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National

Madonna's upcoming Celebration Tour draws on 40 years of hits. Time to test your memory

First, her Instagram was wiped, ready for some big news.

Then, music icon Madonna dropped the plan via a racy, celebrity-filled "announcement" — the 64-year-old is embarking on a greatest hits tour.

Despite the controversy surrounding previous tours, including her last time in Australia when the star was hours late to perform, she has promised fans it'll be "the show they have been waiting for".

So far, there are 35 North American and European dates, but nothing elsewhere (including Australia).

Here's what we know about the tour so far — and take a quick look back at 40 years of Madonna's hits.

Who was in that announcement? 

In true Madonna style, the video was a risque truth-or-dare session that culminated in Amy Schumer "daring" her to go on a world tour.

Madonna asks: "You think people would come to that show?", before adding: "The answer is, f*** yeah."

The celebrity roundtable included RuPaul's Drag Race winner, Bob The Drag Queen, who will join the singer on tour.

Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Lil Wayne and Diplo were all part of the video, alongside US comedians Eric Andre, Kate Berlant, Meg Stalter and Larry Owens.

Tell me about the controversy...

The last time Madonna was in Australia, in 2016, hundreds of angry fans left and had their tickets refunded after a 9pm show in Brisbane didn't start until almost 11:30pm.

And her last US tour in 2019 and 2020 sparked two class actions over her running late, before the final days were cut when COVID hit and large gatherings were banned.

How big will this tour be?

Tickets start selling on January 20, so we won't know for a little while, but one executive told US music publication Billboard that it will be "the biggest tour she’s ever done", with plenty of over-the-top production.

Could she take in more than stars like Elton John, with his massive farewell tour?

Both were on the road in 2020, but Madonna's Madame X shows were in much smaller venues and not stadiums.

Still, she'd have a big task — John took in more than $US114 million ($163 million) that year alone, compared to the Material Girl's $US36 million ($51 million).

Do you know your Madonna?

See if any of these quick questions stump you:

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