After three decades away from the touring circuit, the legendary Canadian rock trio Triumph is preparing to hit the road again in 2026 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. While the current itinerary includes 24 dates across North America, guitarist and vocalist Rik Emmett has suggested that the reunion could expand if the demand is there.
In a comprehensive new interview with Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station, the band members—Emmett, drummer Gil Moore, and bassist Mike Levine—discussed the mechanics of the reunion and what fans can expect. Emmett was candid about the future of the trek, noting that the initial commercial response will dictate their next moves.
“Here’s what’s gonna happen. If the tickets go on sale and it’s kind of stiffin’, then we may not even make it up for these shows,” Emmett admitted frankly. “If they go on sale and it does pretty good, obviously there’s gonna be people like Live Nation and folks that’ll be going, ‘Hey, you wanna do some more?’ At which point there will be discussions between the three of us as to how long this might infringe upon my desire to wanna be going on holidays.”
However, Emmett seems optimistic. He shared a personal anecdote about finding himself playing guitar late into the night recently, something he hasn’t done in years.
“I looked at my watch and it was 12:30 at night. I usually go to bed by, like, 10:30, at that time. So I thought, ‘Well, this is not so bad, really, is it?’… So, I think that is a harbinger of that there might be a future here. I don’t know how it’ll compartmentalize and work out, but, yeah, I think it could extend. It seems like it’s fun so far.”
For this historic run, the classic trio will not be alone. They have recruited a powerhouse team of backing musicians to ensure the performances are top-tier. Joining them will be Bon Jovi guitarist (and former Triumph member) Phil X, along with the rhythm section of Brent Fitz (drums/keys) and Todd Kerns (bass), both known for their work with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators.
Emmett believes this infusion of talent is crucial for the tour’s success.
“We’re not just going do this on our own, first of all. We’re gonna have three other musicians join us,” Emmett explained. “And I think that that’s gonna make it so that it’s not just the good old Triumph that’s trying to see if they can survive this thing. It’s gonna be a new thing, and there’s an energy to that that excites me and makes me wanna be involved and make it happen.”
He acknowledged the reality of their age—now in their seventh and eighth decades—and the curiosity fans might have regarding their physical stamina.
“I think there’s going to be a level of curiosity. ‘Are they gonna drop dead when they’re trying to actually make this happen? Will the flash pots go off and scare them that they’re just gonna keel over?’ But I feel safe.”
When asked why the band chose this specific moment to reunite, Emmett pointed to the persistence of drummer Gil Moore, who manages the band’s business affairs and has historically driven their legendary stage production.
“I think we all had to sort of bow to the ambition and desire of Gil Moore, who wanted to get the rock and roll machine back up on the road so that he could mount some sort of show thing that only he can imagine. And that Mike and I just go, ‘Oh, God, what are we getting ourselves into?'”
Moore accepted the title of “mastermind” behind the band’s spectacle, revealing that he has been developing the new show’s concept for six years alongside lighting director Paul Dexter. He emphasized that the production will focus on narrative rather than empty special effects.
“I think we tried to use the stage in a way that we really enhanced the music. And what I see now in a lot of tours, I’m seeing a lot of flashing, kind of gratuitous flotsam and jetsam of effects and stuff. And that’s not the intent here,” Moore said. “What we’re really trying to do is tell the story of Triumph from the early days to the present… It’s gonna be something that’s very, very well crafted… We’re gonna try to bring that to the stage and really have a show that people will never forget.”
While the band’s recent documentary and tribute album helped pave the way, bassist Mike Levine revealed a surprising catalyst for the tour: the Stanley Cup playoffs. A major Canadian TV commercial campaign used their hit “Lay It On The Line,” reintroducing the band to the public consciousness.
“It was like a hit record, and people discover were rediscovering Triumph, including brand new fans. And you couldn’t go anywhere without somebody singing the song behind you,” Levine said. “And so that kind of had some influence. And Live Nation started to talk to us about maybe doing something.”
Ultimately, Emmett stressed that the reunion has to be enjoyable for it to be worth the effort.
“Really the bottom line has to be, well, yeah, but is it gonna be fun? And I think that’s something that translates to the audience. I think they get a sense of, ‘Look at these guys. They’re just having the time of their lives.'”
Triumph “50th Anniversary” 2026 Tour Dates:
Canada
- April 22 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – GFL Memorial Gardens
- April 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- April 25 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
- April 28 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
- April 29 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre
- May 1 – Laval, QC – Place Bell (Montreal)
- May 2 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
- May 5 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre
- May 7 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
- May 8 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
United States
- May 13 – Rosemont, IL – Rosemont Theatre (Chicago)
- May 14 – Milwaukee, WI – Miller High Life Theatre
- May 16 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
- May 17 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
- May 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas)
- May 21 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
- May 22 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land
- May 24 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
- May 26 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
- May 28 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Philadelphia)
- May 30 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (Detroit)
- June 3 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater
- June 5 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater (New York)
- June 6 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
