Ed Sheeran’s weekend concerts scheduled for Gillette Stadium have been canceled due to hazardous weather conditions. Officials at the Robert Kraft-owned venue confirmed the decision on Friday, noting that the move follows consultation with local authorities, tour management, and event promoters. The venue stated that the safety of fans, staff, and everyone involved in the production remains their top priority, and confirmed that ticket holders are entitled to refunds.
The event organizers stated they were following guidance from the National Weather Service, citing dangerous conditions forecast for the Boston area and across New England throughout the weekend. This cancellation is part of a wider wave of disruptions across the East Coast, as an intensifying early-season nor’easter impacts the region. Other major events, including the Oceans Calling festival in Ocean City, Maryland, and the Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park, were also called off due to expected high winds, flooding, and tidal surges. Organizers of the Global Citizen event noted this marked the first cancellation in their 14-year history. Additionally, the All Things Go Festival in Forest Hills, New York, was removed from the schedule. Tides, floods and high winds had prevented the setup of the three-day music festival.
Beyond the weather-related disruptions, the Gillette Stadium concerts have been overshadowed by ongoing controversy surrounding the artist’s tour. Last week, it was revealed that singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran dropped his opening act, Macklemore, from the remaining U.S. tour dates. Macklemore alleged that Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, pressured Sheeran and other stadium owners to remove him due to his public onstage support for Palestine.
Macklemore claimed via Instagram that he was presented with an ultimatum: either he be removed from the tour, or Sheeran would be barred from performing at various venues. In response, Kraft acknowledged his intention to block the performer from his stadium. He cited Macklemore’s recent actions, specific material shared during Sheeran’s New Jersey shows, and what he described as a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery as the justification for his decision.
The dispute has sparked significant friction within the tour, as several opening acts and members of the backing band reportedly resigned in solidarity with Macklemore. While Sheeran opened his performance in Philadelphia last Saturday with an apology for his “mistakes,” the controversy continues to impact the tour’s trajectory. The cancellation at Gillette Stadium remains the latest complication for the artist during this period of public scrutiny regarding free speech and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Emma Tucker, Gloria Pazmino, Maria Sole Campinoti, and Danny Freeman contributed to this report.
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