Ed Sheeran's US tour and the fight over Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' call

Active · last development Sep 30: “Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour ‘Sold Out Immediately,’ Rapper Says”

Ed Sheeran's 2026 US stadium tour was thrown into turmoil in September after his opening act, Macklemore, called for a "Free Palestine" and accused Israel of genocide at a New Jersey show and was then dropped from the tour.[1][2] Sheeran's other supporting acts quit, Sheeran called the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable," and Macklemore, Sheeran and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged millions of dollars for Palestinian aid.[3][4][5]

Photo from MyStateline, with Ed Sheeran shows at Robert Kraft’s stadium canceled due to bad weather (Sep 25), the story with the most independent sources this week.
What this arc covers

The September 2026 controversy over Ed Sheeran's US stadium tour: Macklemore's 'Free Palestine' call while opening for him, Macklemore's removal from the tour and the withdrawal of the other supporting acts, the donations Macklemore, Sheeran and Patriots owner Robert Kraft pledged for Palestinian aid, Sheeran's statement on Gaza, the backlash he faced, and Macklemore's Free Palestine Tour.

Earliest story we hold Sep 6, 2026 · 21 stories · 107 independent sources (counted once each) · 24 days

Part ofPalestineIsraelGaza StripHamasNew Jersey

Background

At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in early September 2026, Macklemore, opening for Ed Sheeran, called for a "Free Palestine," accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and performed his protest song "Hind's Hall." Jewish and Israeli advocacy groups objected.[1] The singer Pink faced a backlash of her own for resharing a call to drop him from the tour,[6] and Macklemore's 10 scheduled dates were cut to two.[2]

After he was dropped, all of Sheeran's other supporting acts withdrew in solidarity,[3] among them the singer Rowe, who accused billionaires of using their power to silence those speaking out about Gaza.[7] Macklemore said he would give his $1 million in net earnings from the tour to six Palestinian aid groups and challenged Kraft to match it. Kraft said Sheeran had asked him to match a $2 million donation,[5] and he pledged $2 million.[8]

When Sheeran resumed the tour in Philadelphia, he apologized to fans and said the October 7 attacks were horrific and the situation in Gaza "catastrophic and unjustifiable," as protesters gathered outside.[4][9] Resale prices for his shows fell,[10] he lost nearly half a million Instagram followers,[11] and his concerts at Kraft's Gillette Stadium were canceled because of a nor'easter.[12] Macklemore announced a Free Palestine Tour with proceeds going to Palestinian aid groups,[13] and said its three shows sold out immediately.[14]

Supporting stories (14)
  1. Macklemore defends ‘Free Palestine’ call after Ed Sheeran concert backlash
  2. Ed Sheeran tour kicks off in Philadelphia with openers unknown
  3. Ed Sheeran is set to return to stage for 1st time since Macklemore was cut and other acts withdrew
  4. Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens concert
  5. Macklemore, Ed Sheeran ask Robert Kraft to donate to Palestinian humanitarian aid
  6. Pink hits back amid backlash for criticizing Macklemore’s anti-Israel concert rant
  7. Ed Sheeran just broke his silence
  8. Patriots owner pledges $2M to Palestinian region at Sheeran's request
  9. What Ed Sheeran told fans before playing a single song in Philadelphia
  10. Ed Sheeran Ticket Prices Plunge After Macklemore Backlash
  11. Ed Sheeran loses nearly half a million followers on Instagram
  12. Ed Sheeran shows at Robert Kraft’s stadium canceled due to bad weather
  13. Macklemore announces Free Palestine Tour
  14. Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour ‘Sold Out Immediately,’ Rapper Says

Overview updated Oct 1, 2026

Where it standsnewest first · each bar runs left to right by leaning

Sep 30– Oct 1Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour ‘Sold Out Immediately,’ Rapper Says4 articles · 4 independent sources
1 left, 1 center, 0 right
Sep 27– 28Kathy Griffin says Ed Sheeran should’ve told Robert Kraft to ‘go f–k yourself’ over Macklemore3 articles · 3 independent sources
0 left, 0 center, 2 right
Sep 25– 26Ed Sheeran shows at Robert Kraft’s stadium canceled due to bad weather53 articles · 43 independent sources
6 left, 14 center, 4 right

