The Rats in a Cage Tour
The Smashing Pumpkins

About The Smashing Pumpkins and The Rats In A Cage Tour

The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the defining alternative rock bands of the 1990s and one of the most enduring acts in modern rock. Formed in Chicago in 1988 by Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar, primary songwriter) and James Iha (guitar), with D'arcy Wretzky on bass and Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, the band built a distinctive wall-of-guitar sound that pulled equally from heavy metal, dream pop, shoegaze, and electronic textures. Their 1991 debut Gish, followed by the 1993 breakthrough Siamese Dream, established them as one of the most ambitious acts in alternative rock.

The 1995 release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was the band's commercial and creative peak. The 28-track double album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, sold more than ten million copies in the United States alone (earning a rare diamond certification from the RIAA), and produced five Top 40 singles including Tonight, Tonight, 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, and Thirty-Three. The album earned seven Grammy nominations and is widely considered one of the most ambitious and successful rock concept albums of the decade. The Rats In A Cage Tour celebrates the album's 30th anniversary with a full-album performance every night.

The current lineup features founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin, with Kiki Wong on guitar -- the breakthrough Las Vegas-born musician who joined the band in 2024 after Jeff Schroeder's departure. The band has continued to release new music at a steady clip, including the ambitious 33-song rock opera trilogy Atum (released across 2022-2023) and earlier 2010s and 2020s albums including Oceania, Monuments to an Elegy, and Cyr.

The 2026 tour kicks off September 30 at Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. The 27-date North American run is structured around two distinct sets per night: a full performance of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in its album order, followed by a career-spanning second set pulling from Gish, Siamese Dream, Adore, Machina, Oceania, Atum, and beyond. Industry outlets including Pollstar and Consequence have flagged the run as one of the most-anticipated arena tours of fall 2026.

The arena lineup is stacked. East Coast stops include TD Garden in Boston, CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Midwest leg covers the Kohl Center in Madison, Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, and a hometown United Center show in Chicago on October 14. The Southern run includes Spectrum Center in Charlotte, VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and The Truth in Nashville.

The Western leg sweeps Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Moody Center in Austin, Ball Arena in Denver, Delta Center in Salt Lake City, MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Moda Center in Portland, Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, SAP Center in San Jose, Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, and a wrap-up at the iconic Kia Forum in Inglewood on November 12. Pre-tour festival dates at Hutchinson Field in Chicago's Grant Park (July 30) round out the broader 2026 schedule.

What makes The Smashing Pumpkins live in 2026 special is the way the band has continued to evolve while leaning into the catalog that built them. Billy Corgan's songwriting remains as ambitious as ever -- the Atum rock opera is one of the most expansive projects in modern rock -- but the band has also embraced the nostalgia-driven moments that fans have been waiting for. A full-album Mellon Collie performance every night gives long-time fans the chance to hear deep cuts like Cupid de Locke, Galapogos, In the Arms of Sleep, and Take Me Down live in album sequence for the first time in decades.

How to Buy Rats In A Cage Tour Tickets

Where can I buy Smashing Pumpkins 2026 tour tickets?

Tickets are available through venue box offices and authorized primary sellers like Ticketmaster, AXS, and Live Nation, as well as the band's official tour page. Verified resale tickets for sold-out and high-demand dates are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a 100 percent buyer guarantee on every order.

When does The Rats In A Cage Tour start?

The Rats In A Cage Tour kicks off September 30, 2026 at Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. The 27-date run continues through arenas across the Eastern Seaboard, Midwest, South, and West Coast, wrapping November 12 at The Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. A pre-tour festival date at Hutchinson Field in Chicago is set for July 30. Check the listings above for available dates.

What is the format of each show?

Each Rats In A Cage Tour show features two distinct sets. The first is a full-album performance of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in album sequence, all 28 tracks. The second is a career-spanning set drawing from Gish, Siamese Dream, Adore, Machina, Oceania, the Atum rock opera trilogy, and the band's broader catalog. Plan for a full 3-hour-plus evening with two sets and a brief intermission.

What cities are on the 2026 tour?

The tour visits Columbus, Boston, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Madison, Saint Paul, Chicago, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Tampa, Indianapolis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Austin, Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, San Jose, Phoenix, and Inglewood (Los Angeles). Browse the listings above for the full schedule and current ticket availability.

Are resale tickets from BigStub legitimate?

Yes. BigStub has been a trusted secondary ticket marketplace for more than 20 years and holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the resale industry. Every order is backed by a 100 percent buyer guarantee that protects against fraudulent or undelivered tickets, and there are no hidden service fees added at checkout. If a show is canceled and not rescheduled, customers receive a full refund through the BigStub guarantee program.

