It began on March 18, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York, and concluded on December 22, 2019, in Inglewood, California at The Forum, visiting cities in North America and Europe throughout 97 dates.

Frequent collaborators and backup dancers of Grande, Brian and Scott Nicholson served as creative directors and LeRoy Bennett was enlisted as production designer.

A concert film documenting the tour entitled Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You, was released on Netflix on December 21, 2020, one day prior to the one year anniversary of the final show.

On May 6, 2018, Grande finally hinted a tour via her official Twitter account,[4] shortly after announcing the title for her upcoming album on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

[13] On December 10, 2018, due to popular demand, second shows were added in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Brooklyn, New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto.

On December 20, 2018, tickets were opened to the general public (excluding the United Kingdom), and due to popular demand, additional shows were added in Amsterdam, Paris and Dublin.

[19] On December 21, 2018, tickets were opened to the general public in the United Kingdom, and due to popular demand, additional shows were added in London and Birmingham.

The moon and the projection screen were both inflatable, requiring a set-up period of six to eight hours, although Grande's team assembled everything in 45 minutes for her Coachella set.

Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone gave the opening night at Albany a positive review, stating that "Grande's new world tour is full of emotional drama, iconic looks, and undeniable hits.

"[28] Chris Richards of the Washington Post praised her vocals stating that "Grande's voice is equal parts breathy and acrobatic, and she knows how to hit a big note like she's whispering it".

[29] Chris Willman of Variety called the show "giddy, splendorous, beautifully designed, expertly performed and almost a little bit avant-garde in its staging.

Shad Powers of USA Today stated that "Grande closed out Weekend One of Coachella in style, putting together a set that included special guests, stunning visuals, and of course her undeniable voice.

[36] Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian stated that "with her headline set surveying her entire career, [Grande's] work forms a fascinating, still-unfolding pop Bildungsroman: every sexual epiphany and personal milestone sketched out in real time, resulting in a uniquely involving opus.

"[37] Claire Shaffer from Rolling Stone stated that "Grande gave a star-studded headlining performance",[38] naming NSYNC's guest appearance as one of the best moments of the 2019 Coachella.

Suzy Exposito continued, "Grande became one of the boys that night, claiming Timberlake's verses from the center stage and whipping her lustrous, anime pony like a boss.

"[39] Lyndsey Havens of Billboard called Grande's set "epic" and stated that she "continues to rewrite the rule book for pop stardom and admittedly fosters a new relationship with herself.