Carrie Underwood has spent more than two decades on the road, on stage, and in the spotlight — so when she recently confirmed she won’t be touring in 2026, fans didn’t panic. Instead, they applauded.
The country superstar and American Idol winner is entering her second season as a judge on the very show that launched her career back in 2005. While some artists feel pressure to constantly stay on the move, Underwood is proving that stepping back can be just as powerful as charging ahead.
Over the last few years alone, her schedule has been relentless. She wrapped up her wildly successful Reflection Las Vegas residency in April 2025, performing 72 shows across three years for fans who traveled from around the world to see her. Before that, she crisscrossed the country on her Denim & Rhinestones Tour, which ran from late 2022 into early 2023.
And when she isn’t lighting up arenas or television screens, Underwood’s life looks refreshingly grounded. Much of her downtime is spent on her farm, tending to animals and growing her own fruits and vegetables. Gardening, she’s shared, has become one of her greatest sources of peace.
“My garden is one of my happy places,” she once wrote. “When I’m getting my hands dirty, it’s my time for thought and reflection.” Fans are used to seeing her proudly show off homegrown squash, blueberries, and tomatoes — a quieter side of a global superstar.
That balance seems to be exactly what she’s protecting now.
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Underwood confirmed she has no plans to tour in 2026. When asked directly, she laughed and replied, “No! Nah. I’ll go see them,” jokingly referring to fellow Idol judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, both of whom are gearing up for busy tour schedules.
While Underwood didn’t offer a detailed explanation, the decision makes sense. She currently isn’t promoting a new album, and instead appears focused on her role at American Idol, where she’s said she feels far more confident and settled this season than during her first year behind the judges’ table.
That doesn’t mean fans won’t see her at all. Underwood is still scheduled to appear at select festivals in 2026, including the Wildlands Music Festival in Montana and the Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts — just without the grind of a full tour.
Online, the reaction has been overwhelmingly supportive. Fans praised her for prioritizing balance, family, and well-being, with many pointing out that she’s more than earned the right to slow down without stepping away entirely.
For Carrie Underwood, 2026 isn’t about disappearing — it’s about choosing presence over pressure. And judging by the response, fans are more than happy to follow her lead.
