Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour has finally launched its North American leg, captivating audiences with the artist's trademark one-man-band approach. The tour kicked off on June 13, 2026, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where Sheeran performed a 28-song set that leveraged his looping stations to create a rich, layered sound. Over the course of nearly two hours, the stage felt intimate despite the sprawling venue, as Sheeran built loops in real time, weaving together vocals, guitar, percussion, and electronic effects. This technique, which has become his signature, allows him to fill stadiums with only his voice and instruments, making each show a unique experience.

Sheeran's career has been defined by his ability to connect with massive audiences through stripped-down performances. From his early EPs to global hits like "Shape of You" and "Perfect," he has consistently toured the world, refining his craft. The Loop Tour, named after his looping technique, follows his massive Mathematics Tour, which broke attendance records worldwide. With the Loop Tour, Sheeran emphasizes the raw, spontaneous side of his music, often incorporating fan requests and interactive segments into the setlist. The Glendale show included several moments where he asked the crowd to choose songs, resulting in intimate renditions of classics like "Lego House" and "Supermarket Flowers."

Opening Acts and Special Guests

The Loop Tour features a rotating lineup of opening acts, ensuring variety across different cities. In Glendale, Sheeran was joined by Mark Ambor, Amble, and Aaron Rowe. Mark Ambor is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter known for his folk-pop sound, while Amble, an Australian indie artist, brought a dreamy, electronic vibe. Aaron Rowe, a veteran multi-instrumentalist, added a rock edge. Future dates will feature a diverse mix of talents, including Myles Smith, Ellie Banke, Sigrid, Lukas Graham, Macklemore, and Finneas. Notably, the South American leg will be supported exclusively by Finneas, the Grammy-winning producer and brother of Billie Eilish. This variety reflects Sheeran's broad musical taste and his willingness to platform emerging artists alongside established acts like Macklemore, who will join the tour for multiple stadium shows in September and October.

One of the highlights of the Glendale show was a six-song breakout mid-set featuring Irish folk band Beoga. Sheeran invited them on stage for Celtic-tinged renditions of "Galway Girl," "Nancy Mulligan," "I Don't Care," "Old Phone," "Camera," and "Celestial." The collaboration provided a refreshing change of pace and showcased Sheeran's love for folk music. After the interlude, Sheeran returned to solo looping, proving that even without a band, he can command a stadium with ease.

Complete List of Tour Dates

The Loop Tour will travel across North America through late 2026, with stops in major cities and several multi-night stands in Toronto and East Rutherford. After the North American leg, Sheeran will head to South America and headline shows in Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico City. Below is the full schedule of remaining dates:

• June 20: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN (with Myles Smith, Amble, Aaron Rowe)
• June 25: Summerfest, Milwaukee, WI (with Aaron Rowe)
• June 27: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL (with Myles Smith, Ellie Banke)
• July 4: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO (with Myles Smith, Aaron Rowe)
• July 18: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV (with Myles Smith, Sigrid, Aaron Rowe)
• July 21: Petco Park, San Diego, CA (with Myles Smith, Sigrid, Aaron Rowe)
• July 25: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA (with Myles Smith, Sigrid, Aaron Rowe)
• Aug 1: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA (with Myles Smith, Sigrid, Aaron Rowe)
• Aug 8: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, CA (with Myles Smith, Sigrid, Aaron Rowe)
• Aug 15: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN (with Myles Smith, Lukas Graham, Ellie Banke)
• Aug 20-22: Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON (multiple nights with Myles Smith, Lukas Graham, BIIRD)
• Aug 29: Ford Field, Detroit, MI (with Myles Smith, Lukas Graham, BIIRD)
• Sept 4-5: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, BIIRD)
• Sept 19: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Sept 25-26: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Oct 3: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Oct 10: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Oct 17: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Oct 24: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Oct 29-30: Hard Rock Live, Hollywood, FL (with Aaron Rowe)
• Nov 7: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL (with Macklemore, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe)
• Nov 21-22: Estadio Bicentenario, Santiago, Chile (with Finneas)
• Nov 26: Estadio General Pablo Rojas, Asunción, Paraguay (with Finneas)
• Nov 29: Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó, Buenos Aires, Argentina (with Finneas)
• Dec 5-6: Nubank Parque, São Paulo, Brazil (with Finneas)
• Dec 11: Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes, Mexico City, Mexico (with Finneas)

Setlist Breakdown from the Opener

The setlist from the Glendale show provides a blueprint for what fans can expect on the rest of the tour. Sheeran divided his performance across two stages—a main stage and a B stage—allowing him to move among the audience. The show began on the B stage with a powerful rendition of "You Need Me, I Don't Need You," a track that showcases his rapid-fire lyrical delivery and looping skills. He then moved through hits like "Sapphire," "Castle on the Hill," "The A Team," and "Shivers," before finishing the first segment with "Don't."

On the B stage, Sheeran engaged with fans by taking requests. He played "Eyes Closed," "Lego House," "Tenerife Sea," "Supermarket Flowers," and "Give Me Love." These acoustic, heartfelt versions highlighted his songwriting prowess and ability to connect one-on-one with the crowd. Following the interlude with Beoga, he returned to the B stage for a medley of hits: "Eastside," "2002," "Cold Water," "Little Things," and "Love Yourself." This segment was followed by "Thinking Out Loud" and "Perfect," which had the entire stadium singing along. He closed the main set with "I See Fire," a brooding track from The Hobbit soundtrack that builds into a powerful loop-driven climax.

The encore brought three of Sheeran's biggest anthems: "Shape of You," "Azizam," and "Bad Habits." "Shape of You" remains one of the most streamed songs of all time, and its live loop version added a kinetic energy that left the audience buzzing. "Azizam," a newer track, proved that Sheeran's creativity hasn't waned, while "Bad Habits" ended the night on a high-energy, danceable note.

The Enduring Appeal of the Loop

What makes the Loop Tour so compelling is Sheeran's mastery of live looping. Unlike many artists who rely on backing tracks or full bands, Sheeran creates every sound on stage in real time. He uses separate loop stations for each stage, allowing him to layer vocals, guitar arpeggios, percussive slaps, and harmony parts. This technique engages the audience, as they can see the music being built from scratch. It also makes each performance slightly different, as Sheeran adapts loops based on the crowd's energy and his own creative whims.

Sheeran's career arc is a testament to the power of authenticity. From busking in London streets to headlining stadiums worldwide, he has always prioritized direct communication with fans. The Loop Tour is perhaps the purest expression of his artistry—no dancers, no elaborate stage effects, just a man, his guitars, and a loop pedal. For fans who have followed him since his early days, this tour feels like a return to his roots, while for newcomers, it's a chance to understand why he is one of the most successful touring artists of the 21st century.

Source:USA TODAY News