Rupp Arena announces first major concert rescheduling date due to COVID pandemic
Rupp Arena concerts are returning: Elton John announced that he will bring his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour to Lexington.
But don’t rush to get your ruby slippers just yet: The tour kicks off in Berlin in September 2021 and won’t arrive at Rupp until April 9, 2022. It also will be play Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center on April 16.
This is the first major tour to announce a rescheduling date for Lexington since events began canceling in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Elton John began canceling concerts in mid-March.
It isn’t clear exactly what the new concert format will look like yet, since a lot of that will depend on the state of the pandemic and potential vaccines.
Elton John was originally planning to play Rupp Arena on June 5.
If you had tickets to that concert, they will still be honored, including the seat assignment, according to Sheila Kenny, Rupp Arena spokeswoman.
If you can’t make the new date, you still can get a refund at rupparena.com/events/detail/elton-john.
Tickets are still available for Lexington, Kenny said. Tickets go on sale 10 a.m. at ticketmaster.com.
The U.S. leg of Elton John’s rescheduled tour will begin in January 2022 in New Orleans. New stadium performances will be set for the end of the tour.
The musical star announced the news on social media, saying, “I’ve been enjoying my time at home with the family while the world navigates its way through the COVID pandemic. But, I really miss being on the road and performing for my beloved fans in my Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. While the scientists are making great progress, we are making big plans for a return to touring that will allow us to ensure the health and safety of everyone. I will be starting my tour again in Europe and the UK in the Fall of 2021. And I will be back in North America starting in January 2022. This means my New Zealand dates will be postponed until 2023. Don’t worry about me. I’m using my downtime to keep myself fighting fit and healthier than ever. I’m raring to go! As always, thank you so much for your loyal support. I look forward to seeing all you wonderful Elton John fans soon. In the meantime, please stay safe and be well. Thank you!”
Although Elton John’s is the first act to announce new dates, he won’t be the first to play at Rupp in the COVID era.
Lauren Daigle is set to play May 20, 2021, Jojo Siwa on July 14, Jim Gaffigan on Aug. 18 and the Backstreet Boys on Sept. 8, all events rescheduled from 2020.
Other concert news for Rupp Arena will be coming soon as more acts reschedule, Kenny said.
