Nashville, TN — Country music is about to witness something unprecedented. In a joint press conference at the historic Ryman Auditorium, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood announced their 2026 co-headlining tour, One Last Ride — a sprawling, emotionally charged trek that promises to honor the genre’s past, electrify its present, and inspire its future.
The announcement came with the reveal of official tour dates and cities, and an ambitious vision: to create a live experience that blends powerhouse vocals, storytelling, and the unshakable resilience that both artists embody.
Two Icons, One Stage
For years, fans have dreamed of seeing Clarkson and Underwood — two of the most influential voices to emerge from reality competition roots — share a stage. Both have forged massive careers beyond their American Idol origins, with Underwood becoming one of country’s most decorated superstars and Clarkson evolving into a cross-genre powerhouse.
Now, after years of circling each other in award show performances and one-off collaborations, the two are finally uniting for what they call “a tour for the heart.”
“This isn’t just another set of shows,” Clarkson told reporters. “This is about connection — with the fans, with the music, and with each other.”
“We’re not doing this halfway,” Underwood added. “It’s going to be a revival of everything we love about country music — the grit, the soul, the storytelling.”
The Tour Dates & Cities
The One Last Ride tour kicks off May 15, 2026 in Dallas, TX, and will cover 28 cities across the U.S. and Canada before concluding with two massive nights at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in early September.
Full Schedule
- May 15 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
- May 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
- May 21 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
- May 24 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- May 28 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
- May 30 – Orlando, FL – Kia Center
- June 3 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
- June 6 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
- June 8 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
- June 10 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
- June 13 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- June 17 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- June 20 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
- June 22 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- June 25 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
- June 28 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
- July 2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
- July 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
- July 8 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
- July 11 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
- July 15 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
- July 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
- July 20 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
- July 24 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
- July 26 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- July 30 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
- Aug 2 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
- Sept 5 & 6 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium
The Show Concept
One Last Ride is designed as more than just a concert — it’s a two-and-a-half-hour storytelling journey. Backed by a shared 12-piece band, Clarkson and Underwood will alternate solo sets, join forces for duets, and reinterpret each other’s signature hits.
Fans can expect reimagined versions of:
- Clarkson’s Because of You, Since U Been Gone, and Piece by Piece
- Underwood’s Before He Cheats, Jesus, Take the Wheel, and Blown Away
And for the first time live, they’ll debut two brand-new collaborative songs recorded specifically for the tour.
“We wanted to give people something they’ve never heard before,” Underwood explained. “And writing together has been a blast — she pushes me in all the right ways.”
A Revival for Country Music’s Soul
The title One Last Ride isn’t a hint at retirement, but a nod to the spirit of renewal both women are chasing. After weathering personal storms — Clarkson’s public divorce and Underwood’s recovery from injury and private struggles — they see this tour as a celebration of survival and second chances.
“This tour is about putting the heart back into the music,” Clarkson said. “Country music has always been about telling the truth, even when it’s messy. That’s what we’re doing here.”
Special Guests and Surprises
Each stop will feature a surprise opening act drawn from a mix of rising country artists and established legends. Early confirmed guests include Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and The War and Treaty on select dates.
Underwood teased that “anything can happen” during the duets portion. “We’ve got some covers in mind that are going to shock people,” she laughed. “And yes, there will be moments where we completely switch genres.”
Fan Experience
Tickets go on sale October 12, 2025, with an exclusive pre-sale for fan club members beginning October 9. VIP packages include:
- Early entry and premium seating
- A pre-show acoustic set and Q&A with both artists
- A commemorative One Last Ride coffee table book
- Exclusive tour merchandise
For fans unable to attend in person, select shows will be streamed live through a partnership with Amazon Music.
Industry Impact
Billboard analysts predict One Last Ride could become one of the highest-grossing tours of 2026, citing the combined draw of both artists and the rare co-headline format.
“This is a dream ticket for fans of powerhouse vocals,” said industry veteran Linda Rodgers. “You’re getting two of the biggest voices of their generation on one stage — that’s history.”
The Emotional Undercurrent
Though the press conference was filled with laughs, there were also moments of visible emotion. Clarkson spoke candidly about how the tour is helping her “reclaim joy” after a difficult period, while Underwood reflected on the importance of celebrating the genre that gave them their start.
“When we walk out on that stage together,” Underwood said, “it’s going to feel like coming home.”
Closing Words
As the two women stood side-by-side under the Ryman’s historic lights, Clarkson put an arm around Underwood’s shoulder and grinned at the reporters.
“We’ve been through hell, we’ve been through heaven, and now we’re going on the ride together,” she said. “And we’re taking everyone with us.”
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