Lorde returns Down Under in 2026 with her Ultrasound World Tour

Two months after she crashed a fan event in Sydney, Lorde has officially announced her return to Australian stages, with the Ultrasound World Tour. See how you can score tickets.

Two months after she crashed a fan event in Sydney, Lorde is returning to the Harbour City.

The pop superstar has announced her long-awaited return to Australia and New Zealand, with the Ultrasound World Tour kicking off in February 2026.

It is the 28-year-old’s first tour down under since her 2023 shows.

The tour supports her new album Virgin, which dropped June 27 and has already stormed the charts, debuting at number one in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and number two in the US.

In an interview with Stuff at the Aotearoa Music Awards in May, the New Zealand star strongly hinted at the prospect of returning home for shows.

Lorde performing at the Glastonbury music festival last month. Picture: WireImage

“Could you imagine if I didn’t? That would be bad, that would be bad,” she said.

“Watch this space.”

The record sees Lorde return to form with sweeping production and personal lyricism across 11 tracks, including What Was That, Man Of The Year, Hammer, Favourite Daughter, and Shapeshifter.

“She’s back at her best,” Frontier Touring said, announcing the dates starting Feb 11 in Auckland then heading to Christchurch, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and wrapping in Perth on February 25.

Lorde will be playing at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18.

The announcement comes two months after the singer stunned fans by making a surprise appearance at an event dedicated to her in Sydney.

She crashed the “Lorde-themed club night” at Mary’s Underground in May, where she danced and sang along to her own songs alongside delighted revellers.

She was in Sydney as part of her new record’s promo trail.

The album, Virgin, was shaped in part by personal struggles, and a fire lit by a fellow pop star.

Lorde has been open about her personal struggles. Picture: WireImage)

Speaking to BBC Radio, Lorde, real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor, opened up about the eating disorder that had taken over her life.

“All I was thinking about was trying to weigh as little as possible. Going to sleep thinking about food, waking up thinking about food and exercise, that was my creative pursuit,” she said.

After a period of recovery, she says her creativity came rushing back.

“It was hard, it was scary … I made a lot of changes and really put my artistry front and centre and made that my full-time job.”

A creative jolt came in the form of Charli XCX’s Brat, and a remix that changed everything.

“Brat coming out really gave me a kick in a lot of ways,” she said.

“Charli had so masterfully defined everything about Brat, and I knew what I was doing was very distinct to that … it’s an amazing thing when a peer throws the gauntlet down like that.”

The American Express presale for tickets to her shows opens 1pm on Tuesday, July 15, with member presale from 2pm Thursday, July 17.

General public tickets go on sale 2pm Friday July 18.