Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Robert Kraft Bars Macklemore From Ed Sheeran Tour Venue
Robert Kraft is an American billionaire who owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium.
Macklemore was supposed to perform at the stadium during Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Kraft said he stopped the performance from happening.
He pointed to Macklemore’s past statements, including support for Palestinians.
Kraft grew up in an Orthodox Jewish household in Massachusetts.
He has supported Jewish and Israeli causes for many years.
In 2019, he received the Genesis Prize and announced a $20 million contribution to fight antisemitism.
Kraft was also charged with soliciting prostitution in Florida in 2019, but those charges were dropped in 2020.
Robert Kraft confirmed that he barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium during Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform at the Massachusetts venue later this month.
Kraft cited the rapper’s past statements, including his support for Palestinians.
Kraft owns the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium through the Kraft Group.
Kraft, an Israel and Jewish-cause supporter, received the Genesis Prize in 2019 and pledged $20 million to combat antisemitism.
- Who
- Robert Kraft, Macklemore, and Ed Sheeran are central to the dispute.
- What
- Robert Kraft barred Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium during Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
- When
- The performance was scheduled for later this month; Kraft’s related honors and contribution occurred in 2019, and the prostitution charges were dropped in 2020.
- Where
- Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; the earlier criminal case was in Florida.
- Why
- Kraft said he acted because of Macklemore’s past statements, including his support for Palestinians.
Kraft’s Rationale
Macklemore’s Public Position
Reason for the performance change
Kraft’s Rationale
Kraft said he barred Macklemore because of the rapper’s past statements, including his support for Palestinians.
Macklemore’s Public Position
Macklemore had been scheduled to perform and is identified in the article as supporting Palestinians; the article does not include a direct response from him.
Views on Israel and Palestinian issues
Kraft’s Rationale
Kraft has long supported Jewish and Israeli causes and established a foundation to combat antisemitism.
Macklemore’s Public Position
Macklemore’s support for Palestinians was cited as part of the reason for the venue decision.
- Venue
- Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Tour
- Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour
- Venue owner
- Robert Kraft
- Estimated wealth
- More than $13 billion, according to Forbes
- Genesis Prize
- Kraft received the $1 million award in 2019
- Antisemitism foundation contribution
- Kraft announced a $20 million personal contribution in 2019
- Earlier legal case
- Kraft was charged with soliciting prostitution in Florida in 2019; the charges were dropped in 2020