FOREIGNER in Sofia

FOREIGNER celebrate their 50th anniversary on stage!

 

The legendary band's farewell tour is coming to Sofia

 

On June 30, 2026, Sofia will become the arena for a historic musical event – ​​the legendary band FOREIGNER will celebrate its 50th anniversary at Arena 8888.

 

This anniversary tour carries a special weight – it may turn out to be the last in their glorious history. But this band, having gone through storms, painful losses and battles with fate, continues to perform in front of packed arenas all over the world and sing anthems that we know by heart.

 

The rock that survived despite everything

 

FOREIGNER are literally a school of resilience and strength of character. Over the years, they said goodbye to original bassist Ed Gagliardi (2014) and co-founder and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald (2022). Mick Jones – the driving force and visionary behind the band – continues to battle Parkinson’s disease and has not performed since 2023, but he remains its unwavering spiritual leader. He continues to drive everything around the band and even writes new songs in the studio with singer Maldonado.

 

The human stories are no less dramatic: Lou Gram, the legendary original vocalist, endured a difficult battle with a brain tumor that left its mark on his voice and strength. And yet he continued to occasionally take to the stage. In December 2025, FOREIGNER will do a special American mini-tour with Gram as a guest, where he will sing side by side with new frontman Luis Carlos Maldonado – a moment that will bring together the past and future of a living legend.

 

After 18 years with Kelly Hansen, who announced his retirement this year, the younger (and, by the way, awesome!) singer Maldonado has officially taken over the vocals. A full member of the band since 2021, he is now the natural link between the classic sound and the new energy.

 

The Mick Jones Rule

 

The founder of FOREIGNER has always followed one rule – there is only room for top musicians in the band. Therefore, it is no coincidence that bassist Jeff Pilson comes from the cult Dokken, and the rest – Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar) and Chris Fraser (drums) – are among the highest-class musicians on the rock scene today.

 

Music that never gets old

 

FOREIGNER are not just a retro memory. Their anthems – from Cold As Ice and Hot Blooded to the eternal prayer I Want To Know What Love Is – still sound non-stop on the radio, in films, commercials and series, and continue to gather new fans. Today, the band has sold over 80 million albums, 1 billion (!) streams for just one hit, and tens of millions of listeners around the world every week. Probably each of us, at a different time in our lives, has had (and still has) an emotional memory directly related to a Foreigner song – be it a wild party, an unforgettable romantic experience, or a personal victory.

 

Therefore, on June 30, 2026, Sofia will witness a unique celebration for the senses and emotions – an evening in which past and future, tears and smiles, love and euphoria will intertwine. This is not just a concert. This is the last march of the rock titans.

 

FOREIGNER – 10 facts that make the legend immortal

 

Induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2024).

 

80+ million albums sold worldwide.

 

9 hits in the Top 10 – more than Journey and Aerosmith; 16 songs in the Top 30.

 

‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ – 1 billion streams on Spotify (more than The Who, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan).

 

Album “4” holds Atlantic Records’ record for longest time at #1 on Billboard.

 

“Waiting For A Girl Like You” – record 14 weeks on Billboard’s Top Chart.

 

20+ million weekly radio listeners (Classic Rock Radio).

 

Songs in hit movies and TV shows – Stranger Things, The Eternals, Happy Gilmore 2.

 

“Jukebox Hero – The Musical” (2019, Toronto) – stage musical based on their hits.

 

The Symphony Project (2018) – 12 weeks at #1 on Billboard Classical; concerts at Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.

 

If this is truly their last tour – be there to hear the legends say goodbye!

 

FOREIGNER's concert in Sofia is not just an event - it is the culmination of half a century of rock history. We invite all media representatives to adequately cover this significant and emotional moment, which will bring together fans from all over Bulgaria and the region.

 

Tickets for the FOREIGNER concert on June 30, 2026 at Arena 8888 go on sale on Friday (05.09.2026) at 12:00 and can be purchased on the Bilet.bg networks, as well as online at https://sme.bilet.bg/

 

* Children under 10 years of age enter without a ticket, but cannot use a separate seat