Rod Stewart Faces Fan Backlash After Canceling Show, Then Flying to World Cup

Stewart cited an acute upper respiratory infection for the last-minute Chula Vista cancellation, then appeared in the stands cheering Scotland's victory.

Rod Stewart drew sharp criticism from fans after cancelling a California concert less than an hour before showtime on Friday, citing laryngitis on doctor's orders, then sharing a video of himself boarding a private jet to Boston the following day to watch Scotland face Haiti at the World Cup. The 81-year-old appeared in the stands celebrating Scotland's victory on Saturday, June 13, with the juxtaposition drawing pointed comments on social media.

The Cancellation and the Statement

Stewart's team posted a statement to his Instagram Stories the day before the World Cup match, explaining that ‘on the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take the stage this evening.' Stewart then followed up with his own message less than an hour before the Chula Vista show was scheduled to begin.

In that personal statement, Stewart wrote: ‘Following treatment, I'm feeling much better, but my voice is not. I'm very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans.' The apology did little to soften the reaction once fans saw what came next.

The Boston Trip and Fan Reaction

Over the weekend, Stewart posted a video to Instagram showing himself on a private jet headed to Boston with his sons. ‘Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup,' he said in the clip. ‘It's been 28 years, so these kids, I've told them about it, but they've never been. I've been to seven World Cups.'

The video ended with a high-energy chant of ‘No Scotland, no party,' which landed poorly in the comment section given the timing of the cancellation. Later that day, Stewart was photographed throwing his arms in the air in the stands as Scotland secured a victory.

The optics were difficult to defend. A last-minute cancellation citing a voice-affecting illness, followed within hours by a transatlantic flight and an enthusiastic stadium appearance, gave frustrated ticketholders plenty of ammunition. Laryngitis does not prevent someone from attending a sporting event, but the proximity of the two events made the sequence feel tone-deaf to many fans who had already made their way to the venue.

Where the Tour Goes From Here

Stewart's next scheduled performance is at Colorado's Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre on Monday, June 15. He has over 20 dates remaining in the US this year as part of his ‘One Last Time' farewell tour, which has been running since 2024.

In a recent interview on TalkSport, Stewart hinted at what may follow the American run. ‘Then I'm touring the UK next year, doing The O2, and that'll probably be it, I think,' he said. ‘I'll have to do something new, come on your show more often, maybe.'

In 2024, Stewart said he was done with ‘large-scale world tours,' describing his 2025 arena run as his last, while also stating he had ‘no desire to retire.' He also appeared at Glastonbury 2025, taking the legends' slot on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday afternoon, where he was joined by Ronnie Wood, Mick Hucknall, and Lulu.

Stewart on Aging and the Road

Stewart, who turned 81 earlier this year, has been touring for over 60 years, including his years with the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. He has spoken candidly about mortality in recent interviews, saying: ‘I'm aware my days are numbered but I've got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few, probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.'

At 79, he also offered a characteristically self-assured health update: ‘I love what I do, and I do what I love. I'm fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 meters in 18 seconds at the jolly old age of 79.'

What we know

• Stewart's team announced the Chula Vista cancellation citing an acute upper respiratory infection resulting in laryngitis, on doctor's advice.
• Stewart posted his own statement less than an hour before the California show was scheduled to start, saying his voice was not recovered.
• The following day, Stewart shared a video of himself flying to Boston on a private jet with his sons to attend the Scotland vs. Haiti World Cup match on June 13.
• Stewart was seen celebrating in the stands as Scotland won their match.
• His next scheduled show is at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado on June 15.
• Stewart has over 20 US dates remaining in 2025 on his ‘One Last Time' farewell tour.
• Stewart told TalkSport he plans to tour the UK next year, including a date at The O2, which he suggested would likely be his final run.

The take

Last-minute concert cancellations for health reasons are a routine part of touring at any age, and at 81, Stewart is operating well past the point where most legacy rock acts have stepped back from arena touring entirely. The problem here is sequencing. Cancelling a show for laryngitis is entirely defensible; laryngitis is a genuine, voice-specific condition that has nothing to do with a person's ability to sit in a stadium. But the optics of a private jet video posted to Instagram within hours of that cancellation, complete with a chant and visible elation, made it nearly impossible for fans to extend the benefit of the doubt. Social media has fundamentally changed the calculus for artists in these situations. What once might have been a quiet personal trip is now a public broadcast, and the comment section becomes a referendum on sincerity. Stewart has been remarkably candid about wanting to enjoy whatever time he has left, and his World Cup devotion is well documented across seven tournaments. But the timing here handed critics an easy narrative, and the ‘One Last Time' framing of the tour means every cancellation carries extra weight for fans who may not get another chance to see him.

Why it matters

For fans on a farewell tour, a last-minute cancellation carries a different emotional weight than it would mid-career. Stewart has framed this run explicitly as a goodbye, which raises the stakes for every missed show. The incident also illustrates a broader tension for legacy artists who remain active well into their eighties: the line between a health-related cancellation and a scheduling judgment call can look very different depending on what appears on social media in the hours that follow.

What's next

Stewart is scheduled to perform at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado on June 15, his first show since the cancelled Chula Vista date. He has more than 20 US dates remaining on the ‘One Last Time' tour in 2025. He has also indicated plans to tour the UK in 2026, including a show at The O2 in London, which he has suggested could mark the end of his touring career.

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