Country music royalty is heading back to Death Valley. George Strait — the King of Country himself — has announced a massive in-the-round stadium concert set for May 2, 2026, marking his long-awaited return to Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium for the first time in 27 years.
The event is already being hailed as one of the biggest country music moments of 2026.
Strait will be joined by two of the genre’s fastest-rising stars: Cody Johnson, whose powerhouse vocals have made him a modern arena favorite, and breakout singer-songwriter Wyatt Flores, known for blending Americana grit with country soul.
Presented on a 360-degree circular stage designed to place fans on all sides, the show underscores Strait’s shift toward rare, high-impact stadium appearances — each one treated like an event rather than a tour stop. With only a handful of performances announced for 2026, his Clemson return instantly becomes a must-see occasion.
The last time Strait stood on that field was in 1999, a concert still spoken of fondly by longtime fans and local country radio. His return nearly three decades later is expected to draw tens of thousands, with Clemson officials preparing for one of the largest crowds in the venue’s concert history.
Tickets are expected to be in extremely high demand when they go on sale, as Strait continues to prove that his draw — and his legacy — remain unmatched in American music.
