Mike Portnoy recently clarified Dream Theater’s decision regarding their European tour plans. He addressed misconceptions in a statement shared on BluntMag.
When asked about the cancellation of the band’s planned European tour for next year and their current plans for 2026, Portnoy emphasized that the situation was a matter of changing plans rather than canceling an existing tour.
“You used the right phrase. We canceled our plans,” Portnoy explained. “A lot of people misinterpreted that as cancelling a tour, but that tour never existed. It was a hypothetical plan that we had and we ended up just changing our plans.”
The band had already achieved significant success in Europe during their previous visits. Portnoy elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision.
“Sometimes plans change. So we decided not to go back to Europe for a third time and instead used that time that we had allotted for some other plans that will be announced soon. We had already been to Europe twice on this tour and both tours there were the biggest and best most successful tours that we’ve ever had in Europe,” Portnoy said.
Dream Theater has scheduled an extensive tour across Asia and Australia instead of returning to Europe. The band will perform shows in Japan, Korea, Singapore, Dubai, Malaysia, and Indonesia. They will also perform Australian dates in January through March 2026. Portnoy indicated that additional announcements regarding further tour dates will follow.
“The plan all along was to be on the road through next spring,” Portnoy concluded. “We started this tour a year ago, October of 2024, and now here we are a year later. When all said and done, the entire tour cycle will be about a year and a half, wrapping up by next spring.”
This strategic shift marks a significant moment for the legendary progressive rock band. They are embarking on a major international campaign to celebrate their legacy and reconnect with fans across new territories.
The Rock Pit reported that Dream Theater is embarking on their 40th Anniversary Tour in 2026. The classic quintet of James LaBrie (vocals), John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), and Mike Portnoy (drums) will reunite for this historic run. This lineup marks their first tour in Australia together in over fifteen years, making the 2026 dates particularly significant for fans in the region.
The Australian leg of the tour will kick off in February 2026. Confirmed shows include dates in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, as noted by Destroy All Lines. The band has expressed considerable enthusiasm about this reunion. They stated: “The excitement we have felt from the fans since the first leg of this tour was announced has been overwhelming! Now we get to bring the show to our fans all across the world, and play a bunch of cities that we haven’t been together in for more than a decade. We can’t wait to continue this historic celebration of 40 years together with everyone in Asia and Australia next year.”
The Asia and Australia leg represents a continuation of the band’s successful touring cycle that began in October 2024. Wall of Sound AU noted that fans can expect a mix of classics and fan favorites from Dream Theater’s extensive catalog. The setlist will celebrate four decades of progressive music. VIP packages are available for select shows, including early entry, merchandise access, and limited edition souvenirs. These offerings provide dedicated fans with enhanced experiences at these milestone performances.
Dream Theater is positioning itself for a comprehensive global celebration of its 40-year legacy. The tour spans from January through March 2026 across Asia and Australia, followed by additional unannounced dates. The decision to prioritize these regions over a third European tour demonstrates the band’s commitment to reaching audiences in territories where they haven’t performed together in considerable time. This ensures that fans worldwide can participate in this historic anniversary celebration.
