Smashing Pumpkins
Columbus

Smashing Pumpkins at Schottenstein Center, Columbus

For Pumpkins fans in central Ohio, the September 30 stop at the Schottenstein Center is the night the entire Rats In A Cage Tour begins. The Smashing Pumpkins have always treated tour openers as something special -- the night where the show structure gets road-tested, where the band leans into the energy of fresh stagecraft, and where the audience knows it is hearing things first. Columbus catches the tour at its most experimental, before the kinks get smoothed out or the surprises get spoiled. 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 distinctive wall-of-guitar 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 28-track 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 album earned seven Grammy nominations and is widely considered one of the most ambitious and successful rock concept albums of the decade. The Rats In A Cage Tour celebrates the album's 30th anniversary with a full-album performance every night, starting right here in Columbus.

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 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) and earlier 2010s and 2020s albums.

The Schottenstein Center is a 19,500-capacity multi-purpose arena on the campus of The Ohio State University, located at 555 Borror Drive on the north side of the campus. The venue, often called "the Schott," is the home of Buckeyes basketball and one of the busiest arena rooms in the Midwest. It has hosted everyone from the Eagles and U2 to recent stops by Olivia Rodrigo, Drake, and Bruno Mars. The acoustics for arena rock are excellent, with sightlines from the upper bowl giving even the highest seats a strong view of the floor.

What to expect at the show: the Mellon Collie set is the first set of the night, run in full album sequence including deep cuts like Cupid de Locke, Galapogos, In the Arms of Sleep, We Only Come Out at Night, and Take Me Down. Expect roughly 90 to 105 minutes for the album side. The career-spanning second set runs another 90 minutes and pulls from across the band's entire catalog -- Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm, Mayonaise, Drown, Eye, Ava Adore, and a wide selection from the Atum trilogy among them. With an intermission between sets, plan for a full three to three and a half hour evening.

Getting to the Schottenstein Center from elsewhere in Columbus is straightforward. There are multiple paid parking lots and garages on the OSU campus and within a half-mile walk, plus COTA bus service that runs to the Lane Avenue stops near the arena. Ride-share drop-off zones are clearly marked. The Lane Avenue corridor has plenty of pre- and post-show dining options, and the OSU campus area has the bar and restaurant density to make a full evening out of it.

How to Buy Smashing Pumpkins Columbus Tickets

Where can I buy Smashing Pumpkins Columbus tickets?

Tickets are available through the Schottenstein 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 Columbus show?

The Smashing Pumpkins kick off The Rats In A Cage Tour on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. Doors typically open about ninety minutes before showtime. As the opening night of the tour, this date is one of the most anticipated of the entire run.

What is the format of the Columbus show?

The Columbus 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 Schottenstein Center?

The Schottenstein Center is a 19,500-capacity multi-purpose arena located at 555 Borror Drive on The Ohio State University campus. The arena, often called "the Schott," is the home of Buckeyes basketball and a major arena tour stop. Multiple paid parking lots and garages are on campus, and COTA bus service runs to the Lane Avenue stops near the arena.

How do I get to the venue?

The Schottenstein Center is on The Ohio State University campus, about three miles north of downtown Columbus. Take Route 315 to Lane Avenue or Olentangy River Road for direct access. COTA bus service runs to the Lane Avenue stops, and ride-share drop-off zones are designated at the arena entrances. Plan extra travel time for OSU campus traffic on event nights.

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 Columbus in 2026?

Yes. The Smashing Pumpkins open The Rats In A Cage Tour on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. The Columbus date is the very first night of the 27-date North American arena run. 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.

Why is Columbus the tour kickoff?

Columbus has become a regular major-tour kickoff city in recent years, with the Schottenstein Center and the OSU campus area offering a strong combination of arena production capacity and a Big Ten college fan base. For the Rats In A Cage Tour, kicking off in Columbus means fans there get the very first chance to hear the new staging, setlist surprises, and full-album Mellon Collie performance.

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 Columbus?

The Columbus show, as the tour opener, 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 Smashing Pumpkins Columbus 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 Columbus?

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

How much do Columbus Smashing Pumpkins tickets cost?

Prices vary by section and demand. Upper bowl seats trend toward more accessible pricing, while floor seats and lower bowl tickets tend higher. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

Where is the Schottenstein Center?

The Schottenstein Center is located at 555 Borror Drive on The Ohio State University campus in Columbus. The 19,500-capacity arena is the home of Buckeyes basketball and one of the busiest arena venues in the Midwest. It is about three miles north of downtown Columbus.

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 Columbus show?

Yes, the Schottenstein 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 Schottenstein Center?

Multiple paid parking lots and garages are available on The Ohio State University campus and within a half-mile walk of the arena. The closest lots fill up quickly on event nights. COTA bus service and designated ride-share zones are alternatives. Plan to arrive early on a tour opening night.

Will there be merchandise at the show?

Yes. The Schottenstein Center will have official Smashing Pumpkins tour merchandise, including tour-specific shirts, 30th anniversary Mellon Collie reissue items, and city-specific designs. As the tour opener, expect a strong selection. Merch tends to move quickly -- arriving early to the venue is recommended.

How early should I arrive at the venue?

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. The two-set format and intermission mean the show itself runs long, so settling in early helps the night flow.