Kenny Chesney had a major surprise up his sleeve for fans who attended the opening night of his 2026 run of shows at Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday night (June 19).
The country superstar invited Eric Church to the stage to join him for a three-song set in the middle of his show.
What Happened at Opening Night of Kenny Chesney’s 2026 Sphere Residency?
According to Setlist.fm, Chesney began his show with “Here and Now” and ran through a set that included “Beer in Mexico,” “Summertime,” “I Go Back” and more before Church came out about 20 songs in.
Church joined Chesney for a three-song set that began with a joint rendition of Chesney’s “When I See This Bar.”
READ MORE: Top 10 Kenny Chesney Songs: Country Music’s Most Important Modern Artists
They then collaborated on Church’s “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen,” and fan-shot clips of those performances have made their way to social media, including a humorous moment when Church forgot his own lyrics.
Country Minute posted the awkward pause, which became part of the show:
- Kenny Chesney played his first shows at the Sphere in 2025.
- Earlier in 2026, he announced six new dates to go along with six previously announced shows for 2026.
- Chesney later cancelled two dates slated for July 3-4 after hearing how badly they interfered with fans’ holiday plans.
What Are the Dates for Kenny Chesney’s 2026 Sphere Residency?
Chesney’s show on Friday, June 19 was the first night of his 2026 run at Sphere.
The remaining dates appear below:
June: 20, 24, 26, 27
July: 1, 8, 10, 11
What Was the Setlist at Kenny Chesney’s 2026 Sphere Opening Night?
1. “Here and Now”
2. “Living in Fast Forward”
3. “Young”
4.”Beer in Mexico”
5. “Keg in the Closet”
6. “Til It’s Gone”
7. “Summertime”
8. “Carry On”
9. “Reality”
10. “Pirate Flag”
11. “Big Star”
12. “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven”
13. “Guitars and Tiki Bars”
14. “Come Over”
15. “I Go Back”
16. “Knowing You”
17. “Noise”
18. “Setting the World on Fire”
19. “Get Along”
20. “When the Sun Goes Down”
21. “When I See This Bar” (with Eric Church)
22. Drink in My Hand (Eric Church cover with Eric Church)
23. “Springsteen” (Eric Church cover with Eric Church)
24. “All the Pretty Girls”
25. “Out Last Night”
26. “American Kids”
27. “Anything but Mine”
28. “How Forever Feels”
29. “Don’t Happen Twice”
Top 10 Kenny Chesney Songs: His Biggest Hits and Most Satisfying Deep Cuts
Here are Chesney’s greatest hits. These 10 songs should top any playlist. Each one is an original. Each one is timeless.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
