Smashing Pumpkins
Madison

Smashing Pumpkins at the Kohl Center, Madison

The October 11 stop at the Kohl Center brings The Smashing Pumpkins to Madison for the first night of the Midwest leg of The Rats In A Cage Tour. After Northeast dates in Columbus, Boston, Baltimore, Brooklyn, and Pittsburgh, the band lands in Wisconsin for a Sunday night college-town arena show that is being treated as one of the marquee dates of the entire run. Browse the listings below to find your seats.

The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the defining alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Formed in Chicago in 1988 by Billy Corgan and James Iha, with Jimmy Chamberlin on drums, the band built a sound that pulled equally from heavy metal, dream pop, shoegaze, and electronic textures. Their 1991 debut Gish and 1993's Siamese Dream established them as one of the most ambitious acts in alternative rock, but it was 1995's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness that turned them into a generational phenomenon.

The double album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, sold more than ten million copies in the United States alone (earning a rare diamond RIAA certification), and produced five Top 40 singles including Tonight, Tonight, 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, and Thirty-Three. The Rats In A Cage Tour celebrates the album's 30th anniversary with a full-album performance every night, including in Madison.

The current touring lineup features founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin, plus Kiki Wong on guitar -- the breakthrough Las Vegas-born musician who joined the band in 2024 after Jeff Schroeder's departure. The band has continued to release new music at a steady clip, including the ambitious 33-song rock opera trilogy Atum (released across 2022-2023).

The Kohl Center is a 17,287-seat multi-purpose arena located at 601 West Dayton Street on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Home to the Wisconsin Badgers men's and women's basketball teams and the Badgers hockey team, the arena opened in 1998 and has been one of the busiest concert venues in the Upper Midwest ever since. Recent major shows have included Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Drake, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The Kohl Center is walking distance from State Street, the State Capitol building, and the Library Mall, making for an easy pre- and post-show evening.

What to expect at the show: the Mellon Collie set runs about 90 to 105 minutes for the full album, followed by a brief intermission and a 90-minute-plus career-spanning second set. Setlists for the second set have included tracks like Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm, Mayonaise, Drown, Eye, Ava Adore, and a selection from the Atum trilogy. With doors typically opening 90 minutes before showtime and any opening act adding another 30 to 45 minutes, plan for a full three to three and a half hour evening from doors through the encore.

Getting to the Kohl Center from elsewhere in Madison is direct. The arena is on the UW campus, walking distance from State Street and the Capitol Square. Multiple paid parking ramps are on campus, including Lake and Johnson Street ramps and the University Square ramp. Madison Metro buses serve the campus, and the arena has designated ride-share drop-off zones along Dayton Street. Game-day traffic patterns can apply on event nights.

How to Buy Smashing Pumpkins Madison Tickets

Where can I buy Smashing Pumpkins Madison tickets?

Tickets are available through the Kohl Center box office and authorized primary sellers like Ticketmaster, as well as the band's official tour page. Verified resale tickets are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a 100 percent buyer guarantee on every order.

When is the Madison show?

The Smashing Pumpkins play the Kohl Center in Madison on Sunday, October 11, 2026 as part of The Rats In A Cage Tour. Doors typically open about ninety minutes before showtime. The Madison date is the first night of the tour's Midwest leg.

What is the format of the Madison show?

The Madison show features two distinct sets. The first is a complete performance of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in album sequence, all 28 tracks. The second is a career-spanning set drawing from Gish, Siamese Dream, Adore, Machina, Oceania, the Atum rock opera trilogy, and the band's broader catalog. Plan for roughly three to three and a half hours including a brief intermission.

What should I know about the Kohl Center?

The Kohl Center is a 17,287-seat multi-purpose arena located at 601 West Dayton Street on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The venue opened in 1998 and is the home of Wisconsin Badgers basketball and hockey. It is walking distance from State Street and the State Capitol, making it easy to combine with a pre- or post-show dinner.

How do I get to the Kohl Center?

The Kohl Center is on the UW-Madison campus, walking distance from downtown Madison. Multiple paid parking ramps are on campus, including the Lake Street and Johnson Street ramps and the University Square ramp. Madison Metro buses serve the campus, and ride-share drop-off zones are designated along Dayton Street.

Are resale tickets from BigStub legitimate?

