Ed Sheeran extends tour after last-minute Las Vegas cancellation

British pop star Ed Sheeran has been forced to extend his Mathematics Tour after safety fears led to a last-minute cancellation of his Las Vegas show on Saturday.

The tour, which began almost 18 months ago, was due to end at SoFi Stadium in two weeks’ time. However, Sheeran has now rescheduled the Allegiant Stadium gig for late October after Saturday’s show was dramatically called off.

The Las Vegas venue initially warned fans shortly before the concert was due to start that it would be “significantly delayed.” However, it ended up being cancelled altogether, with Sheeran soon taking to Instagram to apologise to fans.

On Sunday, the singer returned to social media to give more details, citing an article that said he and his team battled for 24 hours to save the Mathematics Tour show after a “flooring problem” was identified. Sheeran’s post explained that when the crew were bringing in their equipment ahead of the soundcheck, “rubber tiling had become unstuck – causing two tall towers to slip overnight by about a foot each”.

Sheeran wrote in his message: “It was a safety issue, and we really tried to do the best we could to make the show happen but I’m not gonna risk the safety of my fans for anything. I really am gutted, this was very much out of my control but I do take full responsibility for everyone that was put out from the cancellation.”

Refunds are available

Sheeran apologised for the lateness of the cancellation: “Nothing will take away from the effort people went to get to Vegas though and I’m sorry it wasn’t communicated sooner to the people waiting outside. We really thought the show was going to happen up until the very last moment but it just couldn’t for safety reasons.”

The show has been rescheduled for October 28 with all tickets valid for that date. Sheeran said in his post that refunds are available at point of purchase for those who cannot make it.

The third and final leg of the 88-date tour had been due to finish at the huge SoFi Stadium home of the NFL’s LA Rams and LA Chargers in Inglewood on September 23. It resumes this week at Oakland’s Fox Theater in California on Friday night. It then visits Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium before the SoFi Stadium show.

Citing “technical issues,” Allegiant Stadium said in a statement, “We are sorry for the delays and inconvenience caused to all the Ed Sheeran fans who were expecting a concert tonight. Updates were communicated as quickly as possible to those waiting outside and via our social channels, website, and venue app. Stadium doors were opened at 5:05 PM to get fans out of the heat and we have ensured that anyone requiring assistance has received it.”