CHICAGO, IL — The “24K Magic” is returning to the Windy City, and this time, it’s bigger than ever. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, Grammy-winning superstar Bruno Mars sent shockwaves through social media by announcing his first global headlining stadium tour in nearly a decade: “The Romantic Tour.”
Chicago fans can mark their calendars for Saturday, May 16, 2026, when Mars will take over the iconic Soldier Field for a night of high-energy pop, soul, and funk.
The Tour Details: A Global Event
“The Romantic Tour” serves as the grand celebration for Mars’ highly anticipated fourth solo studio album, The Romantic, scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. This marks his first full solo project since 2016’s 24K Magic, following his record-breaking collaborative run with Anderson .Paak as Silk Sonic.
The tour kicks off on April 10 in Las Vegas and will span nearly 40 shows across North America, Europe, and the U.K. Joining Mars for the entire trek is his Silk Sonic partner Anderson .Paak, performing under his vinyl-spinning alter ego DJ Pee .Wee. Supporting acts for select dates include rising stars Leon Thomas, RAYE, and Victoria Monét.
How to Get Tickets
Given that Mars’ announcement garnered over 1.6 million likes in just four hours—catching the eye of local legends like Lou Malnati’s, who jokingly offered to trade pizza for tickets—demand is expected to be unprecedented.
- Presale Registration: Fans must sign up at BrunoMars.com by Monday, January 12 at 10:00 AM PT to gain access to the Artist Presale.
- Artist Presale: Begins Wednesday, January 14 at 12:00 PM CST.
- General Onsale: Remaining tickets will go live on Thursday, January 15 at 12:00 PM CST.
Navigating 2026: Concert Costs and Tax Relief
While a night at Soldier Field is a dream for many, the cost of premium stadium tickets can be a hurdle. Interestingly, the start of the 2026 tax season may provide some unexpected financial padding for concert-goers.
The IRS has officially set January 26, 2026, as the opening day for tax filing. This year, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) changes are in full effect, offering several new ways for taxpayers to keep more of their money.
New 2026 Tax Brackets & IRS Updates
The IRS has confirmed that individual tax rates are now permanent. Knowing your bracket can help you plan your “Romantic Tour” budget:
| Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married (Joint) |
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,401 – $50,400 | $24,801 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,401 – $105,700 | $100,801 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,701 – $201,775 | $211,401 – $403,550 |
Potential Refunds for 2026
Thanks to the OBBBA, several new deductions may result in a larger IRS refund this spring:
- No Tax on Tips: If you work in the service industry (like at Soldier Field!), the first $25,000 of your tips is now deductible.
- Senior Citizen Bonus: Taxpayers 65+ receive a new $6,000 bonus deduction.
- Overtime Pay Relief: Workers can deduct up to $12,500 of their qualified overtime pay.