According to Rolling Stone, Ed Sheeran’s current concert tour is facing unexpected seat availability and declining ticket prices across multiple cities following a series of opening act withdrawals sparked by venue pressure over political statements on stage.
Tour Controversy Triggers Open Seats and Discounts
Ed Sheeran’s concert tour kicked off in Glendale, Arizona, and has made stops across the United States and Canada before heading toward its final stateside dates, according to Rolling Stone. However, controversy erupted when Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, initiated a pressure campaign to remove opening act Macklemore over pro-Palestine views expressed from the stage, as reported by Rolling Stone. In response, supporting acts including Finneas and Lukas Graham withdrew from the tour in support of Macklemore and free speech, according to the same report.
While Sheeran’s previous Mathematics Tour sold out multiple venues and became one of the most-attended tours in history, his current outing is experiencing soft demand. Ticketmaster currently shows thousands of available seats for remaining dates, including the Gillette Stadium concert scheduled for September 25, according to Rolling Stone. Primary tickets start at $112 for upper-level seats in Foxborough and drop to $87 for the final show in Tampa, Florida.
Resale Markets Push Ticket Prices Below Face Value
Secondary ticket marketplaces are offering steep discounts for fans looking to attend the remaining tour dates. Resellers are listing tickets below face value on platforms like SeatGeek, where seats for the Gillette Stadium shows start at $78—representing a 30 percent discount—while Indianapolis date tickets start at $66, according to Rolling Stone reporting. StubHub lists section 200 seats starting at $65 for the Philadelphia concert, and Vivid Seats offers Atlanta tickets starting at $78.
Artist and Promoter Response
Ed Sheeran addressed the removal of Macklemore in a statement published on Instagram, placing the blame on the promoter, Messina Touring Group, which he stated was under pressure from venues. “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution, and unfortunately, was unable to do so,” Sheeran wrote, according to Rolling Stone. “I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”
Did You Know?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Ed Sheeran ticket prices dropping?
Prices have fallen on primary and secondary ticketing platforms due to a combination of lower overall demand compared to previous tours and fan backlash following the removal of opening act Macklemore, according to Rolling Stone.
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Which opening acts withdrew from the tour?
Finneas and Lukas Graham withdrew from the tour in support of Macklemore and free speech after pressure led to Macklemore’s removal from the lineup, as reported by Rolling Stone.
Where is the tour concluding?
The stateside leg of the tour wraps up on November 7 in Tampa, Florida, according to Rolling Stone.
What are your thoughts on the recent changes to the tour lineup? Let us know in the comments below, and check out our other live music coverage for the latest tour updates and ticketing guides.
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