Kelly Clarkson Announces 2012 Dates

Kelly Clarkson kicks off the first leg of her 2012 world tour in mid-January with a gig in Mashantucket, Conn. The new dates mark her first major North American headline tour since 2009.

The pop rock star is hitting the road in support of her fifth studio album. Stronger, which was released Oct. 24 on RCA Records, debuted at No. 2 on the Nielsen SoundScan Top Current Albums Chart. The album’s first single, “Mr. Know It All,” reached No. 4 on the iTunes Singles Chart.

Before 2011 ends Clarkson will hit up a number of holiday radio shows including 96.5 TIC-FM All Star Christmas in Wallingford, Conn. (Dec. 1); WTMX Miracle On State Street in Chicago (Dec. 2); KDWB Jingle Ball in Minneapolis (Dec. 4); WIOQ Q102 Jingle Ball in Philadelphia (Dec. 7); Z100 Jingle Ball in New York City (Dec. 9); and Y100 Jingle Ball in Sunrise, Fla. (Dec. 10).

Photo: AP Photo

iHeartRadio Music Festival, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nev.

The 2012 Stronger Tour begins Jan. 13 in Mashantucket, Conn., at MGM Grand At Foxwoods. The first round of dates wraps up April 10 in San Diego at Valley View Casino Center.

The “American Idol” winner will also play Atlantic City, N.J. (Jan. 15); Boston (Jan. 26); Orlando, Fla. (Feb. 18); St. Louis (March 16); Broomfield, Colo. (March 18); Salt Lake City (March 20); Los Angeles (April 3); and Las Vegas (April 5).

She will also squeeze in a few Canadian shows including the following Ontario dates: Niagara Falls (March 2-3), London (March 6), and Windsor (March 8).

Matt Nathanson is coming along as a special guest. The singer-songwriter will support all dates of the U.S. leg with the exception of the Jan. 13, Feb. 18, and March 2-3 shows.

More dates will be announced.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. local venue time. A pre-sale for Clarkson’s fan community begins Wednesday. Kellebrities members will be emailed the presale ticket code Tuesday evening.

For more information click here for Kelly Clarkson’s website.