What to expect at My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade Tour: Setlist, start time and more

Nearly 20 years after The Black Parade turned grief, fear and defiance into a rock opera, My Chemical Romance is taking it somewhere even bigger.

The 2026 tour brings Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Frank Iero and Mikey Way into stadiums for a show built around the album from beginning to end. When The Black Parade wraps up, they are not done. The band heads to a second stage and starts pulling from the rest of its catalog, with hits, deep cuts and a few surprises that can change from one night to the next.

There is plenty happening around the music, too. Rotating special guests, propaganda videos, actors, pyrotechnics and the fictional state of Draag turn the whole thing into much more than an anniversary show.

Recent concerts at Citi Field, Nissan Stadium and Nationals Park have given fans a good idea of what to expect from the show. Whether you already have My Chemical Romance tickets or are still picking a date, here’s what to know before joining The Black Parade.

Ultimate guide to My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade Tour”

If you’re going to one of the remaining shows, there are a few things worth knowing before you get there. Start times have been pretty consistent so far, the opener changes depending on the city and the second half of the night is where the setlist can really move around.

Below, you’ll find the remaining dates, special guests, recent stage times, setlist details, what the production is like and a few things to know before heading to the venue.

Upcoming My Chemical Romance tour dates and openers

The 2026 tour is already underway, but several stadium and Hollywood Bowl dates remain. Opening acts can change, so check the event listing for your city before show day.

Who is opening for My Chemical Romance on tour?

The 2026 tour features rotating special guests rather than one opening act for the entire run. The lineup changes by city, and the remaining shows pull from punk, emo, indie rock, metal and alternative music.

Iggy Pop is one of punk’s foundational figures, and he still brings the kind of raw, unpredictable live energy that can make an opening slot feel like its own event.

Sleater-Kinney built its reputation on jagged guitars, big hooks and a live show that still hits with plenty of force.

The Breeders, led by Kim Deal, bring fuzzy guitars, offbeat melodies and one of the most recognizable alternative-rock songs of the ’90s in “Cannonball.”

BABYMETAL mixes heavy riffs, J-pop melodies and tightly choreographed performance into something completely its own.

Jimmy Eat World brings decades of emo and alternative-rock favorites, from “The Middle” and “Sweetness” to deeper cuts longtime fans know by heart.

The Mars Volta brings a much more unpredictable sound, with long, winding songs that pull from progressive rock, psychedelia and Latin music.

The Used is one of the most natural pairings on the schedule, with a catalog deeply tied to the 2000s post-hardcore and emo era.

Thrice has been a post-hardcore favorite for more than 20 years, with songs that can go from loud and aggressive to dark and atmospheric. They’re a great fit for the Halloween finale.

If your date has a listed special guest, arriving early is worth it. These are established acts with their own devoted audiences, and several could easily headline a big night on their own.

What time does My Chemical Romance go on stage?

Exact stage times can change by city, but the first three U.S. shows have been remarkably consistent.

My Chemical Romance started around 8:35 p.m. at Citi Field, 8:30 p.m. at Nissan Stadium and 8:35 p.m. at Nationals Park. The special guest has gone on around 7 p.m. at each of those shows.

Based on the U.S. run so far, around 8:30 p.m. is a good estimate for MCR. Still, get inside before the time listed on your ticket, especially if you want to catch the opener and avoid missing the beginning of the main show.

How long is a My Chemical Romance concert?

The first three U.S. shows have all landed in a pretty tight range.

MCR played for about two hours and 30 minutes at Citi Field, two hours and 25 minutes at Nissan Stadium and two hours and 20 minutes at Nationals Park.

That makes roughly two hours and 20 to 30 minutes a good expectation for the current U.S. run. Once you add the opener, getting into the stadium and the post-show exit, the full night can easily stretch four to five hours.

What is "The Black Parade Tour" setlist?

That first half is the part fans can count on most. My Chemical Romance opens with the 13 main songs from The Black Parade in album order, then shifts to the B-stage for a second set that can change a lot from night to night.

Here is the setlist from the Aug. 13 show at Nissan Stadium:

That first half is the part fans can count on most. Citi Field, Nashville and Washington all featured the same 13-song Black Parade run, followed by a reprise of “The End.” and “Blood” played from tape.

The B-stage is another story. Citi Field got songs including “Honey, This Mirror Isn’t Big Enough for the Two of Us,” “Give ’Em Hell, Kid,” “Summertime,” “Heaven Help Us,” “Bulletproof Heart,” “Bury Me in Black” and “Demolition Lovers.”

At Nationals Park, the band went in a different direction with “Hang ’Em High,” “Surrender the Night,” “The Ghost of You,” “DESTROYA,” “Desolation Row,” “Party Poison” and “Desert Song.”

So the album portion is predictable. The second half is where every city can get something different.

Does My Chemical Romance perform the full The Black Parade album?

Yes. At Citi Field, Nissan Stadium and Nationals Park, My Chemical Romance played all 13 main tracks from The Black Parade in album order, from “The End.” through “Famous Last Words.”

Does My Chemical Romance play “Welcome to the Black Parade”?

Yes. “Welcome to the Black Parade” has been the fifth song in the album sequence at all three completed U.S. shows.

