcements from promoters like Live Nation and AEG Presents.

While secondary marketplaces are a reality of modern touring economics, safety and authenticity should come first. Fans are urged to:

• Use only verified resale options that offer transfer guarantees and fraud protection.
• Beware of social media ticket offers from unknown individuals, which can be difficult to verify.
• Monitor price fluctuations; high early resale prices sometimes soften closer to show dates if inventory remains.
• Consider midweek shows or markets slightly outside major hubs, which can be less pressured than New York or Los Angeles dates.

Given that AC/DC’s 2024–2025 shows frequently sold out, per reporting in Variety and the Associated Press, fans hoping to catch the 2026 US leg should plan ahead and sign up for email updates from both the band and local venues to catch presale windows as they open.

Why AC/DC’s 2026 run matters for US rock culture

AC/DC’s decision to keep the “Power Up” campaign rolling into 2026 isn’t just another classic rock tour extension; it’s a symbolic moment for the state of loud, guitar-driven music in the United States. In a landscape where contemporary pop, hip-hop, and country dominate the Billboard Hot 100, the ability of a five-decade-old hard rock band to fill football stadiums and NBA arenas says something about rock’s ongoing live power.

According to The Washington Post and NPR Music, the economics of touring have increasingly pivoted toward heritage acts with deep catalogs and multigenerational appeal. AC/DC fits that profile perfectly. Many US fans first encountered them through classic rock radio, movie soundtracks, or sports arenas, where songs like “Thunderstruck” and “Back in Black” have become staples. That broad familiarity translates into a fan base that spans ages 15 to 65, a rare asset in a fragmented streaming era.

AC/DC’s endurance also serves as a bridge between eras. The band came up in the 1970s alongside acts like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith, helped define the sound of 1980s hard rock with albums like “Back in Black” and “For Those About to Rock,” and weathered the grunge and alt-rock explosions of the 1990s and 2000s without dramatically altering their sound. As Variety has pointed out, this stubborn consistency is both their artistic calling card and a core part of their commercial appeal.

For US rock festivals and promoters, AC/DC’s ongoing viability offers a marquee headliner that can anchor multi-day events and draw cross-demographic crowds. Their appearance at Power Trip in California demonstrated how a single AC/DC night can boost a festival’s overall profile, and their continued touring increases the odds of future US festival plays, whether at rock-focused events or multi-genre gatherings.

For younger bands in the US, seeing AC/DC still command this level of attention underscores the long tail of rock influence: riffs, hooks, and concise songwriting remain powerful live tools, even if streaming algorithms favor shorter songs and genre-hopping experimentation. The band’s 2026 US dates will likely inspire social media content, bootleg clips, and renewed interest in guitar-driven music across TikTok and YouTube.

Where to find more AC/DC coverage and context

As the “Power Up” tour evolves and additional 2026 US dates are confirmed, coverage will continue to roll in from major American music outlets and local newspapers in each tour stop. Dedicated fans can find more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS at this internal search hub: more AC/DC coverage on AD HOC NEWS.

For official updates — including late-breaking venue changes, added shows, and VIP package details — AC/DC’s official site and social channels remain the primary source of truth. Combining these with reporting from outlets like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Variety provides a balanced picture that blends hard data (ticket grosses, box office numbers, chart impacts) with qualitative reviews and fan perspective.

FAQ: AC/DC’s 2026 ‘Power Up’ US tour

Are AC/DC officially touring the United States in 2026?

As of May 21, 2026, AC/DC have extended their “Power Up” world tour and are expected to play additional US dates, with new shows reflected on their official tour listings and reported on by outlets including Billboard and Rolling Stone. Fans should watch official venue and promoter announcements for precise city and date confirmations.

Which AC/DC members are performing on the current tour?

The current live lineup centers on Brian Johnson (vocals) and Angus Young (lead guitar), joined by Stevie Young (rhythm guitar), Cliff Williams (bass), and drummer Matt Laug on recent legs. As of May 21, 2026, this configuration has been documented in coverage by Variety, Loudwire, and other reputable music outlets.

What songs will AC/DC play on the 2026 US leg?

Setlists vary slightly by night, but reviews and fan reports suggest a core of classic hits — “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “Thunderstruck,” “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “T.N.T.,” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” — alongside several songs from the “Power Up” album such as “Shot in the Dark” and “Realize.” Deep cuts occasionally appear depending on the leg.

How loud are AC/DC shows, and should I bring ear protection?

AC/DC are known for exceptionally loud concerts. Even with modern sound regulations, volume levels at arenas and stadiums can be intense. Hearing specialists and touring professionals typically recommend earplugs, especially for children and for fans sitting close to the stage or PA arrays.

How can I buy AC/DC tickets safely in the US?

For the 2026 US shows, use only official ticketing channels such as primary sellers (Ticketmaster, AXS, venue box offices) and verified resale platforms recommended by promoters. Avoid informal social media resales, and always confirm that the date and venue match the information posted on AC/DC’s official channels.

Is this likely to be AC/DC’s last major US tour?

The band has not formally announced any “farewell” language as of May 21, 2026. However, given the members’ ages and recent history of health challenges, many fans and commentators treat the “Power Up” era as a potentially rare chance to see AC/DC at full force in US arenas and stadiums. Whether it proves to be the final large-scale tour will likely depend on the band’s health and interest after 2026.

However long it ultimately lasts, AC/DC’s extended “Power Up” run has already cemented itself as one of the defining rock comebacks of the 2020s in the United States. For fans planning to join the thunder in 2026, the message is simple: check the official listings, secure tickets early, pack ear protection — and be ready for one more night of high voltage.

By the AD HOC NEWS Music Desk » Rock and pop coverage — The AD HOC NEWS Music Desk, with AI-assisted research support, reports daily on albums, tours, charts, and scene developments across the United States and internationally.
Published: May 21, 2026 · Last reviewed: May 21, 2026

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