The Song Is Over: The Who Set North America Farewell Tour

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Pete Townshend (in person) and Roger Daltrey (remotely) at The Who’s press conference announcing “The Song Is Over: North America Farewell Tour,” May 8, 2025.

The Who have announced their final tour of the U.S. and Canada as a grand finale of their illustrious six-decade career. The news was revealed by Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey during a press conference at the Iconic Images gallery in Piccadilly, London. The 2025 series of dates, aptly titled “The Song Is Over North America Farewell Tour,” is named after the band’s 1971 classic song from Who’s Next. The tour’s name “was Roger’s idea,” said Townshend, “and it’s brilliant.”

Tickets for these August and September shows will be available starting with a Citi presale and through the Who Fan Club (details below) beginning on May 13. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on May 16 at 10 a.m. local time here.

“Pete’s still playing great guitar,” said Daltrey via a remote link. “And the music still has such vitality. We’re not going to please the [entire] audience. [But] they’ve met their wives and husbands [at our concerts] and are now taking their grandchildren.”

Townshend, who will turn 80 on May 19, acknowledged that he had done hypnosis to help him cope with the rigors of touring. “Being on the road is not a great way to live,” he said, adding, “When we look at artists like the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, the joy is from… the link between the creative stuff and the performing. There’s that sense of closing a circle. Some of the songs from Who’s Next paved the way for stadium rock [concerts].”

The pair were asked whether they would do a U.K. farewell. “Let’s see if we survive this one,” said Daltrey, who admitted frustration that his native country “has decided to make it as difficult as possible to get from A to B. I’m not confident to say there will be [a U.K. leg].”

Pete Townshend at the press conference.

Townshend agreed, adding, “We could do a week at the O2 or a week at the Royal Albert Hall.”

In a prepared statement, Daltrey, who turned 81 on March 1, said: “Every musician’s dream in the early 60’s was to make it big in the U.S. charts. For the Who, that dream came true in 1967 and our lives were changed forever. The warmth of the American audiences over the years have been inspirational to me, and reflect the feeling I remember getting after hearing the first rock records coming across the radio. Musical freedom! Rock gave us a feeling of generational rebellion. To me, America has always been great. The cultural differences had a huge impact on me, this was the land of the possible. It’s not easy to end the big part of my life that touring with The Who has been. Thanks for being there for us and look forward to seeing you one last time.”

Also in that prepared statement, Townshend said: “Well, all good things must come to an end. It is a poignant time. For me, playing to American audiences and those in Canada has always been incredible. The warmth and engagement of those audiences began back in 1967 with hippies smoking dope, sitting on their blankets and listening deeply and intensely. Music was everywhere. We all felt equal. Today, Roger and I still carry the banner for the late Keith Moon and John Entwistle and of course, all of our longtime Who fans. I must say that although the road has not always been enjoyable for me, it is usually easy: the best job I could ever have had. I keep coming back. Every time I do, I meet new fans and feel new energy. Roger and I are in a good place, despite our age, eager to throw our weight behind this fond farewell to all our faithful fans, and hopefully to new ones who might jump in to see what they have been missing for the last 57 years. This tour will be about fond memories, love and laughter. Make sure you join in.”

Fans can join the Whooligan Fan Club here at to receive early ticket access, exclusive Whooligan merchandise, and a copy of the previously unreleased album, Live At The Oval 1971, one of The Who’s most legendary shows, which has been newly mixed and mastered from the original tapes.

The North American itinerary features many days off. Daltrey noted that his doctors have told him that he can’t do back-to-back dates, due to lingering throat issues.

The Who The Song Is Over 2025 North America Tour (Tickets will be available here)
Aug 16 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena
Aug 19 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Aug 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Aug 23 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Aug 26 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park
Aug 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Aug 30 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Sep 02 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sep 04 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sep 07 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sep 17 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
Sep 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
Sep 21 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sep 23 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Sep 25 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sep 28 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena