Ed Sheeran to bring star-studded lineup to Portman Road this summer

Why it matters: The three-night stint will mark Ed's first UK headline shows since 2023 and include debut performances of tracks from his upcoming album 'Play', to be released in September.

The details: The lifelong Town fan and minority owner will perform at Ipswich Town's stadium on 11-13 July, with different supporting acts each night:

• 11 July: Myles Smith and Tori Kelly
• 12 July: Busted and Dylan
• 13 July: James Blunt and Maisie Peters

£1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the newly-launched Live Trust, a funding initiative that will offer financial support to those working across live music, particularly the grassroots sector.

What they're saying: Sheeran, who has sponsored the Club's playing kits since 2021, called the opportunity to play at Portman Road "a true homecoming" after years of touring stadiums worldwide.

"I play all around the world, in such amazing stadiums, but nothing means as much as this one here," Sheeran said. "This really is a true homecoming, and is 3 nights only. It'll be such a special weekend of shows."

The bigger picture: After closing his Mathematics series, Sheeran is stepping into a new musical phase with 'Play', exploring fresh ground through collaborations with producers and musicians from around the world.

What to look out for: Fans can pre-order 'Play' via Sheeran's official website to gain access to an exclusive pre-sale for concert tickets from 09:00 on Wednesday, 7 May. General sale will begin on Friday, 9 May at 10:00. Tickets are expected to sell incredibly fast.

The bottom line: These hometown shows fulfil a longtime dream for Sheeran, who attended his first concert at Portman Road as a child, watching Elton John with James Blunt as support – the same James Blunt who now returns to complete what Sheeran calls "the circle."