Pop icon Ed Sheeran announces 'Loop Tour' is set to kick off this summer in Australia
Sheeran will perform eight massive shows across the first three months of 2026, performing in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The global superstar will first perform three shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand, before crossing the Tasman.
It has been two years since Sheeran last visited Australia for his sold-out 'Mathematics' tour, which sold more than 1 million tickets.
He played at the MCG twice, breaking the stadium's concert attendance records on both nights.
The Loop Tour is set to be present new surprises along with his biggest chart-topping hits.
'Ed's new live show promises to be filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits,' a statement from promoters Frontier Touring and MG Live said.
Sheeran shared the news with Aussies at a virtual press conference on Tuesday at the Lord Dudley Hotel in Sydney's Woollahra.
The announcement comes after weeks of speculation of a Down Under tour.
Sheeran said on Instagram he is excited to start a brand-new tour.
'New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' he said.
'We kick it off in Australia and New Zealand in Jan, Feb, March 2026, which is always the best time, I can't wait to be back.'
The tour is set to support the 34-year-olds new album, Play, which is expected to be released in September.
Sheeran has released a few songs from the upcoming album including Azizam, Sapphire and Old Phone.
He said his new album was made as a direct response to the 'darkest period of my life'.
'It's a real rollercoaster of emotions … (and) encapsulates … where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father. The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic,' Sheeran said.
The songs on Play relate to a dark time when his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with a tumour while with their second child, as well as losing close friends music producer Jamal Edwards and cricket legend Shane Warne.
'I felt like I didn't want to live anymore,' he said at the time on Instagram.
'Those thoughts were bad enough, but shame arrived as their companion. They seemed selfish, especially as a father. I feel really embarrassed about it.
'I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up, but not being able to break through for air.'
Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 29. Ed Sheeran's Australia & New Zealand 2026 Loop Tour dates New Zealand
Friday 16 January at GO Media Stadium in Auckland.
Wednesday 21 January at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Saturday 24 January at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Australia
Saturday 31 January at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Friday 13 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Saturday 14 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Friday 20 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Saturday 21 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Thursday 26 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Friday 27 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Thursday 5 March at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
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