Govind Tekale
If you have tickets to an upcoming Ed Sheeran US stadium date, the show lineup has changed. Multiple supporting artists have withdrawn from the tour following rapper Macklemore’s removal from a performance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The sequence of events began when Macklemore was barred from performing at Gillette Stadium by venue owner Robert Kraft, whose company Kraft Sports + Entertainment controls the stadium. The removal followed Macklemore’s onstage pro-Palestinian remarks. Ed Sheeran publicly stated the decision was taken out of his hands by the promoter, adding that some venues had threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the tour. Four of his scheduled supporting acts — Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga — subsequently withdrew from upcoming tour dates in solidarity with Macklemore.
If you hold tickets to an upcoming Ed Sheeran stadium date, check your ticketing account for lineup updates before the show. The original promotional materials may still list supporting acts who have since withdrawn. Gate times and set schedules can shift when opening act slots change. Standard stadium refund policies generally do not cover changes to supporting acts — only headline cancellations typically trigger a refund entitlement. Verify the current lineup through the official tour channels and your ticketing provider.
What Happened at Gillette Stadium
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium as part of Sheeran’s US tour. Robert Kraft, the New England Patriots owner whose company manages the stadium, stated the decision was based on Macklemore’s recent actions and accusations of offensive rhetoric. The removal followed Macklemore’s onstage pro-Palestinian remarks.
Sheeran publicly said the decision was made by the promoter and that some venues had threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained. This placed Sheeran in an uncomfortable position: the removal was not his own decision, yet the fallout fell across his entire tour lineup.
Ed Sheeran issued a public statement addressing the situation. The specific wording of his statement should be checked through verified news sources for the exact quote — no direct transcript was available at the time of writing.
Which Artists Withdrew
Four supporting acts confirmed their withdrawal: Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga. All cited solidarity with Macklemore over the venue removal. The Guardian and Reuters both confirmed the withdrawals as the story developed on September 15, 2026.
Readers seeking the current confirmed lineup for upcoming dates should check the official Ed Sheeran tour website and their ticketing platform, as replacement acts may have been announced after the initial withdrawals.
What Sheeran Said About the Decision
Ed Sheeran publicly explained that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter, not by him, and that certain venues had threatened to cancel shows if Macklemore remained on the bill. Sheeran’s statement positioned him as caught between his support for Macklemore and the commercial realities of the tour’s venue relationships.
Kraft’s public statement, issued by Kraft Sports + Entertainment, said the decision was based on Macklemore’s recent actions and what the organization characterized as antisemitic rhetoric. Macklemore has denied the characterization and has been vocal about his pro-Palestinian position.
The practical consequence for the tour is a reshaped lineup and the need for promoters to fill support act slots across remaining dates.
What Ticket Holders Should Do
- Check the official tour page for updated lineup announcements
- Log into your ticketing account — some platforms push notifications when lineup changes are confirmed
- Review the refund policy for your specific ticket purchase — terms vary by platform and event
- Arrive at normal gate times unless the venue or ticketing platform notifies you of a schedule change
Concert promoters are working to fill the support act slots ahead of remaining tour dates. The situation may continue to develop as additional artists respond publicly.
