Ed Sheeran Tour Faced Stadium Revolt Before Macklemore Was Dropped From Lineup

Ed Sheeran's US Loop Tour was quietly threatened with a stadium pullout before Macklemore was removed from the bill, with several venues telling promoter Messina Touring Group they would not host the shows if the rapper stayed on the line-up.

Sheeran said on Tuesday that removing Macklemore was 'the promoter's decision, not mine'. Macklemore later claimed Sheeran told him New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had pressured stadium operators.

Venue Pressure Threatened Remaining Tour Dates

Macklemore said Sheeran told him last week that Kraft had called about the Gillette Stadium concerts in Massachusetts. According to Macklemore, Kraft said the venue would not allow him to perform there.

Macklemore also alleged that Kraft contacted other stadium owners. He claimed those venues then warned they would not host Sheeran if Macklemore remained on the bill.

Messina Touring Group separately confirmed that several venues objected to Macklemore's participation. The promoter said some stadiums refused to stage concerts with him on the line-up.

That statement confirms that many venues applied pressure. It does not independently establish Macklemore's claim that Kraft organised a coordinated effort.

Among the venues that objected are Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. They also named Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The reports also included Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Gillette Stadium scheduled Sheeran for concerts on 25 and 26 September.

Macklemore had eight appearances scheduled across Sheeran's final 10 US concerts. The venue objections therefore threatened much of the remaining tour schedule.

Kraft Defends Gillette Stadium Decision

Kraft defended Gillette Stadium's decision to remove Macklemore from the two September shows. He said allowing the rapper to perform would 'cross that line'.

Kraft cited Macklemore's recent actions and material shown during the New Jersey concerts. He also pointed to what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.

Kraft said the decision did not seek to dismiss Palestinian suffering. He also said Gillette Stadium did not intend to prevent support for Palestinians.

Macklemore has rejected claims that his pro-Palestinian stance is antisemitic. During the MetLife Stadium shows, he addressed Jewish audience members directly.

He said criticism of Israel did not amount to criticism of Jewish people. He said his message focused on peace, dignity and equal treatment.

MetLife Performances Faced Backlash

Macklemore opened for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 4 and 5 September. During both shows, he called for a 'Free Palestine'.

He also performed 'Hind's Hall' while stadium screens displayed images from Gaza. The screens also showed footage of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The Israeli-American Council later urged Sheeran and tour organisers to remove Macklemore. The group said the concerts should not serve as a platform for one-sided political messaging.

Sheeran said he respected Macklemore as an artist. He also said he spent the previous week trying to find a solution with those involved in the tour.

He said he could not abandon fans or people working on the concerts. Other support acts also depended on the tour continuing.

Tour Continues Without Macklemore

Macklemore planned to return to the tour in Philadelphia on 19 September. Current event pages for Lincoln Financial Field and Gillette Stadium no longer list him.

Those pages now list Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe as special guests. Neither venue includes Macklemore in its published line-up.

Despite the dispute, Macklemore said he hoped his long friendship with Sheeran would survive. Sheeran's US tour continues through 7 November, ending at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.