Ed Sheeran's 'Deep, Deep Love' for New Zealand: A Loop Tour Kickoff in Auckland
Get ready to feel the love, because Ed Sheeran has officially launched his 2026 Loop Tour, and he chose New Zealand as the starting point! The British superstar kicked things off in Auckland, setting the stage for a global stadium tour and expressing his profound affection for the country.
Sheeran graced the Go Media Stadium stage, captivating around 40,000 enthusiastic fans. This was the first of two Auckland shows, with performances scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch later this month.
During the show, Sheeran shared his deep connection to New Zealand, emphasizing his "deep, deep love" for the nation.
"When you start a tour somewhere, you get to spend an extended period of time there," Sheeran told the crowd. "I couldn't think of a better place in the world to spend a month of my life. I love it."
This performance, supporting Sheeran's newest album Play, marked his sixth visit to New Zealand. His previous visit was in 2023 for the Mathematics Tour.
The Go Media Stadium experience featured a groundbreaking setup for the venue: a massive, circular stage complemented by what organizers touted as "the largest video screen ever constructed in New Zealand for a concert."
Fans were treated to a three-hour set of Sheeran's chart-topping hits. The show opened with tracks like You Need Me, I Don't Need You and the recent hit Sapphire. Other fan favorites from his eight-album discography included Castle On The Hill, The A Team, Galway Girl, and Photograph.
Midway through the concert, Sheeran moved to the B-Stage for an acoustic set, featuring songs like Thinking Out Loud, Perfect, I See Fire, and a medley of his own compositions.
Closing the show with hits Azizam and Bad Habits, Sheeran promised the Auckland crowd, "See you tomorrow," before his Saturday performance.
Beyond music, Sheeran has made several appearances in New Zealand. He even had a cameo on Shortland Street in 2014 and surprised two Auckland intermediate schools with performances in 2023.
Sheeran is scheduled to perform at Wellington's Sky Stadium on January 21st, followed by shows at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on January 24th and 25th.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could this deep affection for New Zealand be a genuine connection, or is it just a strategic move to endear himself to a new audience? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
