The details of the tour have been kept under wraps until now, fueling speculation of when, where and, equally important, how much.

Well, POLLSTAR.com has the goods!

The Rolling Stones kick off their World Tour 2002/2003 September 5 in Boston. After a North American run, they’ll hit Mexico, Australia, Europe, and for the first time, hopefully China, over the course of a year.

However, promoter Michael Cohl told RollingStone that plans could change. “If they’re having a good time and the fans are enjoying it, who knows what this could turn in to?” he said.

Unlike previous tours, the Stones will be playing a mixture of venues, stopping by arenas, stadiums, theatres, and clubs. In some markets, fans will have the opportunity to see three totally different shows in different-sized venues.

The tour will make use of three completely different productions and setlists, furthering their efforts to mix things up. All shows will feature a significant set of classic Rolling Stones hits as well as new songs.

“Only The Rolling Stones would dare to come up with a concept so ambitious – three dramatically different shows in three different venues, said Cohl. “It will be a spectacular musical event.”

Ticket prices run the gamut of $50 on up to $300 for Golden Circle arena seats, depending on venue size and market, making them one of the more affordable of the big name acts out on the road.

SamGoody.com is offering a ticket pre-sale for members of their getAccess program. Fans will be able to purchase tickets as early as May 8 for shows in Boston, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Pre-sales for other dates will be available in the coming weeks.

Membership to the getAccess club is $60 per year.

A consistent presence on the touring scene, The Rolling Stones have three of the top-grossing North American tours of all time, including 1994’s Voodoo Lounge.

Their last foray on the touring front was for 1997-98’s Bridges To Babylon and 1999’s No Security outings. Several artists, including Sugar Ray, Ryan Adams, The Corrs, Jonny Lang, and the Goo Goo Dolls traded opening slots on those shows. True to their history of providing quality opening acts, Sheryl Crow, No Doubt, Buddy Guy and Jonny Lang will be supporting this time around.

Although this tour marks the Stones’ 40th anniversary of their first public performance, some don’t consider their official start to be until 1963 when Charlie Watts joined the group.

This time around will see the familiar lineup of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts, Chuck Leavell, and Daryl Jones onstage.