Sheeran Tour Resale Prices Fall After Macklemore Exit
Sheeran Tour Resale Prices Fall After Macklemore Exit
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Key Points
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TicketData reported that resale prices for the Philadelphia concert fell 24% in a single week, from $126 to $96, while the tourwide decline since Monday was 11%.
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Some fans said Ticketmaster’s resale restrictions were making it difficult to unload tickets; the platform allows event organizers to limit resale or permit it only shortly before a concert.
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The resale weakness was not entirely new: hundreds of tickets remained available for some large stadium dates even before the Macklemore controversy, and some resale listings had fallen below face value.
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Macklemore said he would donate $1 million in tour profits to organizations assisting Palestinians and challenged Robert Kraft to match the donation.
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The New York Post reported that Sheeran’s cheapest remaining U.S. ticket was $56 including fees for the Oct. 3 Atlanta show, while Philadelphia tickets were available for $88 including fees on Vivid Seats.
Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour resale ticket prices have fallen sharply after rapper Macklemore was removed as an opening act following his pro-Palestinian remarks at concerts. TicketData reported that Philadelphia show prices dropped 24% in one week, from $126 to $96 per ticket, while tour-wide resale prices fell 11% since Monday. The controversy has also prompted other scheduled openers—Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga—to withdraw in solidarity with Macklemore.
Sheeran blamed the promoter for the decision, saying venues threatened to cancel if Macklemore remained. Macklemore alleged that billionaire Robert Kraft pressured stadium owners to remove him. Kraft countered that his venue would not host what he called hate speech. Macklemore pledged to donate $1 million from tour profits to Palestinian aid organizations and challenged Kraft to match the gift.
Philadelphia Shows Steepest Price Drop
Philadelphia's concert experienced the most dramatic resale decline. Prices fell from $126 to $96 in just seven days—a 24% drop, TicketData found. The tour-wide resale average dropped 11% during the same period. The New York Post reported that remaining U.S. tickets ranged from $56 in Atlanta to $88 in Philadelphia, both including fees on secondary platforms like Vivid Seats.
Resale Platform Restrictions Limit Seller Options
Some ticket holders blame Ticketmaster's resale controls for their inability to offload tickets. The platform allows event organizers to restrict resales entirely or permit them only shortly before shows. Fans caught holding unwanted tickets say these rules prevent quick sales when demand weakens. One reseller noted that restrictions arrived after they purchased inventory.
Soft Demand Predated the Macklemore Dispute
The resale weakness was not entirely new. Hundreds of tickets sat unsold for several large stadium dates before the Macklemore controversy erupted. Some resale listings had already fallen below face value. Industry analysts note that tour resales typically soften in the weeks before shows as fans either commit or drop out. The current decline accelerates an existing trend rather than creating an entirely fresh one.
Macklemore Pledges Donation While Protests Loom
Macklemore announced he will donate $1 million from his tour earnings to organizations helping Palestinians. He publicly challenged Robert Kraft to match the contribution. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected outside the Philadelphia show. The rapper maintains he made legitimate statements about Gaza and refuses to apologize for his remarks about the conflict.
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