George Strait Announces One-Night-Only Death Valley Concert With Cody Johnson
The upcoming event will make a full-circle moment for the country music icon.
George Strait, Cody Johnson; Photos Provided
George Strait is set to return to Clemson, South Carolina’s Memorial Stadium (known as “Death Valley”) for a special, one-night-only event on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
This special in-the-round concert will feature the King of Country Music alongside country superstar and fellow Texas native Cody Johnson and special guest Wyatt Flores.
It’s a historic occasion, marking the first concert at Memorial Stadium since 1999 when George Strait last took the stage there.
“Going back to Death Valley for the first time in more than 25 years feels pretty special. Can’t wait to see you, Clemson,” Strait shared in a statement.
Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night filled with timeless hits and new favorites, performed center stage in the round.
Strait teased the announcement on social media earlier this week when he shared a “2026 announcement” by sharing a tour poster from the George Strait Country Music Festival, which included Strait alongside now-superstars Tim McGraw, The Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Jo Dee Messina, and more.
Later, “Death Valley” shared a teaser, leading fans to believe a concert announcement was on the horizon.
Adding fuel to the fire, Strait and Johnson shared photos on Thursday of Clemson jerseys with their last names on them, essentially confirming the news without actually saying it.
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com.
In 2024, George Strait performed only a select few stadium shows, including a record-breaking concert at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. That event, George Strait: The King at Kyle Field, drew an astonishing 110,905 fans, making it one of the largest single-ticketed concerts in U.S. history.
Following that historic night, Strait limited his 2025 appearances to just five major shows, performing in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Foxborough, and Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium.
In addition to his upcoming performance at Clemson, Strait’s legendary career continues to be honored. This December, he’ll be celebrated at the 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors for his lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. Early next year, he will also be inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his lasting influence as both a performer and songwriter whose music has shaped generations of country artists and fans alike.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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