Sheeran fans cheer as Philly tickets plunge 50% after Macklemore exits

Ticket prices for Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Saturday show in Philadelphia have fallen by at least half, . The price drop followed the removal of opening act Macklemore after his comments supporting Palestine during a previous performance.

The change comes amid a broader shift in the tour’s lineup as other opening acts withdrew in solidarity.

TickPick listed the get‑in ticket for Sheeran’s September 19 show at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at about $100 on Tuesday, September 15. By the time of publication, the same source reported prices as low as $42, marking a drop of roughly 50 percent.

In addition to the lower prices, the number of tickets made available increased by 54 percent from Tuesday morning to Friday, September 18.

Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s Loop Tour after he expressed unapologetic support for the Palestinian people during an opening act at MetLife Stadium. The rapper’s remarks came in response to the October 7, 2023 attacks and amid Israel’s military campaign that has led to the death of more than 70,000 Palestinian civilians, .

Following Macklemore’s departure, remaining opening acts withdrew in solidarity with the rapper and the Palestinian cause.

## Background & Context

Sheeran, 35, claimed . He said he had spoken with the venues all week to try and build a bridge. Sheeran clarified that the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the promoter, not him.

, other opening acts for the tour also dropped out after Macklemore’s removal. Billie Eilish’s brother Finneas announced his withdrawal on social media, stating he stood with Palestine and its people. Irish singer Aaron Rowe also posted a statement about his decision, .

The broader conflict that sparked Macklemore’s comments involves Israel’s campaign in Gaza and has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian civilian deaths, including more than 20,000 children, . Sheeran’s announcement about the tour changes came as venues expressed concern about Macklemore’s stance.

The removal of opening acts has left Sheeran’s show with no pre‑concert performances.

## What Happened

TickPick data showed the get‑in price for the Philadelphia show fell from about $100 on September 15 to as low as $42 by the time of publication. This represents a drop of at least 50 percent in ticket cost. The number of tickets made available increased by 54 percent from Tuesday morning to Friday, September 18.

In addition to the lower prices, Ticketmaster announced the concert’s start time would shift to 8:00 p.m. ET. The new start time is three hours later than originally scheduled.

The change comes after the removal of all opening acts, leaving Sheeran as the sole performer.

The revised schedule means that fans who had purchased tickets for a show with opening acts now face a different concert experience. Ticket availability and pricing adjustments reflect the tour’s new structure. The changes were reported in the days following Macklemore’s removal.

## Analysis & Next Steps

Sheeran stated that the promoter, not he, decided to drop Macklemore. He added that his contract was with the promoter, not with Sheeran. This clarification came after venues expressed concerns about Macklemore’s comments.

The withdrawal of Finneas and Aaron Rowe highlights a broader trend among artists taking a stand. Their statements emphasized solidarity with Palestine and opposition to what they view as Israeli genocide. The tour now proceeds without any opening acts.

Ticket prices dropping by half and increased availability may help maintain fan interest despite the lineup changes. Fans now have a lower entry price and more seats at the venue. Ticketmaster and TickPick continue to monitor demand for the September 19 concert.

The Philadelphia show on September 19 remains scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, with no pre‑concert performances and a revised ticket structure. Fans can still purchase tickets at the reduced prices available through Ticketmaster and TickPick.