Titans of Metal Unite: Alice Cooper and Judas Priest Announce Heavy Co-Headlining Tour

The late-summer/fall voyage will feature Corrosion of Conformity as a special guest.

Alice Cooper (on the left) and Rob Halford of Judas Priest JENNY RISHER*/PER OLE HAGEN/REDFERNS

Judas Priest and Alice Cooper are performing a legendary co-headlining tour in 22 cities across North America in the latter part of this summer and into the autumn.

The tour will commence in Mississippi in September and will extend across the United States and Canada until the end of October. Corrosion of Conformity will accompany them on the tour and will perform on all dates except for the show in Georgia on September 18. Artist presale tickets will be available beginning Wednesday, and tickets will be available for purchase at 10 a.m. local time on Friday.

The tour announcement was made immediately after the news of the passing of former Judas Priest drummer Les Binks. Binks was a member of the band for two years, and he contributed to the albums Stained Class and Killing Machine, as well as the live record Unleashed in the East. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the band and even performed at the ceremony.

Last spring, Judas Priest released their 19th album, Invincible Shield, and subsequently embarked on a tour in support of it. Cooper’s most recent album is Road, which was released in 2023. In support of the album, he will embark on a solo headlining tour entitled “Too Close for Comfort” this summer.

Alice Cooper and Judas Priest Tour Dates

Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS, September 16
Alpharetta, GA: Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, September 18
Charlotte, NC, PNC Music Pavilion, September 20
Sept. 21 – Franklin, TN, FirstBank Amphitheater
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, Virginia Beach, VA, September 24
September 26, Holmdel, NJ, at the PNC Bank Arts Center
Broadview Stage at SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY, September 27
Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON, September 29
October 1 — The Pavilion at Star Lake, Burgettstown, PA
on October 2 at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan
Oct. 4 – Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
Oct. 5 – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL
Colorado Springs, CO — Broadmoor World Arena, October 10
Oct. 12 – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, Salt Lake City, UT
Oct. 14 – Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
Oct. 15 – Toyota Amphitheatre, Wheatland, CA
North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, CA, October 18
October 19 – Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA
Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ, October 22
Oct. 23 – Isleta Amphitheater, Albuquerque, NM
October 25 – Germania Insurance Amphitheater, Austin, TX
October 26, Houston, TX, at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

* Without the assistance of Corrosion of Conformity

Titans of Metal Unite: Alice Cooper and Judas Priest Announce Heavy Co-Headlining Tour

In a seismic moment for heavy metal fans around the world, Alice Cooper and Judas Priest have officially announced a massive co-headlining tour that is set to deliver a thunderous blend of shock rock and classic British heavy metal. With both acts boasting legendary careers spanning over five decades, this collaboration promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for rock enthusiasts of all ages.

The tour, which will see the two icons share the stage across North America and Europe, is already being hailed as one of the most anticipated events in recent rock history. Fans have long speculated about the possibility of such a pairing, and now the dream is becoming reality. With Alice Cooper’s flair for theatrical horror and Judas Priest’s relentless metal assault, this tour will be a celebration of all things loud, rebellious, and unforgettable.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier, revolutionized live rock performances in the early 1970s by fusing music with shock theater. Guillotines, electric chairs, snakes, and fake blood became trademarks of his shows, earning him the title “The Godfather of Shock Rock.” His hit songs like “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Poison” became anthems of teen angst and gothic fun.

On the other side of the stage, Judas Priest brings a brand of heavy metal that has defined the genre since the 1970s. Formed in Birmingham, England, the same city that birthed Black Sabbath, the band emerged as a key player in shaping the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). With hits like “Breaking the Law,” “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’,” and “Painkiller,” Judas Priest forged a sound that combined speed, power, and theatrical flair.

The synergy between Cooper’s dark theatricality and Priest’s steely metal force is expected to create a concert experience unlike any other. Each night of the tour will be a double-header of heavy rock history, with both acts delivering full-length performances complete with their signature staging, pyrotechnics, and larger-than-life personas.

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford expressed his excitement in a joint statement: “Touring with Alice is going to be something really special. We’ve always admired what he’s done, pushing boundaries and bringing theater to rock. We can’t wait to raise hell together on stage.”

Alice Cooper echoed the sentiment: “Judas Priest is the epitome of heavy metal. We’ve toured with a lot of great bands, but teaming up with Priest—this is going to be next level. We’re planning something absolutely insane.”

Though the exact tour dates are yet to be fully unveiled, the initial schedule indicates a launch in early 2026, kicking off in the United States before heading to Europe in the summer. Venues are expected to include both indoor arenas and major outdoor festivals, giving fans plenty of opportunities to catch the duo live.

Both acts have remained active in recent years, showing no signs of slowing down. Judas Priest released their nineteenth studio album Invincible Shield in 2024, earning critical acclaim for its powerful riffs and classic metal energy. Alice Cooper, too, has continued to release new music while touring extensively and even making appearances in film and television.

The upcoming tour is expected to include a mix of classic hits, deep cuts, and a few surprises. There has even been speculation about onstage collaborations between Cooper and members of Judas Priest—something fans are already clamoring to see. With both acts being no strangers to showmanship, anything could happen once the lights go down.

The production for the tour is reportedly being handled by some of the best in the business, with plans to incorporate state-of-the-art visuals, props, and sound systems to ensure an immersive experience for audiences. Given the theatrical pedigree of both performers, fans should brace for a spectacle that rivals anything in rock history.

Longtime followers of both Alice Cooper and Judas Priest will remember that this is not their first time sharing the spotlight. Over the decades, their paths have crossed at festivals and on select tour bills. However, this marks the first time they’ve co-headlined a full-scale international tour—solidifying their status as enduring forces in rock and metal.

The announcement has already sent shockwaves through the rock community, with fans taking to social media to share their excitement, memories, and hopes for the setlists. “It’s like a dream come true,” wrote one user. “I’ve seen them both separately, but together? That’s legendary.”

For younger fans who may be new to these acts, the tour is also a gateway into the roots of heavy metal and theatrical rock. It serves as a living history lesson, showcasing how artists like Cooper and Judas Priest laid the groundwork for genres ranging from glam metal to extreme metal and even punk.

Industry analysts expect ticket sales to be brisk, with VIP packages, exclusive merchandise, and meet-and-greet opportunities likely to be part of the offerings. Rock radio stations and streaming platforms have already seen a spike in plays of both artists’ music following the tour announcement.

Critics, too, are watching with anticipation. “This is more than a concert,” one music journalist commented. “It’s a convergence of two mythologies. You’ve got Alice, the dark ringmaster, and Priest, the metal gods. It’s rock theater meets British steel.”

As the tour draws closer, more details will emerge, including supporting acts, special guests, and promotional tie-ins. Rumors are already swirling about potential documentary coverage, a live album, or even a streaming concert event—though nothing has been confirmed.

One thing is certain: when Alice Cooper and Judas Priest hit the road together, fans are in for a no-holds-barred, skull-rattling, scream-inducing experience that celebrates everything that makes rock and roll dangerous, exhilarating, and eternal. For longtime headbangers and newcomers alike, this tour is a must-see event.

Stay tuned for official ticket release dates and a full list of cities and venues. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a metal pilgrimage.