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Ed Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts as nor'easter hits

Ed Sheeran cancels Gillette Stadium concerts as nor'easter hits

Built World Boston, MA local

Nor'easter cancels both shows; refunds roll out as Loop Tour controversy continues

September 25th, 2026: Gillette Stadium concerts cancelled due to nor'easter

Overview

Updated Yesterday

Ed Sheeran cancelled both Gillette Stadium concerts set for September 25-26 as a nor'easter moved into New England, with the National Weather Service forecasting gusts of 50 to 55 mph around Boston. Refunds are being processed automatically for Ticketmaster buyers and at the point of purchase for everyone else.

The cancellations capped three weeks of disruption for Sheeran's Loop Tour. The tour lost opening act Macklemore over pro-Palestinian remarks, then saw other acts and band members quit in solidarity. Kraft and Sheeran each agreed to donate $2 million after Macklemore pledged $1 million to Gaza relief.

Why it matters

For fans it means refunds and a missed show; for Sheeran, it adds to a tour already struggling with political fallout.

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Key Indicators

2
Concerts cancelled
Both Gillette Stadium shows called off due to storm.
55 mph
Peak wind gust forecast around Boston
National Weather Service forecast; 60-65 mph expected on Cape Cod.
36
Days since Macklemore incident
Tour has faced disruptions since September 5.
$2M
Kraft and Sheeran donation each
Both agreed to donate after Macklemore pledged $1 million to Gaza relief.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

8 events Latest: September 25th, 2026 · 2 weeks ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Gillette Stadium concerts cancelled due to nor'easter

    Latest Weather Event

    Messina Touring cancels both shows citing severe weather warnings and safety.

  2. Kraft and Sheeran agree to donate $2 million each

    Statement

    A Kraft spokesperson said the billionaire and Sheeran each agreed to donate $2 million after Macklemore pledged $1 million to Gaza relief. The money's destination hasn't been specified.

  3. Massachusetts attorney general presses Ticketmaster on refunds

    Regulatory

    Attorney General Andrea Campbell sent a demand letter to Ticketmaster, which then made refunds available for the Gillette shows.

  4. Resale prices for Gillette shows drop

    Market Reaction

    TicketData figures showed the cheapest seats for the two Gillette dates had fallen 14% and 15% over three days, listing at about $78 and $89 before the cancellation.

  5. Sheeran apologizes on stage in Philadelphia

    Statement

    Sheeran calls Gaza situation 'catastrophic' and apologizes for handling of controversy at a Saturday show.

  6. Support acts and band members quit in solidarity

    Fallout

    Several opening acts depart the tour after Sheeran's Sept. 15 social media post.

  7. Macklemore announces removal from Loop Tour

    Decision

    The rapper says on Instagram he was dropped from Sheeran's remaining US tour dates after pro-Palestinian remarks in New Jersey.

  8. Macklemore makes pro-Palestinian remarks

    Controversy

    Rapper shouted 'Free Palestine' during a show in New Jersey.

Scenarios

1

Sheeran completes remaining Loop Tour dates without further incidents

Likely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Tour promoters and industry analysts

After the storm passes, Sheeran resumes the tour with no further cancellations. The Macklemore controversy cools as new supporting acts are booked. All announced dates through the end of the year happen as scheduled.

2

Controversy reignites, more acts quit or dates cancelled

Possible Resolves by Oct 31, 2026

Discussed by: Music media, fans on social media

The Macklemore dispute continues to roil the tour. Additional acts withdraw, ticket sales slump, or Sheeran cancels a show due to protest pressure. The storm cancellations become a minor footnote compared to the internal turmoil.

3

Sheeran cancels the remainder of the tour entirely

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Industry observers, possible if financial losses mount

The combination of lost revenue from cancellations and ongoing reputational damage leads Sheeran to pull the plug on the tour. He announces an indefinite hiatus or shifts to smaller venues.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March 2003

Dixie Chicks controversy (2003)

Lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience, 'We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.' The remark sparked a massive backlash; country radio stations pulled their songs, and the group faced death threats.

Then

The group continued touring but saw record sales collapse and were dropped from playlists.

Now

The controversy reshaped their careers, pushing them into more overt political statements and eventually a hiatus.

Why this matters now

Like Sheeran, the Dixie Chicks faced punishment from powerful industry figures for a political remark. The episode shows how quickly public and corporate pressure can escalate and how artists navigate the fallout.

August 2016 – 2017

NFL anthem protests and owner pressure (2016-2017)

Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality. Team owners, including New England's Robert Kraft, pressured players to stand; in 2017 Kraft said he wanted players to 'stand proudly' during the anthem.

Then

Kaepernick was effectively blackballed from the league, and owners enacted policies restricting on-field protest.

Now

The protests became a national flashpoint, sparking debates about free speech, patriotism, and the power of owners over player expression.

Why this matters now

Kraft's role in Macklemore's removal is a direct echo of his stance on anthem protests, showing his willingness to enforce political boundaries at his venue. The parallel highlights the influence stadium owners wield over performers.

Sources

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