Ed Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts due to severe weather

Ed Sheeran’s United States concert tour faces yet another disruption. Concerts scheduled for Friday, 25 September 2026, and Saturday, 26 September 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have been called off. The venue, owned by billionaire Robert Kraft, announced the cancellations in anticipation of a powerful nor'easter bearing down on the East Coast.

Weather Threats and Storm Logistics

The decision to halt the weekend performances came after consultations between stadium management, tour promoters, public safety officials, and local authorities. A statement released on Friday, 25 September 2026, by Messina Touring, the Loop tour’s promoter, confirmed the closures.

"Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium. The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority."

Messina Touring, via Instagram

According to reports from the Associated Press, the impending nor'easter is projected to bring strong winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rainfall across the region. Wind gusts around Boston are expected to reach between 50 to 55 mph, with inland areas anticipating gusts between 35 and 40 mph.

Stadium owner Robert Kraft confirmed the cancellation details to TMZ, noting that the venue and tour management had monitored forecasts closely over the preceding week. Ticket holders are eligible for refunds at their point of purchase, while purchases made through Ticketmaster are slated for automatic refunds.

Tour Controversy and Opening Act Fallout

The weather-related cancellations arrive on the heels of weeks of intense turbulence for the Loop tour. Earlier in the month, rapper Macklemore—who served as an opening act for the tour's US leg—was dismissed by Messina Touring. The dismissal followed a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey where Macklemore chanted Free Palestine and performed his protest track Hind’s Hall.

The move triggered petitions from groups including the Israeli-American Council. While Ed Sheeran denied having a direct role in Macklemore's removal, he acknowledged speaking with stadium owners, including Kraft, who expressed concern over the rapper's continued participation. Newsweek reported that ticket prices for Sheeran's concerts subsequently fell by more than ten percent, citing figures from TicketData.

The ousting prompted widespread departures among the tour's supporting lineup. Artists including Finneas, folk band Beoga (serving as Sheeran’s backing band), Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Additional acts from earlier legs, such as Biird and Myles Smith, also voiced support for the rapper.

Tour Development	Details
Concert Dates Canceled	Friday, 25 September 2026, and Saturday, 26 September 2026
Venue	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Weather Impact	Nor'easter bringing heavy rain, coastal flooding, and 35–55 mph wind gusts
Ticketing Resolution	Point-of-purchase refunds; automatic refunds via Ticketmaster

Artist Statements and Broader Repercussions

Returning to the stage the following weekend in Philadelphia, Sheeran performed solo with a modified stage setup. Addressing the crowd, he explained that he had removed his b-stage because he was afraid of what might happen if I stood in the middle and admitted questioning whether he wanted to be an artist at all following the backlash. Sheeran stated that he previously attempted to avoid political commentary to keep his shows focused on unity:

"What happened in Israel and at the Nova music festival on October 7 was horrific and compounded centuries of Jewish pain. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disproportionate. My heart has been broken by the scale of devastation and loss of civilians' lives, children's lives. And the systemic injustice we are seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked."

Ed Sheeran, via stage remarks in Philadelphia

Sheeran also expressed deep worry regarding demands that venues pre-approve artist content, describing it as a practice that should never happen in the free world.

Meanwhile, Macklemore announced a forthcoming European concert series titled the Free Palestine tour, with dates scheduled in Dublin, Paris, and London, followed by future US stops. The rapper stated that all proceeds from his tour will benefit organizations providing medical care, humanitarian assistance, education, and community advocacy for Palestinians, following his pledge to donate $1 million in earnings from his time on Sheeran's tour to pro-Palestinian charities.

Next Steps

With the Massachusetts shows called off, the Loop tour's schedule faces a brief pause. Ed Sheeran is next scheduled to perform on Friday, 3 October 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.