Ed Sheeran Concerts Canceled Due to Severe Weather Amid Macklemore Fallout

General32 sourcesSep 26, 2026

SplitFactual rigor 47/100

The Story

Ed Sheeran's weekend concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, were canceled due to severe weather warnings across New England.

The Friday and Saturday shows were axed following consultation with local officials, with Messina Touring Group stating fan and staff safety was the top priority. This cancellation comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore's removal from Sheeran's tour. Macklemore was dropped as Sheeran's opening act after he shouted "Free Palestine" and showed Gaza footage from the stage at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, cited Macklemore's performance and his broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery as reasons for barring him from the venue. Macklemore subsequently blamed Kraft for orchestrating his removal and criticized Sheeran's "I don’t take sides" stance, writing, "There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed."

Macklemore announced a "Free Palestine" tour for next month. Sheeran has performed since the controversy began and issued a tearful apology to fans last weekend in Philadelphia. He has reportedly lost nearly half a million Instagram followers amid the drama. Some concertgoers warned artists that making political statements could alienate half of their audience.

What they agree on

Ed Sheeran's weekend concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, were canceled.
The cancellation was officially attributed to severe weather warnings and a forecasted nor'easter in New England.
The cancellation occurred amid an ongoing controversy involving rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from Sheeran's tour.
Macklemore's removal followed his "Free Palestine" remarks and showing Gaza footage during a performance at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, cited Macklemore's pro-Palestine statements and "antisemitic rhetoric" as reasons for barring him.

Where they split

Some outlets, like The Telegraph India and Borneo Bulletin, lead with the weather as the primary reason for cancellation, while others, such as CNN and The Daily Mail, explicitly link the cancellation to both weather and the Macklemore controversy in their headlines.
The Telegraph India and News.com.au mention Macklemore announcing a "Free Palestine" tour as a recent development, a detail not present in all other reports about the concert cancellation.
The Daily Wire and The Hill specifically report on Ed Sheeran losing nearly half a million Instagram followers and fan warnings about political views, which is not a focus in all other articles.