British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran kicked off his 2026 Loop Tour in Auckland last night, choosing New Zealand as the starting point for his latest run of global stadium shows and telling fans he has a "deep, deep love" for the country.
Sheeran performed at Go Media Stadium to around 40,000 adoring fans, the first of two scheduled Auckland shows before heading south to Wellington and Christchurch later this month.
The Shape of You singer spoke directly to the crowd about his strong connection to New Zealand, saying he has a "deep, deep love" for the country.
"When you start a tour somewhere, you get to spend an extended period of time there," Sheeran said to the crowd.
"I couldn't think of a better place in the world to spend a month of my life. I love it."
The show supporting Sheeran's newest album Play marked the 34-year-old's sixth time visiting New Zealand, most recently in 2023 for his Mathematics Tour.
The Go Media Stadium spectacle sported a first of its kind for the venue — a large, circular stage accompanied by what organisers described as "the largest video screen ever constructed in New Zealand for a concert".
Fans were treated to many of Sheeran's popular hits over the three-hour long set, with the Brit kicking off the show with songs You Need Me, I Don't Need You and recent hit track Sapphire.
Other tracks played across the night from Sheeran's eight-album discography included Castle On The Hill, The A Team, Galway Girl, and Photograph.
Sheeran headed to the B-Stage during the middle of the show to perform an acoustic set consisting of songs Thinking Out Loud, Perfect, I See Fire, and a medley of songs written by himself.
Signing off the show with hit songs Azizam and Bad Habits, Sheeran told the crowd "see you tomorrow, Auckland," ahead of his Saturday show.
Outside of music, Sheeran has made numerous appearances in New Zealand over the years, including a cameo on Shortland Street in 2014 and surprise visits to two Auckland intermediate schools in 2023.
Sheeran will headline one show at Wellington's Sky Stadium on January 21, before heading to Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on January 24 and 25.
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