Omari Gates
Ed Sheeran has a deep friendship with Australia and has enjoyed a mutual love affair with the country since his early career. Sheeran's first hit single, The A Team, became a top-ten hit in Australia in 2011, and his 2017 hit Shape of You was the top-selling song of the entire 2010s in the country. Sheeran's 2018 Divide Tour sold more than one million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits in 1985. Sheeran has broken multiple Australian records with his concerts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and his upcoming 2026 Loop Tour is highly anticipated. Sheeran has expressed his love for Australia, and his plans to visit schools and collaborate with First Nations artists during his next tour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Attendance record | Sold over 2.5 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand |
| Record-breaking tour | Broke the Australian record for attendance at a ticketed event twice in the same month during his last visit |
| Tour dates | January, February, and March 2026 |
| Tour locations | Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide |
| Australian record | Sold 1,006,387 tickets across Australia and New Zealand during the 2018 Divide Tour |
| Song popularity | "Shape of You" was the top-selling song of the 2010s in Australia |
| Local connection | Collaborated with Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes on the song "Visiting Hours" |
| Cultural appreciation | Enjoys soaking up the culture, playing different instruments, and exploring different music and languages |
| Australian appreciation | Aussies appreciate his "larrikin sense of humour" and down-to-earth, authentic persona |
Explore related products
![Live At The Bedford (Exclusive Limited Edition Red Vinyl) [Condition-VG+NM]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61aIkYcA9IL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Ed Sheeran's record-breaking Australian tours
Ed Sheeran has had multiple record-breaking tours in Australia. In 2018, his Divide Tour sold more than one million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits in 1985. The Divide Tour also set a new mark of 18 stadium dates across the two countries, beating AC/DC's previous record of 14.
During his 2023 Mathematics Tour, Sheeran broke the Australian record for attendance at a ticketed event twice in the same month. In March 2023, he performed to crowds of 110,000 and 108,000 over two nights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a combined attendance of almost 215,000 across the two shows. This broke the national record for attendance at a ticketed concert, and the combined attendance record across the two shows will be a tough one to beat.
Sheeran's connection with Australia runs deep. He has said that Australia was the first place he was accepted as a musician outside of the United Kingdom. He also has strong ties with the Gudinskis, the family behind Frontier Touring, the company that produced his Divide Tour and other treks across Australia. In 2022, he travelled to Melbourne during the pandemic to perform at the state memorial service for Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski, showcasing his loyalty and appreciation for those he has worked closely with.
In 2025, Sheeran announced his return to Australia and New Zealand in 2026 with his Loop Tour. The tour will kick off in Auckland, New Zealand, and will include stadium shows in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. With a focus on the loop pedal, a device that allows musicians to record and loop musical phrases, the tour promises new music, surprises, and plenty of tricks.
The Unique Australian Animal Kingdom
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His appreciation for Australian music
Ed Sheeran has a deep appreciation for Australian music and has broken multiple Australian records with his MCG concerts. In 2018, his Divide tour sold more than 1 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits in 1985. His 2023 Mathematics tour broke the Australian record for attendance at a ticketed event twice in the same month, with crowds of 110,000 and 108,000 over two nights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Sheeran's strong ties to Australia are evident through his collaborations with Australian artists. He performed his original song "Visiting Hours" with Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes at the state memorial service for Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski. Sheeran also expressed his interest in working with First Nations artists during his upcoming tour, stating that he loves to soak up the culture, play different instruments, and explore different music and languages.
Sheeran's music has also been heavily influenced by Australian culture. His single "Shape of You," which became the top-selling song of the 2010s in Australia, was likely inspired by his experiences in the country. Sheeran's playful, down-to-earth, and authentic personality resonates with Australian audiences, contributing to his success and popularity in the country.
Sheeran's connection with Australia goes beyond music. He has a deep friendship with the Gudinskis, the family behind Frontier Touring, the company that has produced multiple treks for him. His loyalty and respect for his Australian collaborators and fans have sustained his success in the country.
Sheeran's appreciation for Australian music and culture has been a significant factor in his decision to return to Australia in 2026 with his Loop tour. With his record-breaking sales and strong connections to the country, Sheeran continues to showcase his love for Australia and its music industry.
Federal Government: Australia's Key Responsibilities and Services
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His connection with the Gudinski family
Ed Sheeran's relationship with the Gudinski family is a heartwarming story of friendship and mentorship. Michael Gudinski, the late Australian music industry magnate and founder of Mushroom Records, was a close friend and father figure to Ed Sheeran. Their bond was so strong that Sheeran travelled to Australia and quarantined for two weeks to pay tribute to Gudinski at his memorial in Melbourne.
Sheeran and Gudinski's relationship was unique in the music industry, known for its cut-throat nature. When they met, they became best mates, and Gudinski offered Sheeran guidance and protection. Their friendship was so discrete that not many people knew about it, which makes their story even more special.
