Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular and successful singer-songwriters in the world today. The English musician is known for hits like “Shape of You,” “Perfect,” and “Thinking Out Loud.” Sheeran has toured extensively over his career, regularly visiting North America. His most recent tour was the ÷ Tour in support of his 2017 album ÷. This tour included several legs across the United States and Canada from 2017-2019.
With Sheeran’s history of touring and popularity in North America, many fans are wondering if he will embark on another US tour soon. Currently, Sheeran has not announced a new album or tour. His last major tour wrapped up in 2019. Typically, artists tour in support of new album releases, so he may be waiting to announce new music before unveiling tour plans. However, given his level of fame and the anticipation for him to return to the States, it’s very possible Sheeran will announce a US tour in the near future.
Sheeran’s History of Touring
Ed Sheeran is no stranger to extensive touring. Ever since releasing his debut album + in 2011, he has regularly embarked on world tours in support of new music. Here is an overview of his past tours:
The + Tour (2011-2012)
Sheeran’s debut tour supported his first album +. It included shows across the UK and Japan in 2011 and 2012.
The Red Tour (2012-2013)
This tour supported Sheeran’s follow-up EP record The A Team. He played shows across the UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Dubai.
The Multiply Tour (2014-2015)
Sheeran’s first proper world tour supported his sophomore album Multiply. This tour saw him break into larger venues including arenas and stadiums. He played multiple legs across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Divide Tour (2017-2019)
Sheeran’s most recent and longest tour supported his album ÷. This massive world tour included 9 legs across the globe. In North America, Sheeran played stadiums and arenas for 2 legs from June 2017 – August 2018. In total, the tour had 260 shows across the continents.
Sheeran’s Popularity and Draw in North America
Ed Sheeran has built a substantial fanbase in North America that makes it a crucial part of his touring plans. Some key points:
- He has placed multiple singles in the Billboard Hot 100 chart including 4 number 1 hits.
- His albums +, x (Multiply), and ÷ (Divide) all reached #1 in the US and Canada.
- On Spotify, Sheeran is the #5 most streamed artist in the world. 62 million of his listeners are in the USA, his largest audience.
- His 2019 concert film Jumpers for Goalposts was filmed in Chicago and showcases his abilities as a captivating live performer.
- His 2018-2019 Divide Tour stops in North America sold over 2 million tickets total.
Thanks to heavy radio play, chart success, and streaming numbers, Sheeran has developed a loyal listenership in the US and Canada. His music and artistry have crossover pop appeal. He can sell out arenas and stadiums across the continent, making it a crucial territory for him to tour in. The massive demand is surely a key reason he regularly plans North American legs for his tours.
When Sheeran Could Tour the US Next
Though not confirmed, there are some possible timelines for when Ed Sheeran might next launch a US concert tour:
2023
If Sheeran releases a new album in late 2022 or early 2023, he could potentially tour North America in mid to late 2023 around August-December. He likes to play outdoor amphitheaters and stadiums, so this timeframe would work well weather-wise.
2024
If he takes a break from recording and releases a new album later in 2023, he may focus his next North American leg for 2024 instead. The Divide Tour came to the US in summer 2017 and 2018, showing how he spaces out touring over two years.
2025
There’s an outside chance Sheeran waits even longer before his next album and tour. He took a break from music and touring for most of 2019-2021. If he follows a similar prolonged break, his next visit to North America could be as late as 2025. However, this seems unlikely with his career momentum.
Setlist Expectations for a US Tour
When Ed Sheeran does his next US headlining tour, fans can expect a wide-ranging setlist of his many hits plus new songs. Here are some predictions for his setlist based on past shows:
New Album Cuts
Naturally, Sheeran will want to promote his latest album on tour. He’ll likely play at least 3-5 of the singles and fan favorites from the new record.
Older Hits
Audiences will want to hear his classic tracks like “The A Team”, “Thinking Out Loud”, “Photograph”, “Shape of You”, “Perfect”, “Castle on the Hill”, and more. He rotates older catalog songs in and out of his setlists.
Covers and Collaborations
Sheeran frequently does creative covers and collaborations during his shows. He could bring out artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, or Travis Scott for duets. Cover possibilities are endless – he’s done songs by The Beatles, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and more.
Solo Segments
His concerts often feature several mini-sets of Sheeran alone on stage with his loop pedal, guitar, and vocals. He creates full band soundscapes by himself live. These raw solo segments really showcase his artistry.
Song Category | Prediction |
---|---|
New Album Cuts | 3-5 Songs |
Older Hits | 10-15 Songs |
Covers/Collaborations | 2-4 Songs |
Solo Segments | 2-3 Mini-Sets of 3-4 Songs Each |
Set Design and Production
Ed Sheeran always puts a lot of thought into designing a captivating show. Here’s what fans can expect from the production of his next US tour:
- Massive LED screens for vivid visuals and backdrops. Sheeran used curved, floor-to-ceiling LED on The Divide Tour.
- B Stage setup that connects the main stage to a smaller satellite stage. Allows Sheeran to get closer to fans in large venues.
- Creative laser lighting rigs and light shows.
- High-tech audio system delivering pristine sound.
- Catwalks that extend out onto the floor to give fans a surrounding concert experience.
Sheeran and his team constantly innovate the live show with new technologies and presentation elements. The production will be tailored for large sports arenas and stadiums when he returns to North America. Fans get an immersive audiovisual event combining his intimate solo performing with big venue production flair.
How Quickly Tickets Will Sell Out
When Ed Sheeran does announce his next US tour, it will absolutely be one of the hottest concert tickets around. Here’s an examination of how quickly his shows will likely sell out:
- His August 2018 show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey sold out in just 24 hours.
- On Ticketmaster, over 1 million people were searching for Ed Sheeran tickets during the first presales for The Divide Tour US leg.
- Looking at Ticketmaster data, several of Sheeran’s shows were among the top 20 fastest selling concerts in recent years.
- His popularity has only grown since his last tour ended in 2019.
All signs point to Sheeran’s next US tour tickets selling out extremely quickly. Huge demand will overload ticketing sites. VIP packages and presales will go fast. Savvy fans should be ready to buy their tickets immediately when announced to ensure getting seats. It will absolutely be one of the hottest touring acts and toughest tickets around. Prepare for a challenging competitive buying experience!
How Expensive Tickets Will Be
Seeing Ed Sheeran’s next tour will likely be quite an expensive endeavor. Here’s a projection of the price ranges if he plays arenas and stadiums again:
Ticket Type | Estimated Price Range |
---|---|
Nosebleeds/Upper Level | $50-$150 |
Lower Level/Floor | $150-$400+ |
VIP/Front Row | $500-$1000+ |
Platinum/Resale | $200-$2000+ |
These projected prices are just for regular tickets. VIP packages with perks like meet and greets or premium seats can cost $1000+ easily. The most in-demand cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto may be at the higher end of the price spectrum. Overall, fans need to budget a few hundred dollars at minimum if they hope to get good lower level seats.
Conclusion
It seems highly likely that Ed Sheeran will tour the United States again soon. Exactly when is still up in the air based on his recording plans. But given his consistent touring history and immense popularity here, a US leg seems inevitable in 2023 or 2024. When announced, these highly coveted tickets will sell out instantly. Prices will be steep compared to other concerts, but worth it for Sheeran’s stellar live performances. While nothing is confirmed yet, American fans should be ready to buy seats quickly when Sheeran announces his next Stateside tour. It will be one of the biggest concert events in music when it happens.