Key Highlights
- Ed Sheeran’s Friday and Saturday concerts at Gillette Stadium have been cancelled due to a severe weather forecast, with refunds issued automatically to Ticketmaster purchasers.
- The cancellation follows a controversy in which venue owner Robert Kraft barred rapper Macklemore from the “Loop Tour” lineup over pro-Palestine comments Kraft characterized as “hate speech” and “antisemitic rhetoric.”
- Kraft stated the decision was based on Macklemore’s “recent actions” and a “broader history” of offensive material, while acknowledging Palestinian suffering but emphasizing Hamas’s responsibility.
Weather Forces Last-Minute Cancellation of Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium Shows
Ed Sheeran’s highly anticipated weekend performances at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have been scrapped at the eleventh hour. The singer-songwriter, 35, was scheduled to perform on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, as part of his “Loop Tour,” albeit without his support acts. However, a representative for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who owns the venue through the Kraft Group, announced the “difficult decision” to cancel both concerts.
According to TMZ, stadium and tour management, alongside public safety officials, had been monitoring the forecast for the past week. The area is bracing for heavy rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph. A spokesperson for Kraft told the outlet: “Stadium and tour management, along with public safety officials, have been closely monitoring the weather forecast over the past week. Due to the severe weather forecast throughout the weekend, the tour has made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium.” The statement emphasized that “The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority. Refunds are available now at the point of purchase.” It added that “Ticket holders who purchased through Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded.” Earlier reports indicated that stage construction had already been paused in anticipation of the inclement conditions.
Background: Kraft’s Ultimatum and Macklemore’s Removal
The weather-related cancellation marks the latest chapter in a saga that has engulfed the “Loop Tour” for weeks. The controversy erupted earlier this month when Kraft, 85, intervened to prevent Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore from performing at the Foxborough venue. Macklemore revealed in a statement that the “A Team” singer had received a direct call from the billionaire businessman. “We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group,” the rapper said. “Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium.”
Macklemore further alleged that the pressure extended beyond a single venue. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues’.” The rapper had made pro-Palestine comments during recent performances, actions that Kraft subsequently cited as the basis for the ban. With Macklemore removed and now Sheeran’s shows cancelled, no performers will take the Gillette Stadium stage this weekend.
Kraft’s Statement on Venue Policy and Hate Speech
Addressing the decision to bar Macklemore, Kraft articulated a strict venue policy regarding on-stage rhetoric. He stated: “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech.” The owner detailed the specific rationale, citing the rapper’s recent conduct and past history.
“Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line.” Kraft attempted to nuance the stance regarding the broader geopolitical conflict. “This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Their pain and loss are real. But that advocacy should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or obscure the responsibility of Hamas, a United States and globally (including Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan) designated terrorist organisation whose horrific actions have caused immeasurable suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
Why This Matters
The cancellation underscores the volatile intersection of live entertainment, venue ownership politics, and geopolitical discourse. Robert Kraft’s dual role as a prominent NFL franchise owner and a major concert venue operator gave him unique leverage to enforce a content moderation policy on a touring artist, setting a precedent for how stadium owners may police political speech on their stages. For the live music industry, the incident highlights the fragility of stadium tours when venue owners assert editorial control over performer lineups. For fans, the abrupt cancellation—after tickets were sold, travel arranged, and stages partially built—demonstrates how external factors, from weather to ownership disputes, can disrupt major events with little notice. The financial and logistical ripple effects for promoters, local businesses, and ticketholders in the New England area are significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Ed Sheeran’s Gillette Stadium concerts cancelled?
The concerts were cancelled due to a severe weather forecast predicting heavy rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Stadium management and public safety officials made the decision prioritizing the safety of fans, staff, and crew.
How will ticket refunds be processed?
Refunds are available at the point of purchase. According to the Kraft Group representative, Ticketmaster purchasers will receive automatic refunds.
What was the controversy involving Macklemore and Robert Kraft?
Robert Kraft barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium as part of Ed Sheeran’s “Loop Tour” over the rapper’s pro-Palestine comments. Kraft stated the venue does not provide a platform for “hate speech” and cited a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.” Macklemore claimed Kraft pressured other stadium owners to issue an ultimatum to Sheeran: drop Macklemore or lose access to their venues.
