After the U.S. leg, the Dixie Chicks will embark on the international portion of their On Top Of The World tour, hitting Europe and Australia.

There’s no word yet on opening acts.

“I think it takes the time off from touring to get you ready to go back on the road,” Emily Robison said. “We’re hungry to get back out there and I think we are all prepared and looking forward to that aspect of our career – being back on stage and doing live shows in front of thousands of people.”

Tickets go on sale in March, but for an annual fee of $30, fans can sign on to the Chicks’ fan club membership, which gets them, among other goodies, pre-sale tickets. Those will be available from February 26-28, after which non-members will get a crack.

Although most of the actual show information is being kept under wraps, one thing the band has made public is that their shows will be done ‘in the round’ style, making a more intimate setting and giving everybody in the arena a fair view.

“Our goal is to eliminate that typical audience – performer barrier and to be able to practically reach out and touch our fans,” Natalie Maines said. “To be separate and far off is not what this music is about.”

It’s been a few years since the Dixie Chicks were last out on the road, but the band’s fanbase hasn’t waned one bit. Shortly after their performance at this year’s Super Bowl in January, the group’s latest album, Home, made its way back to the No. 1 slot, which is where it started out when released in September.

The Chicks’ last tour found them packing arenas across North America with Vida, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Griffin and others supporting. The six-month, 89-date tour earned the group a No. 6 spot on POLLSTAR’s Top 100 tours for 2000, bringing in $47.3 million at the box office.