Ronnie Wood says The Rolling Stones’ new album is “done” and coming in 2026. He also suggests that they could be heading back out on tour soon. Ronnie Wood has revealed that the new album from The Rolling Stones is “done” and set for release next year. Rumours about the iconic rock band working on new material arose earlier this summer, and then got new momentum this month when producer Andrew Watt revealed that he had been working with the line-up again to help them make an upcoming album.

Ronnie Wood says The Rolling Stones’ new album is “done” and coming in 2026. He also suggests that they could be heading back out on tour soon. Ronnie Wood has revealed that the new album from The Rolling Stones is “done” and set for release next year.

Rumours about the iconic rock band working on new material arose earlier this summer, and then got new momentum this month when producer Andrew Watt revealed that he had been working with the line-up again to help them make an upcoming album.

In a moment that many Stones fans have been waiting for, guitarist Ronnie Wood has confirmed that the next Rolling Stones album is finished and slated for release in 2026. At a signing event at their RS No. 9 boutique in London’s Carnaby Street, Wood told The Sun’s Bizarre column:“Yes, you will be getting a new album next year. It is done.”

His remarks appear to mark the first time a core member of the band has publicly declared the project complete. When asked whether the Stones plan to hit the road again, Wood added,“Yes we are hoping to do some dates. Hopefully we will be back out there but I am still waiting to find out myself.”

If all goes to plan, this album would become their 25th studio release and follow their 2023 comeback original record, Hackney Diamonds.What We Already Knew: Rumblings Behind the Scenes

Although Wood’s confirmation is the most overt acknowledgment yet, hints and leaks have been circulating for months.Producer Andrew Watt, who helmed Hackney Diamonds, revealed earlier in September that he is back at the helm of the new project. He described working with the band as “like working for Batman” and said, “I can say we did some recording together, but that’s all I can say.”In interviews dating back to earlier in the year, Watt and others tied to the Stones suggested there was leftover material from the Hackney Diamonds sessions, as well as new songs written since.Marlon Richards, son of Keith Richards, has also weighed in. In May, he told Record Collector that the band was working in Chiswick (West London), calling the new material “nearly done.” He added:“They’re in Chiswick or somewhere like that; I think they’re nearly done. They still maintain these ridiculous hours: after lunch until, like, two in the morning.”Marlon also floated the idea of a European tour in support of the new material, though no firm plans have been confirmed.

Taken together, these reports have built a consistent narrative: the Stones have been quietly working, refining material, and holding back larger announcements until they’re ready.Why This Is Significant (and Surprising)

For a band of their vintage and legacy, the idea of completing a new studio album within a relatively short span since Hackney Diamonds is noteworthy. The Stones had not released an album of new original material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang, making Hackney Diamonds their long-awaited return.

That said, several factors may have accelerated or facilitated this process:Momentum from Hackney Diamonds: That album not only earned critical praise but also found commercial success, reinforcing that the Stones still have creative fuel in the tank.Preexisting material: The band may have had leftover or partially completed tracks from previous sessions, which could be refined and polished rather than built entirely from scratch.Modern working methods: Advances in recording tech and the band’s access to flexible studio time may enable more rapid collaboration, despite busy schedules and aging logistical constraints.

Still, completing an album and releasing it are two different things; delays in mixing, mastering, label schedules, promotional rollout, and physical production could all affect a 2026 release date.Will the Stones Tour Again?

Wood’s comments indicate optimism about touring again, though he stops short of a definitive commitment. “I am still waiting to find out myself,” he said.

Here are the considerations and clues so far:Past tour cancellations / scheduling issues: Earlier this year, reports suggested that planned UK and European tours were abandoned due to scheduling conflicts and logistical challenges.American success in 2024: The band played U.S. stadium dates in 2024, demonstrating they can still draw large-scale audiences.Age and stamina: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood are all in their 80s or late 70s. Sustaining a global stadium tour at that stage is a nontrivial undertaking—though the band has shown a willingness to push boundaries before.Strategic timing: A tour following the album’s release would align with their traditional model of using tours to support new LPs, helping drive record sales, publicity, and fan engagement.

In short, the hints and overtures are there, but the path from “hoping to do some dates” to an actual global tour is fraught with logistics, health, scheduling, and market demand.What We Still Don’t Know

Despite Wood’s emphatic statement, many questions remain unanswered:Exact release date / window: “Next year” is vague. Will it arrive in early, mid, or late 2026?Track listing / collaborators: Which songs will make the cut? Will there be high-profile guest features as on Hackney Diamonds (which included Elton John, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga)?Format and rollout: Will there be deluxe versions, vinyl, streaming exclusives, etc.?Tour routing and scale: Will the band risk a stadium tour, or opt for more limited, curated shows?Health contingencies: Given their age, how will the band plan for contingencies (rest, travel, weather, etc.)?Outlook and Fan Expectations

For longtime fans, this announcement reaffirms that The Rolling Stones—against all odds—still consider themselves an active creative entity rather than a legacy act resting on past glory. The idea of a new album in 2026 breathes renewed excitement into what many had begun to think of as a closing chapter.

If the album release is followed by a tour, it would likely become one of the most talked-about rock events of the decade—both for its historic significance and sheer defiance of time. Still, fans should temper expectations: the Stones have never been in a rush, and perfectionism may delay release or touring plans.

In the meantime, with Wood’s confirmation in hand and further details likely to emerge over the coming months, the anticipation that the Stones’ story is far from over feels more justified than ever.If you like, I can prepare a shorter version or a breaking-news update as new announcements come in. Do you want me to send that later?