The Weeknd: who will be the opening act for the first of his four Stade de France shows?

This week, The Weeknd is set to light up the Stade de France four times as part of his "After Hours Til Dawn" tour! But before the Canadian star returns to the stage at France’s biggest stadium on July 8, 10, 11 and 12, 2026, fans can bide their time thanks to a warm-up act. So, who has been chosen to open the festivities in Paris and turn up the heat before The Weeknd takes the stage? We’ve got all the details.

Fans of The Weekend who were at the Stade de France on July 29 or 30, 2023, still remember it. That summer, the renowned Canadian star captivated the eyes and ears of Île-de-France concertgoers with a blazing show that paid homage to several of his numerous hits, including "Starboy," "Save Your Tears," and "Call Out My Name." This week, The Weeknd is set to top that performance with four Paris dates planned at the Stade de France from Wednesday, July 8, Friday 10, Saturday 11, and Sunday 12, 2026. Four fresh concerts at France’s biggest stadium as his acclaimed tour extension, "After Hours Til Dawn," rolls on.

But before the crowd gets lost in the countless hits of The Weeknd, they'll first be treated to an opening act at the Stade de France. So, who is the special guest handpicked by The Weeknd to kick off his shows across Paris? Who’s been chosen to set the tone and gradually heat things up? The answer is Playboi Carti!

The Weeknd au Stade de France en 2026 : prix des places et ouverture de la billetterie — © Live Nation France

American rapper from Atlanta, Playboi Carti launched his music career in 2011. However, it wasn't until 2017 and the release of his self-titled mixtape that he truly made a name for himself. With hits like "Magnolia" and "wokeuplikethis*," Playboi Carti broke into the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

Several months later, precisely on May 11, 2018, the rapper released his debut full-length album, titled "Die Lit." The record features collaborations with artists such as Travis Scott, Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna, Nicki Minaj, and Young Thug. Two years on, Playboi Carti returned with "Whole Lotta Red," his second studio album, this time showcasing partnerships with Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Future. His third and final LP, "MUSIC," was released in 2025. In the meantime, the Atlanta-born artist kept busy with numerous projects, including a feature on The Weeknd's track "Timeless."

So it's no surprise that Playboi Carti will be opening for The Weeknd on every stop of the French leg. After all, Carti has racked up more than 31 billion streams worldwide in just a few years. Catch him live in Paris at the Stade de France on July 8, 10, 11, or 12, 2026, as The Weeknd’s warm-up act.