Rapper Macklemore announced on Sept. 24, 2026, that he is launching the “Free Palestine Tour” following his abrupt removal from Ed Sheeran’s United States arena tour. The Grammy-winning artist confirmed that all proceeds from the upcoming concerts will directly benefit 12 international humanitarian aid organizations providing medical care, education, and community assistance to Palestinians.
Tour Dates and Initial European Arena Shows
The newly formed benefit tour opens with three major European arena performances scheduled for late October 2026. According to MCD Productions, the run begins on Oct. 26 at Dublin’s 3Arena, followed by a stop at Paris’ Accor Arena on Oct. 29, and wraps up at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on Oct. 30. An artist presale opens on Sept. 28 at 10 a.m. local time, with general ticket sales launching Sept. 30 through Macklemore’s official website.
Humanitarian Aid Beneficiaries
Macklemore structured the tour entirely around philanthropic support, designating 12 distinct organizations to receive 100% of the concert proceeds. The supported groups deliver medical aid, food, and community programming. According to announcements shared by the 3Arena, the beneficiary list includes Anera, Glia, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Taawon, HEAL Palestine, the Palestinian Youth Movement, Middle East Children’s Alliance, Jewish Voice for Peace, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the Institute for Middle East Understanding, Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and UNRWA USA.
Background on the Ed Sheeran Tour Fallout
The tour announcement follows Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour in mid-September 2026. Macklemore, whose birth name is Ben Haggerty, performed his pro-Palestinian song “Hind’s Hall” and told concertgoers “Free Palestine” during a Sept. 4 performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Following the show, Messina Touring Group, the promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour, stated that venues notified them they would cancel the concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup. As a result, Macklemore was dropped from the remaining dates, prompting supporting acts Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Beoga, and Lukas Graham to withdraw from the tour in solidarity.
Promoter, Venue, and Artist Responses
In statements issued following the controversy, Ed Sheeran addressed fans at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 19, opening his set by apologizing for making difficult decisions and stating, “I am making mistakes and I’m so, so sorry.” Sheeran previously clarified on social media that dropping Macklemore was ultimately the promoter’s decision. Meanwhile, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose company owns Gillette Stadium, defended barring Macklemore from the venue over rhetoric he characterized as antisemitic. Macklemore rejected those allegations, stating that his criticism targets the Israeli government rather than Jewish people. Despite the dispute, Kraft offered to meet with the rapper to discuss peace and ending suffering for all people.