Gudinski was like a mentor to Sheeran, helping to plan his stadium tours of Australia and offering his expertise. Their bond was so strong that Sheeran wrote and performed a tribute song, "Visiting Hours," for Gudinski's memorial. The song reveals Sheeran's wish for Gudinski to have met his daughter, Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran, showing the depth of their connection.
Sheeran's tribute to Gudinski at Memorial Park in Melbourne, accompanied by Gudinski's son, Matt, further highlights their close relationship. Sheeran toasted Gudinski with his favourite wine, honouring his memory and influence on his career.
The story of Ed Sheeran and Michael Gudinski's friendship is a testament to the power of genuine connection and loyalty in an industry that can be challenging and competitive. Their relationship has left a lasting impact on both their lives and showcases the importance of mentorship and mutual support.
Finding Registered Business Names in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His popularity with Australian audiences
Ed Sheeran enjoys a mutual love affair with Australia. His popularity with Australian audiences is evident from the record-breaking ticket sales for his concerts. In 2018, his Divide Tour sold more than one million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits in 1985.
Sheeran's Mathematics Tour in 2023 also broke records, with crowds of 110,000 and 108,000 over two nights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, setting a new Australian record for tickets sold to a single concert. With further stadium shows in Adelaide and Perth, he played to massive crowds across the country.
Sheeran's appeal to Australian audiences can be attributed to his relatable persona and authenticity. Dan Rosen, president of Warner Music Australasia, Sheeran's local record label, observes that "people go to the shows and tell another friend, 'Next time he comes, you've gotta go see him', and then he ends up playing stadiums". This word-of-mouth popularity has contributed to his growing success in Australia.
Additionally, Sheeran's ""larrikin sense of humour" and down-to-earth attitude resonate with Australian audiences. His authenticity and genuine love for music, family, friends, and sports align with the Aussie view of the world, fostering a deep connection with his fans in the country.
Sheeran's upcoming Loop Tour in 2026 is highly anticipated, and he is expected to continue breaking records and captivating Australian audiences with his music and relatable persona.
Exploring the Unique Identity of Australia
You may want to see also
His plans to visit Australian schools
Ed Sheeran has a deep friendship with Australia and the Gudinskis, the family behind Frontier Touring, the company that has produced several of his tours in the country. Sheeran's last official gigs in Australia, during the 2018 Divide Tour, were record-breakers. The tour sold 1,006,387 tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms Tour in 1985. Globally, the tour grossed $US776 million, outpacing the previous top-grossing concert tour, U2's 360 Degree Tour of 2009 to 2011. His record sales in Australia have also been unmatched. The Shape of You, released in 2017, was the top-selling song of the entire 2010s in Australia, going 14-times platinum, which equates to at least 980,000 copies sold.
Sheeran's Mathematics tour of Australia in 2023 covered three shows at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium and two at Sydney's Accor Stadium. He then performed in Melbourne for two shows at the MCG, for more than 100,000 people on Thursday night and 107,000 people on Friday night, an Australian record for tickets sold to a single concert. With further stadium shows scheduled in Adelaide and Perth, he might end up with more pitch time than most of the Australian cricket team.
Sheeran has announced his return to Australia and New Zealand in 2026 with his Loop tour. The tour will be focused on the loop pedal and will begin in Auckland in January 2026. The tour will feature a brand-new live show that will follow the release of his new album, Play. Sheeran will perform at stadiums in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch (his first show there in 11 years), before heading to Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
During his 2026 tour, Sheeran plans to visit schools while in Australia as part of his music foundation. He has expressed his interest in collaborating with First Nations artists and engaging with the local culture, music, and instruments.
Ed Sheeran's connection with Australia runs deep, and his upcoming tour will further solidify his presence in the country's music industry. His plans to visit Australian schools during his 2026 tour demonstrate his commitment to engaging with local communities and fostering musical talent.
Exploring Australia's Stance on Homosexuality: Legal or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ed Sheeran has a deep friendship with Australia and the Gudinskis, the family behind Frontier Touring, the company that produced his 2018 Divide tour. He has said that he loves Australia's music scene and that he plans to visit schools while in the country as part of his music foundation. He also enjoys soaking up the culture, playing different instruments, and performing in Australia.
Ed Sheeran has toured Australia multiple times, including in 2018 for his Divide Tour and in 2023 for his Mathematics Tour. He has announced that he will return to Australia in 2026 for his Loop Tour.
Ed Sheeran has broken multiple attendance records in Australia. During his Divide Tour in 2018, he sold over 1 million tickets across Australia and New Zealand, breaking a sales record set by Dire Straits in 1985. During his Mathematics Tour in 2023, he performed to crowds of 110,000 and 108,000 over two nights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, setting a new Australian record for tickets sold to a single concert.
Ed Sheeran is Australia's favourite singer because of his ""larrikin sense of humour" and his "down-to-earth, anti-star vibe." Aussies appreciate his authenticity and his connection to their way of life. They also enjoy his music, with Shape of You being the top-selling song of the 2010s in Australia.