Yes. BigStub has been a trusted secondary ticket marketplace for more than 20 years and holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the resale industry. Every order is backed by a 100 percent buyer guarantee that protects against fraudulent or undelivered tickets, and there are no hidden service fees added at checkout. If the show is canceled and not rescheduled, customers receive a full refund through the BigStub guarantee program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Smashing Pumpkins playing in Madison in 2026?

Yes. The Smashing Pumpkins play the Kohl Center in Madison on Sunday, October 11, 2026 as part of The Rats In A Cage Tour. The Madison date is the first night of the tour's Midwest leg. Check the listings above for available tickets.

What is The Rats In A Cage Tour?

The Rats In A Cage Tour is The Smashing Pumpkins' fall 2026 North American arena tour. The name comes from the iconic Bullet With Butterfly Wings lyric. Every night features two sets: a full performance of the 1995 diamond-certified album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, followed by a career-spanning set pulling from nearly four decades of Pumpkins material.

Where is the Kohl Center?

The Kohl Center is located at 601 West Dayton Street on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The 17,287-seat arena is the home of Wisconsin Badgers basketball and hockey. It is walking distance from State Street and the State Capitol building, in the heart of the UW-Madison campus.

Who is in The Smashing Pumpkins now?

The current lineup features founding members Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar), James Iha (guitar), and Jimmy Chamberlin (drums), plus Kiki Wong on guitar. Kiki Wong joined the band in 2024 after Jeff Schroeder departed, and the four-piece configuration has been touring extensively since.

What songs will The Smashing Pumpkins play in Madison?

The Madison show will feature the full Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album in the first set -- 28 tracks including Tonight Tonight, 1979, Zero, Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Thirty-Three, Muzzle, Cupid de Locke, and the title track. The second set will draw from Gish, Siamese Dream, Adore, Machina, Oceania, the Atum rock opera, and the broader catalog.

How long is the Madison show?

The two-set format makes for an extended evening. Plan for roughly three to three and a half hours including a brief intermission between the Mellon Collie set and the career-spanning second set. Including any opening act, doors-to-encore can run close to four hours.

Who is opening for The Smashing Pumpkins in Madison?

Supporting acts for the Kohl Center show have not been confirmed. Some Rats In A Cage Tour dates feature regional or rotating opening acts. Check individual show pages for the most current opener information.

How much do Kohl Center Smashing Pumpkins tickets cost?

Prices vary by section and demand. Upper bowl seats trend toward more accessible pricing, while lower bowl and floor seats tend higher. College-town Sunday nights generally offer a range of price points. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

How do I get to the Kohl Center?

The Kohl Center is on the UW-Madison campus, walking distance from downtown Madison and State Street. Multiple paid parking ramps are on campus, including the Lake Street and Johnson Street ramps and the University Square ramp. Madison Metro buses serve the campus, and ride-share drop-off zones are along Dayton Street.

Can I get a refund if the show is canceled?

Yes. BigStub's 100 percent buyer guarantee covers refunds for shows that are canceled and not rescheduled. If the show is postponed to a new date, your tickets typically remain valid for the rescheduled performance. Contact BigStub customer service for help with any specific situation.

What is the Atum trilogy?

Atum is a 33-song rock opera released by The Smashing Pumpkins across three acts in 2022 and 2023. It is conceived as a sequel to the band's earlier concept albums Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Machina/The Machines of God. Tracks from Atum frequently appear in the career-spanning second set of the Rats In A Cage Tour.

Are kids allowed at the Madison show?

Yes, the Kohl Center is all-ages for The Smashing Pumpkins. The shows include some intense moments and pyro, but the production is appropriate for older kids and teens. Children typically need their own ticket above age 2 or 3.

What is parking like at the Kohl Center?

Multiple paid parking ramps are on the UW-Madison campus, including the Lake Street, Johnson Street, and University Square ramps. The closest lots fill up quickly on event nights, especially with Badgers competing for parking on game weekends. Public transit and ride-share zones are alternatives.

What is there to do in Madison before the show?

The Kohl Center is walking distance from State Street, one of Madison's busiest pedestrian-friendly dining and shopping streets. State Street runs from the State Capitol to the UW Library Mall, with a wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops. The Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota is another popular pre-show stop in warmer weather.

How early should I arrive at the Kohl Center?

Doors typically open about ninety minutes before showtime. Plan to arrive at least an hour before the opener for security, parking, and finding your seat. UW campus traffic can get busy on event nights, so allow extra time.