Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar officially commenced his summer 2026 touring campaign on Saturday night, June 13, delivering an explosive, hit-heavy 19-song performance at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, Missouri. Complete setlist details and fan-filmed video highlights from the opening night showcase a band eager to explore new sonic corners.
The summer trek marks the third consecutive year of Hagar’s widely acclaimed “Best of All Worlds” tour framework, a project designed to celebrate his multi-platinum, decade-long legacy as the frontman of Van Halen.
A Powerhouse Lineup and a Brand New Addition
Hagar’s live touring vehicle remains one of the most musically formidable lineups in rock history, anchored by his long-term creative brother and fellow Van Halen alumnus Michael Anthony on bass and backing vocals, alongside guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and elite timekeeper Kenny Aronoff on drums.
For the 2026 run, the core group welcomed a fresh face into the fold: newly recruited keyboardist Nathan Mercado, who helped flesh out the massive, synth-driven textures central to the definitive “Van Hagar” era sound.
Shaking Up the Setlist Matrix
The group subverted standard tour expectations by completely restructuring the flow of the concert. Rather than building slowly, the band opened the floodgates immediately with the 5150 synth-rock anthem “Why Can’t This Be Love,” seamlessly transitioning into a heavy back-to-back pairing from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge: “Top of the World” and “Runaround.”
Compared to previous iterations of the tour, the 2026 setlist elected to trade out certain staples to allow Hagar’s extensive non-Van Halen catalog to breathe. Setlist staples such as “Poundcake” and the David Lee Roth-era iconic smash “Panama” were omitted from the show. In their place, the band dusted off “Bad Motor Scooter,” the roaring 1973 classic from Hagar’s foundational pre-solo career with hard rock pioneers Montrose.
Naturally, the Red Rocker’s definitive solo anthems were well-represented, with high-octane deliveries of “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” “Heavy Metal,” “Mas Tequila,” and the timeless “I Can’t Drive 55.”
The night also provided moments for his bandmates to shine in the spotlight. Michael Anthony stepped up to the front-and-center microphone to deliver raw, driving lead vocals on Van Halen’s 1978 debut classic “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love.” Meanwhile, Satriani grabbed the audience’s full attention with a blinding rendition of his hallmark instrumental solo piece, “Satch Boogie.”
A Special Love Letter to St. Louis
Launching the tour in St. Louis carried immense emotional weight for Hagar, who has long treated the Missouri gateway city as a spiritual hometown due to their early adoption of his music. Reflecting on that unique bond in a past interview with the Post-Dispatch, Hagar summarized his profound dedication to the local crowd:
“In my career, St. Louis is the most loyal city in the world,” Hagar stated. “When it comes to St. Louis, I care more [for it] than any other place in America. I’ll always care wherever I go, but I’m always concerned that I do something great for the fans in St. Louis.”
Road Ahead: Domestic and Global 2026 Tour Itinerary
The St. Louis spectacle marked the first station of a packed two-week domestic sprint across the United States. Following a Sunday night performance in Noblesville, Indiana, the brief American leg of the tour is scheduled to wrap up on June 27 in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
From there, the Best of All Worlds band will take their celebration overseas, locking in five high-profile dates across England this coming July. Following their European stay, the group will return stateside for a highly anticipated August appearance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, before rounding out their summer with a five-night residency engagement in Las Vegas, Nevada this September.
Sammy Hagar Tour Opener Setlist — June 13, 2026
Location: Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (St. Louis, MO)
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Why Can’t This Be Love (Van Halen song)
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Top of the World (Van Halen song)
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Runaround (Van Halen song)
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Best of Both Worlds (Van Halen song)
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Summer Nights (Van Halen song)
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There’s Only One Way to Rock 7. 5150 (Van Halen song)
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Love Walks In (Van Halen song)
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Cabo Wabo (Van Halen song)
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Mas Tequila 11. Bad Motor Scooter (Montrose song)
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Right Now (Van Halen song)
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Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love (Van Halen song – Michael Anthony on lead vocals)
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Satch Boogie (Joe Satriani song)
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Good Enough (Van Halen song)
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Heavy Metal 17. I Can’t Drive 55 18. Eagles Fly 19. Encore Jam / Outro
July 2026 – United Kingdom Leg
The band will cross the Atlantic for five exclusive shows across England:
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July 2026: London, UK
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July 2026: Manchester, UK
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July 2026: Birmingham, UK
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July 2026: Leeds, UK
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July 2026: Glasgow/Newcastle area (Final venue confirmations can be found on Hagar’s official site)
August 2026 – US Rally Appearance
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August 2026: Sturgis, South Dakota (Special headlining performance at the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)
September 2026 – Las Vegas Residency
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September 2026: Las Vegas, Nevada (A exclusive 5-night theater residency wrap-up run)
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