What if I can no longer attend?

If your plans change after purchasing tickets through BigStub, you can list them for resale through the BigStub seller marketplace. Customer service can walk you through the process, and the resale fee structure is clearly listed on the site. Refunds for personal scheduling changes are not available, so list early if you need to recoup the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are The Smashing Pumpkins touring in 2026?

Yes. The Smashing Pumpkins are on The Rats In A Cage Tour, a 27-date North American arena run kicking off September 30, 2026 in Columbus and wrapping November 12 at The Kia Forum in Inglewood. The tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness with a full-album performance every night, plus a career-spanning second set. Check the listings above for available shows.

What is The Rats In A Cage Tour?

The Rats In A Cage Tour is The Smashing Pumpkins' fall 2026 North American arena tour. The name comes from the iconic Bullet With Butterfly Wings lyric. Every night features two sets: a full performance of the 1995 diamond-certified album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, followed by a career-spanning set pulling from nearly four decades of Pumpkins material.

Why play Mellon Collie in full?

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. The 1995 double album is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and successful concept albums in alternative rock history, earning a rare diamond RIAA certification and producing five Top 40 singles. The full-album performance gives fans the chance to hear deep cuts like Cupid de Locke, Galapogos, and In the Arms of Sleep live in album sequence.

Who is in The Smashing Pumpkins now?

The current lineup features founding members Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar), James Iha (guitar), and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums), plus Kiki Wong on guitar. Kiki Wong joined the band in 2024 after Jeff Schroeder departed, and the four-piece configuration has been touring extensively since.

What songs will The Smashing Pumpkins play?

The first set is a full performance of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness -- all 28 tracks including Tonight Tonight, 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Thirty-Three, Muzzle, Cupid de Locke, and the title track. The second set draws from Gish, Siamese Dream, Adore, Machina, Oceania, the Atum rock opera trilogy, and the band's broader catalog.

How long is a Smashing Pumpkins concert?

The two-set format makes for an extended evening. Plan for roughly three to three and a half hours including a brief intermission between the Mellon Collie set and the career-spanning second set. Including any opening act, doors-to-encore can run close to four hours.

Who is opening for The Smashing Pumpkins?

Supporting acts have not been universally announced for every date. Some shows feature regional or rotating opening acts. Check individual show pages for the most current opener information.

How much do Smashing Pumpkins tickets cost?

Prices vary by venue, seat location, and demand. Upper bowl seats trend toward more accessible price points, while floor seats and lower bowl tickets tend higher. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

Where can I stream Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness?

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is available on all major streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, plus on vinyl, CD, and an expanded box set edition through Virgin Records. The 30th anniversary edition includes additional outtakes and demos.

Can I get a refund if a show is canceled?

Yes. BigStub's 100 percent buyer guarantee covers refunds for shows that are canceled and not rescheduled. If a show is postponed to a new date, your tickets typically remain valid for the rescheduled performance. Contact BigStub customer service for help with any specific situation.

What is the Atum trilogy?

Atum is a 33-song rock opera released by The Smashing Pumpkins across three acts in 2022 and 2023. It is conceived as a sequel to the band's earlier concept albums Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Machina/The Machines of God. Tracks from Atum frequently appear in the career-spanning second set of the Rats In A Cage Tour.

Are kids allowed at Smashing Pumpkins concerts?

Yes, most arena dates are all-ages. The shows include some intense moments and pyro, but the production is appropriate for older kids and teens. Children typically need their own ticket above age 2 or 3 depending on venue policy. Check the specific venue's policy before purchasing tickets for very young children.

Who is Kiki Wong?

Kiki Wong is the Las Vegas-born guitarist who joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2024 after Jeff Schroeder departed. She first gained recognition through her work with the band Nova Twins and her extensive social media presence before joining the Pumpkins as the band's new guitarist for touring and recording.

Will there be merchandise at the shows?

Yes. The Smashing Pumpkins' touring merch includes tour-specific t-shirts, vinyl, posters, and accessories, plus 30th anniversary Mellon Collie reissue items. Major arena dates typically include venue-specific or city-specific designs. Merch tends to move quickly -- arriving early to the venue is recommended.

How early should I arrive at the venue?

Doors typically open about ninety minutes before showtime. Plan to arrive at least an hour before the opener for security, parking or transit, and finding your seat. The two-set format and intermission mean the show itself runs long, so settling in early helps the night flow.