Ed Sheeran’s Tour Support Contest Sparks Outrage with Pro-Palestine Entries

Contest to open for Ed Sheeran flooded with pro-Palestine videos, amid tour controversy.

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Mexico City, Mexico — A contest aimed at finding a new support act for Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour has drawn sharp criticism after it was inundated with content expressing solidarity with Palestinian causes and disapproval of the singer.

The British artist, 35, is facing backlash over the removal of US rapper Macklemore from the tour following his pro-Palestine remarks. While Sheeran claims he had no role in the decision, he has faced scrutiny for maintaining an apolitical stance as other support acts have also withdrawn in protest.

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Guitar Center launched the “Open for Legends” competition on September 14, the same day Macklemore was dropped, inviting musicians to submit videos for a chance to perform at Sheeran’s December show in Mexico City. However, the platform saw an influx of non-musical content, including memes and videos supporting Palestine, with only a few genuine applications remaining after some were removed.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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