Grammy-Winning Ghost Announces Vancouver Stop on 2026 Skeletour World Tour
The theatrical Swedish power metal band Ghost has confirmed that its highly anticipated Skeletour World Tour will include a stop in Vancouver, bringing their signature dark spectacle to Rogers Arena on February 14, 2026. This announcement comes as the band celebrates the remarkable success of their sixth studio album, which has propelled them to new commercial heights.
Chart-Topping Success with SKELETÁ Album
Ghost's latest release, SKELETÁ, has achieved what few metal albums manage in today's music landscape. The album debuted at number one on the prestigious U.S. Billboard 200 chart, marking the band's first time reaching this pinnacle position. This achievement represents a significant milestone, as it's the first metal album to claim the top spot since Tool's Fear Inoculum accomplished this feat back in 2019.
The album's success extends far beyond American borders, with SKELETÁ achieving number one debuts across multiple international markets. The theatrical crew, known for their religious-themed stage shows and distinctive black-and-white greasepaint visages, has topped charts throughout Scandinavia and Northern Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. The album has also found significant success in Australia, demonstrating Ghost's growing global appeal.
The Skeletour World Tour Details
The Skeletour represents Ghost's first headlining arena tour of North America, a significant step up in production scale and venue size for the band. The Vancouver concert at Rogers Arena promises to deliver the full Ghost experience that fans have come to expect from their theatrical performances.
Tickets for the Vancouver show are currently available through Ticketmaster, with the February 14th date expected to draw significant interest from both local fans and those traveling from across British Columbia and beyond. The tour announcement has generated considerable excitement within the metal community, particularly given the band's recent chart success and growing mainstream recognition.
Band Leader Tobias Forge Reflects on Journey
Tobias Forge, the 44-year-old founder, leader, and frontman of Ghost, describes the upcoming arena tour as a dream come true. Forge, who previously played in the popular black metal act Repugnant before forming Ghost in 2006, has watched his musical vision evolve from underground metal scenes to Grammy-winning recognition.
"In my preadolescent years, my biggest inspirations were over-the-top rock bands like Kiss and King Diamond," Forge revealed. "I always had the dream to transform into a larger-than-life rock god character. But when the black and death metal underground metal scene broke in my adolescence, my priorities shifted. Being a guitar player in a death metal band satisfied a different kind of craving for belonging in a tight-knit scene."
Forge continued, reflecting on his musical evolution: "Of course, I wanted to be in a big band in the style like Obituary or Morbid Angel, but I never forgot what a Grammy was or those bands that achieved something above the radar."
Musical Evolution and Fan Reception
Ghost's musical journey began with their hit debut Opus Eponymous in 2010, and they have steadily built their reputation through subsequent releases and increasingly elaborate live performances. The band's latest singles, including "Satanized" and "Lachryma," have been particularly well-received by fans, with their hook-laden goth riffage becoming immediate favorites.
The band's unique blend of theatrical presentation, memorable melodies, and metal sensibilities has allowed them to bridge the gap between underground metal credibility and mainstream success. Their Grammy win in 2022 for Best Metal Performance further cemented their status as one of the most significant acts in contemporary heavy music.
As Ghost prepares for their Skeletour World Tour, including the Vancouver stop at Rogers Arena, fans can anticipate a performance that combines the band's chart-topping new material with fan favorites from throughout their career. The tour represents not just another concert series, but a celebration of Ghost's remarkable journey from underground Swedish metal act to international arena headliners.
