Fans of Billy Joel and Sting who have been eagerly waiting for their mega-concert at Rice-Eccles Stadium will need to keep their enthusiasm on hold, following a significant delay in the event's schedule. Originally slated for May 23, the show will now entertain crowds almost a year later, on May 22, 2026. According to FOX 13, the postponement was announced by Billy Joel over his Instagram, citing the need to recover from recent surgery and subsequent physical therapy.
The surgery, which has pushed the "Piano Man" to amend his touring calendar, is linked to Joel’s health concerns, as he is expected to make a complete recovery. Fans who had planned their schedules around the original date were provided with this update by KSLTV, who mentioned that, as of Tuesday, it was not clear whether Sting would still join Joel on the new date. The change is undoubtedly disconcerting for concertgoers who were counting down the days until the event.
This isn't the first time Joel has performed in Utah, having last serenaded audiences at the venue then known as Vivint Smart Home Arena back in November 2017. Despite the setback, there's a silver lining for ticket holders. All tickets purchased for the original event will remain valid for the rescheduled performance. The update from The Salt Lake Tribune, assures that Joel's tour will resume beginning in Pittsburgh on July 5, 2025, before the artist makes his way back to Utah in 2026.
While the delay is nearly a year, and has likely altered the plans of countless fans, the anticipation for such a musical collaboration remains high. Both artists, with storied careers and impressive catalogs, ensure the concert is one to look forward to, and perhaps, the extra wait will heighten the eventual experience. It's worth noting that the rescheduled date still features both icons, confirmed in a statement by the artists. So, while the Pittsburgh leg of Joel’s tour is a go for July 5, the Utah fans will just have to sit tight a bit longer for the Piano Man and the former Police frontman to take the stage together.
