Megadeth are bowing out on their own terms, and Dave Mustaine says the farewell trek will spotlight the band as it exists today-no reunion guests, no nostalgia rotation.
> At a Glance
> – Megadeth’s farewell tour runs Feb. 15 – Sept. 2026
> – No former members will appear; current four-piece only
> – Self-titled last album drops Jan. 23, 2026
> – Why it matters: Fans get one pure, final snapshot of the 2026-era lineup before the thrash pioneers retire
The group will promote their upcoming self-titled record, released Jan. 23, with a world tour that starts Feb. 15 and wraps in September. Mustaine told Guitar World the shows will stay laser-focused on the present lineup.
Why No Reunion Guests?
Mustaine already tested the reunion waters when guitarist Marty Friedman joined for a 2023 surprise. With more than a dozen ex-members since 1983, he feels another retro parade would hijack the moment.
> “That would be a huge undertaking,” he said. “I’d rather keep doing what we’re doing and let the fans [experience] Megadeth music and be happy about it. It’s not ‘puppet show Megadeth.'”
On SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation last month he doubled down:
> “I just can’t-because, first off, it would be unfair to the other band members if I didn’t play with them as well.”
Timeline of the Farewell Run
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Final album release | Jan. 23, 2026 |
| Tour kickoff | Feb. 15, 2026 |
| Last scheduled show | September 2026 |
| Retirement announced | Aug. 2025 |
Mustaine framed the decision as controlling his own exit, writing last August:
> “Most [artists] don’t get to go out on their own terms on top, and that’s where I’m at in my life right now.”
Key Takeaways
- Only James LoMenzo, Dick Verbeuren and Teemu Mäntysaari will join Mustaine onstage
- The 2023 Friedman cameo satisfied Mustaine’s reunion urge
- Megadeth’s touring career ends in September after nine months on the road
- Mustaine says their thrash revolution “changed the world” and the farewell honors that legacy
