Ariana Grande returns to touring after 7-year break

American singer, songwriter and actress Ariana Grande has officially launched her highly anticipated Eternal Sunshine Tour, marking her return to the concert stage with a sold-out performance at Oakland Arena in California.

The opening night marked Grande's first major headlining tour since 2019, drawing thousands of fans eager to witness the pop star's long-awaited comeback.

The Grammy winner delivered a visually striking production centred on her critically acclaimed 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine, while also performing fan favourites from earlier projects, including Positions, alongside several of her biggest chart-topping hits.

The concert kicked off what is expected to be one of the year's biggest music tours.

The 41-date arena trek will take Grande across North America and the United Kingdom, continuing her tradition of large-scale live performances last seen during her successful 2019 Sweetener World Tour.

The tour, which began in the first week of June, is scheduled to conclude on September 1 at London's O2 Arena.

The Oakland show is the first of several stops before Grande heads to major cities across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, where strong turnout is expected as she returns to touring after years away from the road.

According to TMZ, the "Eternal Sunshine Tour" is Grande's fifth concert tour and fourth arena tour, supporting her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine.

It also follows a seven-year gap since her last full touring cycle, during which she focused on releasing new music and expanding her career in film and television.

Grande has described the tour as a significant milestone and a heartfelt return to performing for her fans.

She has also suggested it could be her last major tour for an indefinite period, adding further significance to the tour for both the singer and her devoted fanbase.