Well, that was underwhelming.

After months of reunion rumours and one very deliberate teaser that sent the internet into overdrive, the Spice Girls finally revealed what all the fuss was about on Thursday. And let’s just say the fanbase did not take it well.

What Happened

On Wednesday, the official Spice Girls Instagram account dropped a mysterious video featuring a newspaper sitting on the staircase of London’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel — the exact same location used in the iconic 1996 “Wannabe” music video. The mock-up advert read: “R U a Spice Girls fan with the ability to sing and dance? R U a superfan, a collector, a music lover?” and promised an announcement at 2pm BST on Thursday 10th September.

The caption was simply: “10.09.2026 | 2pm BST.”

Naturally, fans assumed the worst (well, the best): a full five-piece reunion tour. With Victoria Beckham. In a stadium. With tickets they’d already started mentally budgeting for.

What They Actually Got

Instead, the group announced The Singles Collection — a 30th anniversary box set featuring 14 coloured seven-inch vinyl records and CDs, B-sides, previously unreleased demos (including Do You Think About Me), art cards, and a 28-page booklet with messages from all five members.

Bundles are priced up to £277. The collection drops on November 6.

No tour. No reunion. No Victoria.

The Backlash

To say fans were disappointed would be an understatement of Spice World proportions.

“Another major disappointment,” fumed one commenter. “At this point it’s hopeless to anticipate any reunion. You’re milking your fans like any other greedy corporation. It’s not fair, but it also damages the memory and nostalgia.”

“Major disappointment, we wanted a concert with the 5 of you,” said another.

“I’ll tell you what I want! What I really really want…. A TOUR WITH ALL 5!” raged a third.

“Absolutely ridiculous how they get us hyped up for just a release of their singles on a CD,” added someone else.

Over on Rolling Stone, the reactions were equally brutal: “Negotiating with my husband on my price cap for Spice Girls tickets today was for NOTHING,” one fan wrote. “puts credit card back in purse” said another. “Clocking this as the biggest let down of 2026 lol.”

One particularly gutted fan noted: “I literally was looking up part time jobs to buy tickets for tour.”

And the most painfully accurate take of all: “Rule No. 1 of a Spice Girls announcement/countdown: It’s always anniversary merch. Don’t get too excited.”

Why This Hurts So Much

The Spice Girls haven’t performed publicly as a full five-piece since the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony — a moment so iconic it still gives millennials chills.

Their last tour in 2019 was a four-piece affair, with Victoria Beckham conspicuously absent. She cited business commitments and, reportedly, anxiety around live performances.

But fans have had reason to hope. Mel B has spoken openly about wanting to reunite, saying: “I do think we should be doing something… For our fans, they’ve been so loyal, and they’re just there all the time – even now, 30 years on.”

Melanie C added: “We want to do something – who knows when. But I still feel very optimistic.”

There have even been whispers of a Las Vegas Sphere residency.

So when that cryptic newspaper advert asked if fans could “sing and dance,” it felt like a casting call. A sign. A moment.

It was not.

The Silver Lining

Okay, look. The box set is genuinely quite lovely. Fourteen coloured vinyls. Unreleased demos from the vault. A booklet with messages from Emma, Geri, Mel B, Mel C, and Victoria. For collectors, it’s a dream.

But for the fans who have spent 30 years waiting to see all five of them on stage together one last time? It’s a gut punch.

As one fan put it so perfectly: “This is not what the fans wanted.”

We’ll always have the Olympics. But damn, this one stings.

What do you think? Were you hoping for a reunion tour? Let us know in the comments.