Ed Sheeran has announced a short UK arena tour for December 2025 in support of his new album, Play
- Deorah Marks
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The upcoming tour offers a rare opportunity to see the stadium-level artist in more intimate venue.
Ed Sheeran, the multi-platinum singer-songwriter new shows announced in Coventry, Manchester & Dublin this December,
Coventry Building Society Arena, 05 Dec
Manchester Co-op Live, 07
Dublin 3Arena, 09
Presale details to follow.
Tickets on sale Thursday (11 September) at 10am from Ticketmaster
In addition, Seat Unique offer VIP & Hospitality options.
Ed Sheeran's eighth studio album, Play, marks a significant shift in his career following the conclusion of his "Mathematics" series. The record, set for release on September 12, 2025, sees him exploring new sounds influenced by musical cultures from around the world.
What we know about the album
Play is a "big pop" album: A major change of pace from his more recent folk and acoustic sounds, Sheeran has described the album as a return to "big pop".
Influenced by global musical traditions: Inspired by his travels, Sheeran incorporated elements of Indian and Persian musical cultures into the album. He found surprising connections to the Irish folk tradition he grew up with, such as shared scales and rhythms.
Inspired by a "darkest period": In a social media post, Sheeran shared that the album "was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life". The project became a source of joy and exploration as he toured the world.
The first in a new series: Play is the first of five planned albums with titles based on electronic media buttons, with Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Stop to follow.
Previously released singles: The album includes the singles "Azizam," "Old Phone," "Sapphire," and "A Little More
Writing on Instagram, Sheeran offered insight into the album's creative process, stating:
"I love learning about music and different cultures the more I travel and connect with people... It was showing to me music connects us all, and really is a universal language. This whole album is about being playful, explorative, and celebratory.
The new album would almost certainly be followed by a tour.
"Loop Tour": A stadium tour called the "Loop Tour" is already confirmed to begin in Australia and New Zealand in early 2026. Some fan chatter on social media suggests a European leg could follow in 2027.
Sheeran is a major concert draw in the UK and North America, and these regions have not been included in the initial 2026 "Loop Tour" announcements.
Based on his track record, a large stadium tour of the UK and North America is highly probable and could happen in late 2026 or 2027 to promote a new album.
Timing around other album releases: Sheeran's last UK homecoming shows were in 2023. His 2025 shows are in smaller venues, which he has previously described as a way to "warm up" before a larger tour. A full-scale tour for a new "Loop" album in 2027 would fit his typical pattern of releasing an album and touring it in the subsequent year.
Potential 2027 tour predictions
European and UK stadium tour: Following the 2026 dates in Australia and New Zealand, a European tour is very likely in 2027, including major UK stadiums like Wembley. This would be a large-scale tour, similar to his "Mathematics" tour.
North American dates: Expect a North American leg of the tour sometime in 2027 or 2028, likely in stadiums, given his immense popularity there.
Intimate "Living Room" style shows: Based on his recent behavior, he may also incorporate smaller, intimate shows in unique venues around the time of an album release.
Focus on the new album: Any 2027 tour would heavily feature material from his new album series (Play and its successors), alongside fan favorites and classic hits.
Extended touring schedule: Ed Sheeran has been consistently on tour. Some fans have noted he seems to always be on the road, which makes it highly probable that he will be touring extensively in 2027.