There are artists who release music, and then there are artists who build worlds. Eric Church has always fallen into the latter category, and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of his most decisive years yet.

Fresh off a GRAMMY nomination for Evangeline vs. The Machine, Church opened the year back on stage in Washington, D.C., restarting leg two of the Free the Machine Tour with an intimate underplay at The Anthem. It was a reminder of what sets him apart. Not just the stamina. Not just the catalog. But the way his shows feel lived in rather than performed. You are not watching a set list. You are stepping into a moment.

The Free the Machine Tour returns after a standout 2025 run. It reinforced Church’s reputation as one of the most compelling live performers in country music. The 2026 dates stretch across the U.S. and Canada, including a Toronto stop at Scotiabank Arena on February 12. With rotating special guests like Ella Langley, 49 Winchester, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Ashley McBryde, each night carries its own energy, but the throughline is consistent. These shows are built for connection, not shortcuts.

2026 Free the Machine Tour Remaining Markets, Venues and Special Guests:
Jan. 23  ||  Washington, D.C.  ||  The Anthem  ||  Caylee Hammack
Feb. 5  ||  Omaha, Neb.  ||  CHI Health Center  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 6  ||  Sioux Falls, S.D.  ||  Denny Sanford PREMIER Center  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 7  ||  St. Paul, Minn.  ||  Grand Casino Arena  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 12  ||  Toronto, Ont.  ||  Scotiabank Arena  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 13  ||  Buffalo, N.Y.  ||  KeyBank Center  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 14  ||  Albany, N.Y.  ||  MVP Arena  ||  Ella Langley
Feb. 19  ||  North Little Rock, Ark.  ||  Simmons Bank Arena  ||  49 Winchester
Feb. 20  ||  Kansas City, Mo.  ||  T-Mobile Center  ||  49 Winchester
Feb. 21  ||  St. Louis, Mo.  ||  Enterprise Center  ||  49 Winchester
Feb. 26  ||  Tulsa, Okla.  ||  BOK Center  ||  Stephen Wilson Jr.
Feb. 27  ||  Fort Worth, Texas  ||  Dickies Arena  ||  Stephen Wilson Jr.
Feb. 28  ||  Austin, Texas  ||  Moody Center  ||  Stephen Wilson Jr.
Mar. 5  ||  Knoxville, Tenn.  ||  Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center  ||  49 Winchester
Mar. 6  ||  Greensboro, N.C.  ||  First Horizon Coliseum  ||  49 Winchester
Mar. 7  ||  North Charleston, S.C.  ||  North Charleston Coliseum  ||  49 Winchester
Mar. 19  ||  Birmingham, Ala.  ||  Legacy Arena at the BJCC  ||  49 Winchester
Mar. 20  ||  Atlanta, Ga.  ||  State Farm Arena  ||  49 Winchester
Mar. 27  ||  Hollywood, Fla.  ||  Hard Rock Live  ||  Kashus Culpepper
Apr. 3  ||  Greenville, S.C.  ||  Bon Secours Wellness Arena  ||  Ashley McBryde
Apr. 4  ||  Charlotte, N.C.  ||  Spectrum Center  ||  Ashley McBryde
Apr. 10  ||  Jacksonville, Fla.  ||  VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena  ||  Ashley McBryde
Apr. 11  ||  Tampa, Fla.  ||  Benchmark International Arena  ||  Ashley McBryde

That same philosophy carries into Church’s next move. On February 11 and 14, Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive arrives as an IMAX exclusive theatrical release. The film was filmed across two nights at The Pinnacle in Nashville. It showcases Church performing his GRAMMY nominated album in its entirety. He then moves into select career-defining songs. Church was backed by a six-piece band, horns, and strings. An eight-piece choir and longtime collaborator Joanna Cotten joined him as well. The performance was designed to be felt as much as heard. IMAX simply gives it the scale it deserves.

Today also marks the release of “Give Me Back My Hometown (Live At The Pinnacle, Nashville, TN / May 24, 2025).” It’s a preview of the full 19 track live album arriving February 13. The forthcoming Evangeline vs. The Machine Comes Alive album is not a greatest hits package. It is a document of a specific season. Familiar songs take on new weight. Newer material finds deeper footing. It sounds like an artist fully in command of his voice and his vision.

What stands out most is the momentum. A live tour back on the road. A theatrical IMAX release. A live album that captures the scope of it all. This is not a slow roll into a new year. It is a statement.

Eric Church has never played it safe, and 2026 is already proving that he has no intention of starting now.

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