So this is not one of those songs saved for the very end. If that opening piano note is the moment you are waiting for, be inside before MCR starts.

Does My Chemical Romance play “Helena”?

So far, yes. “Helena” has appeared at Citi Field, Nissan Stadium and Nationals Park, each time during the second half of the show.

Because the B-stage set changes from city to city, it is not guaranteed. But based on the U.S. run so far, it has been one of the more reliable songs outside The Black Parade.

Does My Chemical Romance play older hits?

Yes, and this is where the setlist gets much less predictable.

“I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” and “Helena” have both appeared at all three U.S. shows, while other dates have brought out songs like “Thank You for the Venom,” “The Ghost of You,” “Give ’Em Hell, Kid,” “Our Lady of Sorrows” and “Vampires Will Never Hurt You.”

Are there covers or special interludes?

Yes. The U.S. shows have included theatrical music and interludes that help build out the world of Draag between songs.

“Over Fields (The National Anthem of Draag)” has appeared at all three U.S. dates, while Clarice Jensen has performed between the two halves of the show. Nationals Park also got a surprise cover of Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row,” which shows just how unpredictable the B-stage portion can be.

Is there an encore?

Not in the traditional sense.

The show is split into two parts rather than a main set followed by a short encore. After The Black Parade portion ends, MCR comes back on the B-stage for another full run of songs.

That second half has included some of the biggest crowd moments of the night, including “I’m Not Okay (I Promise),” “Na Na Na” and “Helena,” so there is still plenty left after the album wraps up.

What is the production like?

The first half goes all in on The Black Parade.

The album plays out inside the fictional world of Draag, with propaganda videos, staged announcements, actors, costumes and scenes worked into the show between songs. Big screens, dramatic lighting, pyrotechnics and explosions make it feel much more like a full production than a band simply playing an album front to back.

After a short break, the whole feel of the show changes. MCR heads to the B-stage and starts pulling from the rest of its catalog, without nearly as much of the Draag storyline surrounding it.

That contrast is a big part of the fun. The first half feels like a rock opera. The second feels more like MCR digging into whatever songs they want to play that night.

When should you arrive?

About 90 minutes before the listed show time is a good target if you want time for merch, food and getting to your seat without rushing.

At the first three U.S. shows, the opener has generally started around 7 p.m., with My Chemical Romance taking the stage around 8:30 to 8:35 p.m. Gates at Citi Field and Nationals Park opened around 5:30 p.m.

It is especially worth being inside before MCR starts. The Draag storyline begins right away, so showing up a few songs late means missing part of the actual show, not just the opening tracks.

What should you bring?

Start with a fully charged phone and your mobile ticket, plus a portable battery if your venue allows one.

Earplugs are also a smart idea. Between the stadium sound system, pyrotechnics and explosions, this is a loud show.

For the outdoor August and September dates, check the forecast before you leave. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen or a lightweight rain layer may all come in handy depending on the weather.

Bag, water-bottle and costume-accessory rules vary by venue, so check the prohibited-items policy for your specific show before heading out.

What should fans wear to “The Black Parade Tour?"

This is one of those tours where fans have plenty of room to lean into the look.

Expect black-and-white outfits, band shirts, dramatic makeup, skeleton details, military-style jackets and plenty of old My Chemical Romance merch making its way back out of the closet.

Just make sure whatever you wear can handle a long night. You could be walking from parking, standing in merch lines, climbing stadium stairs and spending hours outside. For the summer shows, lighter layers are probably your friend.

Is “The Black Parade Tour” appropriate for younger fans?

My Chemical Romance has been around long enough that plenty of fans who grew up with The Black Parade are now bringing younger listeners with them.

It can make for a great first big rock show, but it is also loud, long and full of pyrotechnics, explosions and some pretty dark themes. Younger fans should also be ready for a late night and a crowd that will be singing along for most of it.

Earplugs are a good idea for kids, teens and anyone sensitive to loud sound. Reserved seats may also be easier than floor or pit areas for younger concertgoers.

Check your venue’s age policy and entry rules before buying tickets.

How to get My Chemical Romance tickets on SeatGeek

This is the kind of show where your seat can really change the night. A closer seat gets you closer to MCR, while higher sections can give you a better view of the full stage, screens and production.

To find tickets for “The Black Parade Tour” on SeatGeek:

1. Visit the My Chemical Romance tickets page on SeatGeek.

2. Select the tour date and city you want to attend.

3. Use the interactive map to compare sections, rows and prices.

4. Check View From Seat when available, particularly for stadium and Hollywood Bowl dates.

5. Use Deal Score and filters to compare value, price and location.

6. Review the full displayed ticket price and listing details before checkout.

7. Complete your purchase and follow the delivery instructions in your SeatGeek account. Have your mobile tickets ready before show day and confirm your venue’s bag policy in advance. Every qualified order is backed by the SeatGeek Buyer Guarantee.

Once the ticket is in your phone, all that is left is the fun part. Get there early, take in the whole production and stick around for whatever MCR decides to pull out on the B-stage.

When thousands of people hit the first words of “Welcome to the Black Parade” at the same time, you will know exactly why this album still fills stadiums 20 years later.