The announcement came via social media from North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre and Live Nation San Diego shortly before 7pm despite a 7:30pm scheduled concert start, informing ticket holders that Stewart was unable to perform due to a recurrence of a sinus infection he has recently been battling.
"Following doctor's advice, Rod Stewart is regrettably unable to perform tonight due to a recurrence of the sinus infection he recently battled," the venue wrote. "If you purchased through Ticketmaster, refunds will be issued automatically."
The timing of the cancellation left many fans frustrated, with some already inside the venue and others arriving at the gates when word began to spread. A post on Reddit's r/SanDiego forum, published minutes before the announcement, described the chaotic scene.
"If anyone was going to see Rod Stewart tonight at North Coast Amphitheater in San Diego, the show has been canceled," wrote one attendee. "We arrived to the gate and they told us it was canceled 5 minutes ago. There was even people inside already waiting!"
The cancellation comes just two weeks after Stewart was forced to pull the plug on a pair of Las Vegas residency performances at Caesars Palace. Those May 29 and May 30 shows were also canceled on doctor's orders as the 81-year-old singer recovered from the same sinus infection.
At the time, Stewart issued an apology to fans.
"My apologies to my family of fans. I am on vocal rest as I recover from a sinus infection," Stewart said. "I look forward to seeing you at a future show at Caesars Palace or on tour this summer."
While Friday's cancellation undoubtedly frustrated concertgoers, it is far from the first time Stewart has been forced to postpone or cancel performances due to health issues in recent years.
In 2024, Stewart postponed multiple concerts after contracting strep throat and later COVID-19. In 2023, he canceled and rescheduled several performances due to illness. Earlier in his career, he also underwent treatment for thyroid cancer in 2000, a health battle that threatened his singing voice but ultimately did not derail his career.
Despite occasional health setbacks, Stewart has remained remarkably active on the road well into his eighth decade. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee continues to tour extensively while maintaining a Las Vegas residency and recently reaffirmed that he has no intention of retiring from performing, even as he winds down large-scale world tours.
The British singer remains one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, with a catalog spanning more than six decades and hits including "Maggie May," "Forever Young," "Young Turks," "Tonight's the Night," "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Have I Told You Lately."
Friday's North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre appearance had been promoted as part of Stewart's "One Last Time" tour and featured Richard Marx as special guest. No makeup date has been announced and it appears as if the San Diego concert is completely canceled.
Ticket holders who purchased through Ticketmaster will receive automatic refunds. Those who purchased tickets through third-party resale platforms have been instructed to contact their point of purchase directly.
The canceled performance was Stewart's only scheduled San Diego-area stop of 2026.
Originally published on June 12, 2026.
