Ed Sheeran Gillette Stadium Concerts Canceled Due to Nor’easter

Ed Sheeran’s scheduled concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have been canceled as a powerful nor’easter is expected to bring dangerous winds and severe weather conditions across New England.

Sheeran had been scheduled to perform at Gillette Stadium on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, as part of his “LOOP Tour.” The shows were originally scheduled for 8 p.m., but severe weather concerns ultimately led organizers to cancel both performances.

The cancellation was announced by tour promoter Messina Touring after consultations with local officials.

“Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend,” the promoter said, the concerts were canceled with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows identified as the priority.

Nor’easter Forces Gillette Stadium Cancellation

The decision came as the region prepared for a nor’easter expected to produce damaging winds, heavy rain and difficult travel conditions.

In the Foxborough area, wind gusts were forecast to reach between 40 and 55 mph, with the strongest winds expected Friday night into Saturday night. Those conditions created additional safety concerns for a large outdoor stadium event involving thousands of concertgoers, employees and production workers.

CBS Boston reported that crews were already dismantling the concert stage Friday morning as the weather threat increased.

The cancellation also came just days after Gillette Stadium had listed Sheeran’s two performances for September 25 and 26. The venue had promoted the concerts as Sheeran’s return to the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, marking his first appearances there since 2023.

Fans Will Receive Refunds

Concertgoers who purchased tickets for the canceled Gillette Stadium shows will be eligible for refunds.

The tour promoter said refunds will be issued through the original point of purchase. Ticketmaster customers are expected to receive automatic refunds, meaning they do not need to purchase replacement tickets or take additional action through the ticketing platform.

The refund announcement follows an earlier dispute involving ticket holders who wanted their money back after significant changes to the concert lineup.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell said her office had received complaints from nearly 200 consumers who were having difficulty obtaining refunds from Ticketmaster after changes to the shows. Her office subsequently demanded that consumers be given a clear way to receive their money back.

With the concerts now canceled because of the weather, the refund process applies to all tickets for the affected Gillette Stadium performances.

Macklemore Controversy Had Already Changed the Shows

The cancellation came after the concerts had already been surrounded by controversy over the lineup.

Macklemore was originally scheduled to open both Gillette Stadium performances. However, the rapper was removed from Sheeran’s “LOOP Tour” after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a September concert in New Jersey.

The decision triggered additional changes to the tour. Other supporting performers subsequently withdrew, leaving Sheeran to perform without the originally announced opening acts.

Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft was also involved in the controversy. CBS Boston reported that Kraft contacted Sheeran and said Macklemore would not be permitted to perform at the stadium, citing what Kraft described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric. Macklemore disputed the characterization and later publicly criticized Kraft’s involvement.

The lineup changes had already created uncertainty among ticket holders before the weather-related cancellation.

Sheeran Addressed Gaza During Philadelphia Performance

The controversy surrounding Macklemore also placed Sheeran’s own comments about the conflict in Gaza under greater attention.

During a performance in Philadelphia the previous weekend, Sheeran described the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” At the same time, he said he wanted his concerts to focus on humanity rather than politics.

The comments came as the “LOOP Tour” faced increasing attention over the removal of Macklemore and the subsequent withdrawal of other performers.

Despite those developments, the immediate reason given for canceling the Gillette Stadium concerts was the severe weather forecast and the safety concerns associated with the approaching nor’easter.

Stage Crews Begin Dismantling Production

The cancellation meant that the elaborate production prepared for Sheeran’s two-night Gillette Stadium run would not be used as originally planned.

CBS Boston’s helicopter footage showed crews taking down the stage Friday morning as the weather threat intensified. The timing underscored how quickly the situation changed from preparing for two major stadium concerts to dismantling the production.

Large outdoor concerts require extensive infrastructure, including stages, lighting, sound systems and equipment used by performers and production crews. Strong winds can create additional risks for temporary structures and personnel, making weather conditions an important factor in event-safety decisions.

Sheeran’s Next Scheduled Concert

Following the canceled Gillette Stadium shows, Sheeran’s next scheduled concert is in Atlanta on October 3, according to CBS Boston’s report.

There has been no indication in the cancellation announcement that the Gillette Stadium concerts will be rescheduled.

For fans who planned to attend the Massachusetts performances, the immediate priority is therefore the refund process rather than a replacement date.