Jon Bon Jovi is gearing up for another world tour, but not everyone’s thrilled about how it’s shaping up. The rock legend just announced Bon Jovi’s Forever Tour 2026, and while fans were ready to celebrate, the biggest headline isn’t all about the music. It’s about who’s not on stage this time.
Bon Jovi fans are once again disappointed to learn that the 80s rock icons are heading out on tour soon, but lead guitarist Richie Sambora is still absent from the stage, so much for the Bon Jovi brotherhood.
According to Globe insiders’ reports, the two longtime bandmates have been butting heads for years. Richie Sambora, who left the band in 2013 to focus on family, has reportedly made several attempts to reconnect. But sources say Jon Bon Jovi isn’t budging.
The rift apparently goes back nearly two decades, when producer John Shanks joined the creative process, leaving Sambora feeling “iced out.” Despite trying to make peace, including a 2024 visit to Bon Jovi’s New Jersey home with a vintage guitar as a gesture. Unfortunately, Sambora’s efforts reportedly hit a wall.
One insider claimed Jon’s response was to show him Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, a Hulu documentary. In which Sambora was said to be furious over the Hulu doc’s suggestion that he vanished for rehab rather than stepping back for family reasons.
Adding insult to injury, the same source alleged that Jon Bon Jovi offered Richie Sambora a much smaller cut if he ever returned. Dropping his share from 25 percent to just ten. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go over well.
The Bon Jovi informant adds that Jon’s said power move left Sambora “speechless.” Not to mention he “felt stabbed in the back again.”
Jon Bon Jovi Fans Aren’t Happy About Richie Sambora’s Exclusion, or the Ticket Prices
Now, as Jon Bon Jovi announces the band’s upcoming 2026 tour dates, fans are voicing major frustrations online. Many are disappointed that Richie’s been shut out again. Many feel a Bon Jovi concert doesn’t feel complete without Sambora.
Beyond that, ticket prices are reportedly sky-high, leaving loyal supporters grumbling that they are being priced out. Others have also pointed out that the only United States shows will be taking place in New York. In contrast, the other handful of concerts are abroad.
Despite the tension, there’s still a flicker of hope among die-hard Bon Jovi fans. Many are crossing their fingers that this isn’t Bon Jovi’s final tour. They claim that if the band really is nearing retirement, they want to see the whole lineup back together one last time. A full reunion with Richie Sambora would be the ultimate send-off for one of rock’s greatest bands.
Whether that dream reunion ever happens remains to be seen. For now, Bon Jovi is moving forward sans Richie Sambora. But one thing’s clear. Bon Jovi hasn’t given up hope. They hope one day, the band that defined an era will share the stage again and go out with a bang.
