Ed Sheeran weighs cancelling remaining Loop Tour dates

• All supporting acts and backing band Beoga dropped out in solidarity, leaving Sheeran set to perform solo.
• Mounting pro-Palestinian demonstrations and public advocacy have driven down secondary ticket prices amid refund confusion.

Ed Sheeran is reportedly considering pulling the plug on his entire Loop Tour as the fallout from rapper Macklemore’s "Free Palestine" onstage remarks continues to plunge the production into political controversy and operational chaos.

The 35-year-old British singer-songwriter found himself at the center of the dispute after Macklemore, 43, spoke out regarding the 'Israel's' genocide toward Gaza during a concert.

Macklemore was subsequently removed from the tour, with Sheeran attributing the decision to pressure from stadium owners and promoters, including Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft.

In the wake of Macklemore's firing, every remaining opening act and supporting group on the bill—including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Sheeran’s backing band, Beoga—withdrew from the tour in solidarity.

Industry sources indicate that Sheeran is frustrated by the rapid politicization of his concerts and is actively weighing whether to cancel the remaining tour dates.

"Ed is livid because this has become the exact opposite of what he wanted," a source told Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice Substack on Friday, September 18. "He wants to walk onstage, play his songs and entertain people. Suddenly his tour is becoming a referendum on politics... He would rather pull the plug than spend every night watching his music become secondary to a political fight he never asked to join."

Celebrities weigh in with donations 

The tour fallout has sparked broad reaction across the entertainment industry. Kids YouTube performer Ms. Rachel (Rachel Griffin-Accurso), 43, announced on Instagram that she would match Macklemore’s $1 million donation of his net tour earnings to organizations supporting Palestinians, while calling on other wealthy figures to do the same.

Kraft, 85, also released a statement claiming that Sheeran asked him to commit $2 million to match Sheeran's own donation toward regional humanitarian aid prior to Macklemore's challenge. Kraft stated he aims to work with Sheeran and other venue owners to "build bridges."

Actress Melissa Barrera, who was dropped from the Scream franchise in 2023 over social media posts criticizing 'Israel', expressed admiration for the musicians who stepped down in support of Macklemore.

"It was so beautiful to see Finneas and the band and all the opening acts pulling out in support of Macklemore," Barrera told the AP. "I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Ed Sheeran had been like, 'No,' and called the bluff... I bet you that he could have rebooked those shows in other venues just as easily, and people would have rallied behind him."

Barrera noted that while her own firing from Scream 7 saw little public defense from co-stars at the time—though actor Matthew Lillard recently expressed feeling "ashamed" for starring in the 2026 installment—the collective stance taken by Sheeran’s openers reflects a shift in artistic solidarity.

Philadelphia show faces price drops

Sheeran is scheduled to take the stage Saturday night at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field to perform solo following the departure of his band and openers.

A coalition of pro-Palestinian groups—including Writers Against the War on Gaza, the Boycott Cooknsolo Coalition, and Shut Down Day & Zimmermann—announced plans to demonstrate outside the venue at 4:30 p.m. Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson Tanya Little stated that law enforcement is coordinating with venue organizers to ensure public safety.

Ticket resale markets have responded swiftly to the lineup collapse. TickPick data cited by Forbes showed minimum ticket prices falling from $100 on Tuesday to $51 by Friday morning, with StubHub listings dropping to $42 by Friday afternoon.

None of the tour's remaining US stops are sold out.

Confusion remains regarding ticket exchanges and refunds.

Ticketmaster’s standard purchase policy dictates that opening acts are subject to change without notice and do not qualify buyers for refunds, while Sheeran’s official website states all sales are final. However, local news outlet Billy Penn reported that some Philadelphia ticket holders have begun receiving refunds directly from Lincoln Financial Field due to the lineup changes.