The Pretenders [ tickets ], who currently are in the midst of an extensive European tour, have lined up a North American jaunt for early 2000. The Chrissie Hynde-led band will play a New Year's Eve show in San Francisco, then will break from the road until the 29-city theater tour opens in Florida on Jan. 27.

According to an itinerary released this week by Warner Bros. Records, the tour is scheduled to conclude in Pittsburgh on March 12. Tickets for some shows are now on sale.

After keeping a low profile for several years, the Pretenders--who have evolved into a showcase vehicle for Hynde--released the album ''Viva El Amor'' in June. The band backed up the release with appearances on the Lilith Fair tour. Hynde also was among the performers who performed at the ''Sheryl Crow & Friends'' concert in New York's Central Park in September.

''Viva El Amor'' was the first new studio album from the Pretenders since 1994's ''Last of the Independents,'' which spawned the top 40 hit ''I'll Stand By You.''

Only Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers remain from the Pretenders' original line-up. The band formed in Great Britain in 1978.