Key momentsthe most covered; every story is below

  1. Sep 14 – 19Ed Sheeran tour kicks off in Philadelphia with openers unknown230 articles · 85 independent sources
    1. Sep 14Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran US tour after pro-Palestinian remarks
    2. Sep 15Ed Sheeran's tour in trouble after opening acts drop out in solidarity with rapper Macklemore
    3. Sep 19Only center coverage:Ed Sheeran set for Philadelphia show after opening acts withdraw
  2. Sep 16 – 18Macklemore, Ed Sheeran ask Robert Kraft to donate to Palestinian humanitarian aid42 articles · 26 independent sources
    1. Sep 16Macklemore Invites Robert Kraft To Match $1 Million Donation To Palestinians
    2. Sep 17Macklemore, Robert Kraft pledge millions in aid amid Ed Sheeran tour controversy
  3. Sep 19 – 20Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens concert55 articles · 36 independent sources
  4. Sep 23 – 25Macklemore announces Free Palestine Tour33 articles · 26 independent sources
    1. Sep 23Only center coverage:Macklemore Announces ‘Free Palestine’ Tour
    2. Sep 24Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after Ed Sheeran controversy
  5. Sep 25 – 26Ed Sheeran shows at Robert Kraft’s stadium canceled due to bad weather53 articles · 43 independent sources

Who covered it, over timeindependent sources per week, by side

Aug 31Sep 7Sep 14Sep 21Sep 28

LeftCenterRight

Point at or tap a week to see its count by side.

Every week as a table
Week ofLeftCenterRightArticles
Aug 31, 20261023
Sep 7, 20261225
Sep 14, 2026254820384
Sep 21, 2026819899
Sep 28, 20261114

26% left · 54% center · 20% right of 107 independent sources among the outlets we track, across 21 stories.

Every storyoldest first

  1. September 2026

    Sep 6– 8Macklemore defends ‘Free Palestine’ call after Ed Sheeran concert backlash11 articles · 8 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 2 right
  2. Sep 11– 13Pink hits back amid backlash for criticizing Macklemore’s anti-Israel concert rant6 articles · 6 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 2 right
  3. Sep 14– 19Ed Sheeran tour kicks off in Philadelphia with openers unknown230 articles · 85 independent sources
    17 left, 33 center, 13 right
  4. Sep 14Macklemore speaks out after being abruptly dropped from 'friend' Ed Sheeran's tour: 'I consider him a brother'5 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 0 right
  5. Sep 14– 21Ed Sheeran breaks his silence after Macklemore controversy throws tour into chaos32 articles · 22 independent sources
    2 left, 8 center, 6 right
  6. Sep 14NFL owner reacts to Macklemore’s accusation with statement5 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 0 right
  7. Sep 15Ed Sheeran just broke his silence8 articles · 8 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 0 right
  8. Sep 15– 19Ed Sheeran is set to return to stage for 1st time since Macklemore was cut and other acts withdrew13 articles · 11 independent sources
    4 left, 3 center, 1 right
  9. Sep 16– 18Macklemore, Ed Sheeran ask Robert Kraft to donate to Palestinian humanitarian aid42 articles · 26 independent sources
    4 left, 7 center, 6 right
  10. Sep 16– 19Ed Sheeran Ticket Prices Plunge After Macklemore Backlash5 articles · 4 independent sources
    2 left, 1 center, 1 right
  11. Sep 16Ed Sheeran stadium drama turns to donations and humanitarian cooperation8 articles · 8 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 0 right
  12. Sep 17– 19YouTube star Ms Rachel to match Macklemore’s $1m Palestine aid donation7 articles · 7 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 4 right
  13. Sep 17– 18Patriots owner pledges $2M to Palestinian region at Sheeran's request7 articles · 1 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 1 right
  14. Sep 19– 20For Palestinian aid groups, Macklemore's $1M pledge brings relief and attention to ongoing suffering7 articles · 7 independent sources
    0 left, 1 center, 1 right
  15. Sep 19– 20Ed Sheeran says situation in Gaza is 'catastrophic and unjustifiable' as he opens concert55 articles · 36 independent sources
    4 left, 9 center, 7 right
  16. Sep 20What Ed Sheeran told fans before playing a single song in Philadelphia5 articles · 5 independent sources
    1 left, 0 center, 0 right
  17. Sep 23– 25Macklemore announces Free Palestine Tour33 articles · 26 independent sources
    2 left, 8 center, 3 right
  18. Sep 24– 25Ed Sheeran loses nearly half a million followers on Instagram19 articles · 7 independent sources
    0 left, 3 center, 1 right
  19. Sep 25– 26Ed Sheeran shows at Robert Kraft’s stadium canceled due to bad weather53 articles · 43 independent sources
    6 left, 14 center, 4 right
  20. Sep 27– 28Kathy Griffin says Ed Sheeran should’ve told Robert Kraft to ‘go f–k yourself’ over Macklemore3 articles · 3 independent sources
    0 left, 0 center, 2 right
  21. Sep 30– Oct 1Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour ‘Sold Out Immediately,’ Rapper Says4 articles · 4 independent sources
    1 left, 1 center, 0 right