Ariana Grande Teases 2026 Return to Touring

Ariana Grande on Wednesday teased an announcement suggesting she will return to performing in 2026, posting a short, science fiction styled clip on Instagram that ends with the message See you next year. The brief video echoed imagery from her recent Brighter Days Ahead short film and included an automated voice saying a corrupt file has been found and corrected, prompting speculation that the pop star is preparing to mount live shows next year.

The teaser shows four small screens and a wrinkled hand reaching toward one, a clear nod to the Peaches character from the Brighter Days Ahead film that accompanied the deluxe edition of Grande’s 2024 album Eternal Sunshine. The clip also flashed archival concert footage that some observers interpreted as hints toward a tour. Grande tagged Live Nation in the post, an indication that major promoters may be involved.

Reports since the teaser have varied. Images and accounts circulated within 24 hours suggesting initial dates covering nine U.S. cities and a five night run at London’s O2 Arena, and one tabloid published a list of early U.K. stops and named the run the Brighter Days Tour. Other outlets and industry observers have pointed to...