Ed Sheeran openers MetLife became a major topic among concertgoers as the global singer-songwriter arrived at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for two highly anticipated LOOP Tour performances on September 4 and September 5, 2026. The stadium lineup featured Macklemore, Lukas Graham and BIIRD before Sheeran took the stage, creating a full evening of live music for fans attending the New Jersey shows.
The MetLife dates represented another major stop on Sheeran’s 2026 North American stadium tour, which supports his album Play. The concerts also gained additional attention after Camila Cabello unexpectedly joined Sheeran onstage during the first MetLife performance for a special rendition of their hit collaboration “Bam Bam.”
Key Points Summary
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║ – Macklemore, Lukas Graham and BIIRD were the three scheduled support acts for Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium concerts. ║
║ – Sheeran performed at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 4 and September 5, 2026. ║
║ – The venue listed a 5:30 p.m. event start, with doors scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m. ║
║ – Macklemore, Lukas Graham and BIIRD gave fans three different musical styles before Sheeran’s headline set. ║
║ – Sheeran’s LOOP Tour combines songs from Play with major hits from throughout his career. ║
║ – Camila Cabello surprised fans by joining Sheeran for “Bam Bam” during the September 4 concert. ║
║ – The MetLife performances were among the major Northeast stops on Sheeran’s 2026 stadium schedule. ║
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Who Opened for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium?
The official supporting lineup for both MetLife Stadium concerts consisted of BIIRD, Lukas Graham and Macklemore.
Each performer brought a different style to the evening. BIIRD opened the event, Lukas Graham followed, and Macklemore performed immediately before Sheeran.
The combination gave concertgoers a varied musical experience rather than relying on several artists with similar sounds. BIIRD provided the opening introduction, Lukas Graham added his pop and soul-influenced songwriting, and Macklemore raised the energy with his hip-hop performance.
For fans planning around the concert schedule, knowing the order of the supporting acts was particularly useful because the MetLife event began well before Sheeran’s headline appearance.
BIIRD Starts the Night
BIIRD was the first performer scheduled to take the stage.
The emerging artist occupied the earliest performance slot, giving the audience an opportunity to hear new music before the better-known supporting performers appeared.
Based on the reported schedule from the first night, BIIRD began at approximately 5:30 p.m. The early start was important for fans who wanted to see every artist rather than arriving shortly before Sheeran’s performance.
Opening slots at major stadium concerts can provide artists with valuable exposure because they perform in front of thousands of people who may not have discovered their music previously.
Lukas Graham Brings a Different Sound
Lukas Graham followed BIIRD as the second supporting performer.
The Danish singer-songwriter is best known internationally for emotional and melodic songs such as “7 Years,” “Mama Said” and “Love Someone.” His music provided a softer contrast to Macklemore’s later hip-hop performance.
His appearance also fit naturally into the structure of the evening because his live set could build the atmosphere without competing directly with Sheeran’s acoustic-pop style.
For longtime music fans, Lukas Graham’s inclusion was one of the highlights of the supporting lineup because his catalog contains several songs that have become international radio favorites.
Macklemore Takes the Stage Before Sheeran
Macklemore served as the final major supporting performer before Ed Sheeran.
The Seattle-born rapper has built a career around major crossover hits, including “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” “Same Love” and “Glorious.” His energetic approach made him a natural choice for the final opening slot.
Performing immediately before a stadium headliner requires an artist capable of maintaining audience energy, and Macklemore’s catalog gives him plenty of material suited to a large venue.
His position also meant that fans experienced a clear progression through the evening: an emerging opening act, a melodic singer-songwriter performance, a high-energy rap set and finally Sheeran’s headline show.
What Time Did the MetLife Concert Start?
MetLife Stadium scheduled the Ed Sheeran concerts for a 5:30 p.m. event start, while doors were scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m.
The timing allowed the three supporting performers to appear before Sheeran’s headline set later in the evening.
Reported performance times from the September 4 concert placed BIIRD at about 5:30 p.m., Lukas Graham at approximately 6 p.m. and Macklemore at around 6:45 p.m. Sheeran then began his main performance at roughly 8 p.m.
Actual concert schedules can change because of production requirements, artist set lengths and venue operations, so fans should always rely on the latest information available for their specific event.
Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Setlist Features Career Favorites
Sheeran’s LOOP Tour has been built around a mixture of new material and songs that helped establish him as one of the world’s biggest singer-songwriters.
The MetLife performance included songs spanning multiple stages of his career.
The September 4 set featured “Shivers,” “Castle on the Hill,” “The A Team,” “Sapphire,” “Lego House,” “Eyes Closed,” “I’m a Mess,” “Supermarket Flowers,” “Give Me Love” and “Photograph.”
He also performed fan favorites including “Thinking Out Loud,” “Perfect,” “I See Fire,” “Shape of You,” “Azizam” and “Bad Habits.”
The show additionally incorporated songs from Play, including newer tracks such as “Old Phone” and “Camera.”
