U2 to skip Chile on Latin American tour for first time after negotiations reportedly fall through

Irish rock band U2 will not be performing in Chile during their upcoming 2027 Latin American tour, marking a notable departure from their touring history in the region. The band, known for consistently including Santiago in their Latin American itineraries on four previous occasions, has omitted the city from the initial lineup of shows announced for February and March 2027.

The newly revealed tour dates feature six concerts across three major cities: Mexico City, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires. This announcement coincides with U2’s plans to celebrate their 50th anniversary, as well as the release of their 16th studio album, "Carnaval De Luz," scheduled for November 13, 2026. The band released a single sharing the tour's name, co-created with longtime collaborator Brian Eno, accompanied by a visually driven video directed by Anton Corbijn.

Negotiations to bring U2 back to Chile reportedly began as early as 2025, according to reports from Chilean media. However, these discussions have not culminated in a confirmed agreement. One significant obstacle appears to be the availability of Santiago’s Estadio Nacional, historically the venue for all of U2’s Chilean performances. The stadium has recently shifted priorities towards sporting events, complicating arrangements for large-scale concerts such as those required for U2’s elaborate stage productions.

Despite the central role Estadio Nacional has played in the band’s Chilean history, it remains unclear whether venue scheduling conflicts were the decisive factor in the tour omission. As of now, U2 has not issued any official statement addressing the absence of Chile from their Latin American tour schedule.

U2’s connection to Chile dates back to their first visit in 1998 during their ’PopMart’ tour. That performance included a poignant moment when the band invited relatives of victims from Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship to join them onstage for the song “Mothers of the Disappeared.” Subsequent tours brought the band back in 2006, 2011, and most recently in 2017 for the 30th anniversary of their seminal album "The Joshua Tree."

The 2017 concert at Estadio Nacional was notable for its large-scale production, featuring the innovative four-legged stage design dubbed “The Claw.” This level of production complexity underscores the logistical demands that might have influenced the difficulties in securing an appropriate venue for the 2027 tour.

The upcoming tour will showcase U2’s drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who is returning to full live performance after a hiatus caused by neck and back surgery. His recovery marks an important milestone for the band, as he missed their recent residency at the Las Vegas Sphere during 2023-24.

Supporting acts for the Latin American leg include Beck, who will join U2 across all six announced dates. Ticket sales are structured with an early subscriber pre-sale starting in mid-October, followed by general sales for São Paulo and Buenos Aires shortly thereafter, and Mexico City tickets becoming available the following day.

While the current schedule focuses on Latin America, fans can anticipate further announcements regarding U2’s 2027 tour dates across the UK, Europe, and North America in the near future. This comprehensive global tour aligns with the band’s milestone anniversary and their first major album release in nearly a decade.

Details surrounding the negotiations and the ultimate decision to exclude Chile remain limited. However, the absence of Santiago represents a significant shift for U2’s touring strategy in Latin America, breaking a pattern that has spanned more than two decades. Observers will be watching closely to see if this signals changes in regional concert logistics or broader shifts in the band’s international touring priorities.