Concerts Canceled as Nor'easter Threatens Massachusetts
Ed Sheeran's two scheduled concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have been canceled due to a severe nor'easter bearing down on New England, tour promoter Messina Touring announced Friday. The shows were set for Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m.
"Due to the severe weather warnings in place in Boston and across New England throughout the weekend and following consultation with local officials, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ed Sheeran concerts at Gillette Stadium," the promoter said in a statement. "The decision was made with the safety of fans, staff and everyone involved in the shows as the top priority."
Crews were seen dismantling the stage Friday morning as the storm approached. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase, and Ticketmaster will automatically refund those who bought tickets through the platform.
Storm Forecast and Safety Concerns
The nor'easter is expected to bring damaging winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rain to much of the East Coast. The National Weather Service warned that wind gusts could reach 60 to 65 mph on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket on Friday night, with 50 to 55 mph gusts around Boston. In Foxboro, gusts were projected between 40 and 55 mph, peaking Friday night through Saturday night. Weather warnings for high winds remain in effect until early Sunday, and officials have urged drivers to minimize travel.
Venue and Tour Disruptions
The cancellation adds to a turbulent week for Sheeran's "Loop" tour. Opening act Macklemore was removed from the trek earlier this month after saying "Free Palestine" onstage during a Sept. 5 concert in New Jersey. Other supporting acts—Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish folk band Beoga—withdrew in solidarity.
Gillette Stadium is owned by Robert Kraft, who also owns the New England Patriots. Kraft called Sheeran to say Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at the venue, citing the rapper's "broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery." Sheeran has said he was not responsible for cutting Macklemore, blaming the tour promoter. He performed solo in Philadelphia last weekend and told fans he "never wanted to be an activist musician," while calling the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable."
Concert start times had already been pushed back to 8:30 p.m. due to the lineup changes, with parking lots opening at 4:30 p.m. and gates at 6:30 p.m. The MBTA had adjusted special Commuter Rail service to Foxboro accordingly, but those trains will no longer run for the canceled shows.
Refunds and Ticketing
Ticket prices had been falling before the cancellation, and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell had sent a demand letter to Ticketmaster regarding refunds. Following the cancellation, the promoter confirmed that refunds are available at the point of purchase, with automatic refunds for Ticketmaster buyers.
What This Means for Fans
Ticketholders who purchased through Ticketmaster will receive automatic refunds, while those who bought through other channels should contact their point of purchase. The cancellation leaves many fans scrambling to adjust travel plans, especially those who had booked flights or hotels in the Boston area.
Broader Implications for Touring and Weather Resilience
The cancellation highlights the growing challenge of staging large outdoor events amid increasingly unpredictable and severe weather. Just as festivals like Oceans Calling have canceled events due to nor'easters and beach erosion, major stadium tours are now forced to weigh safety against logistical and financial fallout.
For Sheeran, the canceled shows represent both a financial hit and a reputational test. The tour has already been overshadowed by the Macklemore controversy, and the weather cancellation may further complicate his U.S. run. His next scheduled concert is in Atlanta on Oct. 3.
A Season of Storms
Meteorologists note that nor'easters are common in autumn, but the intensity of this system—and its timing—underscores the need for promoters to have robust contingency plans. As climate patterns shift, artists and venues may need to build more flexibility into touring schedules, including weather insurance and alternate dates.
For now, Sheeran's Massachusetts fans are left with refunds and a stormy weekend ahead. The promoter has not announced rescheduled dates, and it remains unclear whether the shows will be made up.
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