This balance between newer material and established hits is one of the defining characteristics of the current tour.
The Role of Play in the LOOP Tour
The LOOP Tour is closely connected to Sheeran’s latest album, Play.
Rather than creating a concert entirely around the new record, Sheeran has incorporated songs from the album into a broader career-spanning performance.
That approach gives longtime fans familiar songs while allowing newer tracks to become part of the live experience.
At MetLife, songs including “Sapphire,” “Old Phone,” “Camera” and “Azizam” appeared alongside older favorites.
The result was a setlist designed to represent different periods of Sheeran’s career instead of focusing exclusively on one album.
Camila Cabello’s Surprise MetLife Appearance
One of the biggest moments from the New Jersey concerts came when Camila Cabello unexpectedly joined Sheeran onstage.
Cabello appeared during the September 4 performance for “Bam Bam,” the 2022 collaboration originally released as part of Cabello’s Familia era.
The surprise appearance gave the MetLife audience an unexpected reunion between two artists who have worked together on multiple songs.
Sheeran reportedly introduced Cabello by highlighting their long friendship before the pair performed the song together.
The collaboration was particularly fitting for the LOOP Tour because Sheeran’s concerts have increasingly incorporated special musical moments alongside his standard set.
Cabello’s appearance was not part of the advertised opening lineup, however. She was a surprise guest rather than one of the scheduled supporting artists.
Why the MetLife Lineup Stood Out
The strength of the MetLife lineup came from the variety of artists.
BIIRD represented the newer end of the bill, while Lukas Graham brought established pop songwriting and Macklemore delivered a high-energy hip-hop set.
Sheeran then took over as the headline performer with a show built around guitar, vocals, looping technology, visual production and songs spanning his career.
This type of multi-artist stadium lineup can turn a headline concert into an all-evening event.
Fans arriving early could experience several distinct performances before the main show, while those primarily interested in Sheeran had a clear headline set to anticipate later in the night.
How MetLife Fits Into the 2026 LOOP Tour
The New Jersey concerts were part of Sheeran’s extensive 2026 North American stadium schedule.
The North American leg began in June and includes major stadiums across the United States and Canada.
After the two MetLife performances, Sheeran’s schedule moves to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on September 19, followed by two concerts at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on September 25 and September 26.
The supporting lineup changes at some later stops.
For several upcoming North American dates, Macklemore and Lukas Graham remain on the bill, while Aaron Rowe replaces BIIRD as another support act.
That means fans should not assume that the MetLife supporting lineup applies to every LOOP Tour performance.
A Major Night for New Jersey Fans
MetLife Stadium has become an important destination for major international touring artists, and Sheeran’s two-night engagement added another significant concert event to the venue’s 2026 calendar.
Playing two consecutive nights at a stadium of this size also reflects the continuing demand for Sheeran’s live performances.
His previous Mathematics Tour established him as one of the world’s most successful stadium performers, and the LOOP Tour builds on that momentum with a new production and material from Play.
The MetLife shows offered fans both scale and familiarity, combining new songs with tracks that have become staples of Sheeran’s live performances.
What Fans Remembered From the MetLife Shows
While the opening acts provided much of the evening’s buildup, Sheeran’s headline set remained the central attraction.
The reported September 4 performance lasted approximately three hours and included more than 30 songs and segments.
The set moved between the main stage and B-stage, creating a more dynamic experience for spectators throughout the stadium.
Songs such as “The A Team,” “Lego House,” “Photograph,” “Thinking Out Loud” and “Perfect” provided nostalgic moments, while newer material from Play showed where Sheeran’s current musical direction is heading.
The surprise “Bam Bam” performance with Cabello added another layer to an already extensive show.
What the Ed Sheeran Openers MetLife Lineup Means for Fans
For anyone searching for the Ed Sheeran openers MetLife, the answer is straightforward: BIIRD, Lukas Graham and Macklemore were the scheduled supporting performers for both September 4 and September 5.
The lineup gave the concerts a broad musical range before Sheeran’s arrival.
BIIRD opened the event, Lukas Graham followed, and Macklemore performed in the final support position.
Meanwhile, Sheeran’s own set delivered a combination of new songs, classic hits and special moments, including the surprise appearance from Camila Cabello.
Final Thoughts
Ed Sheeran’s two-night MetLife Stadium engagement delivered much more than a standard headline concert. The combination of BIIRD, Lukas Graham and Macklemore gave fans three distinct opening performances, while Sheeran’s extensive LOOP Tour set brought together music from Play and some of his biggest career successes.
The surprise appearance by Camila Cabello made the September 4 concert particularly memorable, turning the performance of “Bam Bam” into one of the night’s standout moments.
With the LOOP Tour continuing through North America, Sheeran’s MetLife shows also offered a preview of the large-scale production and evolving setlist fans can expect at upcoming stadium dates.
Which Ed Sheeran song would you most want to hear live, and which opening act would you have arrived early to see? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for more concert updates.