Ed Sheeran is scheduled to take the stage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. It is his first LOOP Tour date since opener Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. shows. As of Saturday morning, NBC10 Philadelphia reporting with the Associated Press said Ticketmaster listed Sheeran as the only performer for the night after supporting acts withdrew.
A protest organized by pro-Palestinian groups was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. near the South Philadelphia sports complex, FOX 29 Philadelphia reported. Philadelphia police and SEPTA said they were adding staffing and monitoring for both the demonstration and the stadium crowd.
This is a music-tour update, not a crime story and not a celebrity-relationship piece. Here is what is confirmed about why the Philly show looks different, what Sheeran has said, and what fans should expect tonight.
TL;DR
- Sheeran’s Philly LOOP Tour concert is Saturday, Sept. 19, at Lincoln Financial Field: lots open 3:00 p.m., doors 6:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m. ET, per FOX 29.
- Macklemore was dropped as an opener after saying “Free Palestine” onstage at a Sept. 5 New Jersey show. Sheeran has said the tour promoter made the call after venue pressure.
- Supporting acts then withdrew. As of Saturday morning, Philly was listed with Sheeran as the sole announced act.
- A protest is planned for 4:30 p.m. near the stadium complex. Police and SEPTA say they are coordinating a larger presence.
- Tickets were still on sale Saturday, with some listed around $54, according to NBC10/AP.
What Is Happening in Philadelphia Tonight?
Lincoln Financial Field is hosting Sheeran’s LOOP Tour stop. FOX 29 lists parking lots opening at 3:00 p.m., doors at 6:00 p.m., and the concert at 8:00 p.m.
The same report says a protest tied to Macklemore’s removal is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the energy station area between the South Philly sports venues. Philadelphia police told local outlets they are working with the venue and will have Civil Affairs officers present for First Amendment activity. SEPTA said it is adding Broad Street Line express service and extra transit police at NRG Station.
That combination (a stadium headliner night plus a planned afternoon protest) is why the date is trending in local and national entertainment search today.
Why Was Macklemore Dropped From the LOOP Tour?
According to NBC10/AP, Macklemore was removed after shouting “Free Palestine” during a Sept. 5 show in New Jersey.
Sheeran posted a Tuesday statement saying he did not make the removal decision. He said venue operators pushed for the change and that the tour promoter was ultimately responsible. Reporting has tied New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s stadium interests to pressure around an upcoming date on the routing.
Macklemore later said on Instagram that a week of talks with Sheeran ended in “fundamental disagreement,” and that he was dropped from the remaining lineup.
Sheeran’s statement also said he spent the week trying to “build a bridge” with venues, that he would not turn his concerts into a forum on the war in Gaza, and that he would not abandon fans or the crew who depend on the tour for income. Those are his words. They are not an independent finding about the conflict.
Who Else Left the Tour?
After Sheeran’s Tuesday statement, multiple supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore. NBC10/AP specifically notes Finneas announcing he would exit upcoming dates and posting that artists “must not be silenced when they speak up for the oppressed.”
BBC and other outlets have also reported withdrawals by Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga. Treat each exit as that artist’s stated decision. Do not invent a single unified manifesto beyond what they posted.
As of Saturday morning in Philadelphia, Ticketmaster still showed Sheeran alone for the Linc date, per NBC10/AP. No replacement openers had been publicly announced.
What Are Fans and Local Officials Saying?
NBC10 interviewed ticket holders who said they were trying to resell seats because of the controversy. Ticketmaster’s general rule, as reported there, is that refunds usually require organizer approval; otherwise sales are final.
Police messaging to local TV has focused on crowd safety for both concertgoers and protesters, not on endorsing either side’s politics. SEPTA’s public notes are about capacity and station staffing.
For readers tracking other 2026 live music calendars, Bamfuzzle’s confirmed tours for 2026 and 2027 roundup covers routing that is locked versus still rumored. Tonight’s Philly date is locked; the opener situation is what changed.
What Is Confirmed vs. Still Moving
Confirmed for Sept. 19:
- Sheeran is billed at Lincoln Financial Field at 8:00 p.m.
- Macklemore is not on the remaining U.S. LOOP dates after the Sept. 5 comments and subsequent removal.
- Supporting acts withdrew after the removal became public.
- A 4:30 p.m. protest is planned near the complex.
- Police and SEPTA say they are scaling presence accordingly.
Still fluid as of Saturday:
- Whether any last-minute opener is added.
- How long Sheeran’s set runs without the usual support package.
- How large the protest is and whether it affects ingress.
- Whether later LOOP cities repeat the same solo-headliner pattern.
If you are going, use the venue’s bag and entry rules, build extra time for South Philly traffic and SEPTA crowding, and treat social posts from the lot as unverified until local outlets confirm them.
FAQ
Is Ed Sheeran still playing Philadelphia on Sept. 19?
Yes. Local reports and the venue schedule put the LOOP Tour show at Lincoln Financial Field at 8:00 p.m. Saturday.
Will Macklemore perform?
No. He was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates after the Sept. 5 New Jersey show comments.
Are there opening acts tonight?
As of Saturday morning, Ticketmaster listed Sheeran only, according to NBC10/AP. That can change if the promoter adds a name; check the listing before you leave.
Is there a protest?
Yes. FOX 29 and NBC10 report a 4:30 p.m. demonstration planned near the sports complex. Police say Civil Affairs will be present.
Did Ed Sheeran say he fired Macklemore?
Sheeran said the promoter made the decision after venue pressure, and that he tried to negotiate with venues during the week. Macklemore has described the end of those talks as a fundamental disagreement.
Sources
- NBC10 Philadelphia / Associated Press, Marcela Camargo and Tassanee Vejpongsa (updated Sept. 19, 2026): first show since the drop; Ticketmaster solo billing; Sept. 5 comments; Kraft/venue pressure context; Finneas withdrawal quote; fan ticket reaction; police note on expected protest.
- FOX 29 Philadelphia, Dylan Scott (Sept. 18, 2026): 3:00/6:00/8:00 p.m. timing; 4:30 p.m. protest location; PPD and SEPTA staffing plans.
- Ed Sheeran Tuesday Instagram statement, as summarized in the AP/NBC10 reporting: promoter responsibility claim; venue talks; refusal to center Gaza politics in the show; commitment to fans and crew.
