Mötley Crüe’s upcoming 2026 tour is already shaping up to be a major event, and according to bassist Nikki Sixx, the band has seriously explored turning it into something even bigger by bringing familiar names back into the fold.
Speaking recently about the planning behind the tour, Sixx revealed that Mötley Crüe held conversations with several bands about the possibility of reuniting specifically to support them on the road. While he stopped short of naming the acts involved, the implication was clear: these weren’t casual discussions, but genuine talks with groups whose return would have added significant weight and nostalgia to the lineup.
“There’s a few bands that we talked to about getting back together to support us,” Sixx explained. “It wasn’t just one conversation. There were real discussions.”
Ultimately, those reunions didn’t materialize — at least not for this tour. According to Sixx, the reasons varied from band to band, ranging from logistical complications to personal and creative realities that come with trying to revive projects long thought finished. Rather than force anything that didn’t feel right, Mötley Crüe chose to move forward with a lineup that made sense on its own terms.
Sixx emphasized that the band’s priority for 2026 is delivering a high-energy, full-throttle Mötley Crüe show, not relying solely on nostalgia or surprise reunions to carry the experience. “We’re focused on what we do best,” he said, stressing that the tour is designed to celebrate the band’s legacy while still feeling alive and dangerous.
The comments come as Mötley Crüe continues redefining what “retirement” means in modern rock. Despite previously announcing the end of large-scale touring, the band has remained active with residencies, special appearances, and now a full 2026 tour that suggests their story is far from over.
While fans may wonder which bands were approached — and whether those reunions could still happen in the future — Sixx left the door slightly open. Timing, he implied, is everything in rock and roll.
For now, the message is clear: Mötley Crüe is charging ahead, reunions or not, and the 2026 tour is being built as a statement that the band remains firmly in control of its own legacy.
