Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics World Tour | Auckland and Seattle
In January 2026, Ed Sheeran played his Loop Pedal show at Go Smart stadium in Auckland. It was the first stop on his Loop Pedal World Tour. This was the third and fourth times; I’ve seen him live. Spontaneity on night 2 with my friend, added to the count. I went to his Mathematics World Tour in Auckland and in Seattle in 2023. He’s not your usual performer. He’s high-energy, a hundred percent, but his tours and his style of putting on a show is so different. You’ve probably already seen the videos about how he uses his loop pedal at every single show for his music. Pure talent.
Opening night Loop Pedal tour 2026
I wanted to write this blog and talk about the similarities or differences that I noticed at the Ed Sheeran concert in the two different geographical locations. He played his Mathematics World Tour at Eden Park. I love that Eden Park has become a major concert venue. There’s just a different vibe in attending any event at New Zealand’s national stadium. I love it for a multitude of reasons, and the biggest one being the transport accessibility. The ease of taking the train for free to and from the concert. Don’t quote me on the exact numbers, but he did sell out both his shows in Auckland. That’s roughly 50,000 patrons each night, and with shows on two nights, that’s 100,000 patrons.
Mathematics world tour at Eden Park 2023
Let’s look at the number of patrons in Seattle. Ed played several shows, including a massive headline at Lumen Field, and an intimate show (if memory serves me right). Lumen Field was a sold-out show with 81,000 patrons attending. I remember very clearly when he talked about his song “A Team” and how when he first released it, hardly anyone wanted to hear it. He played it at empty bars night after night, and no one took notice. But that night 81,000 people were there to hear him sing it. Chills, literal chills. Whilst I didn’t take the public transport in Seattle to get to the show, what I did learn was that in the States, given how big that stadium is, the parking is also sold to patrons.
Mathematics World Tour at Lumen Field 2023
Most of the other production elements were the same, with obvious differences. The openers for Ed in New Zealand were Kaylee Bell and Maisie Peters followed by Ed’s two-hour set. In Seattle, his openers were Khalid and Maisie Peters. Ed Sheeran is known for bringing surprise artists out. They are usually those who are from the city he’s performing in. So, at the Seattle show we had the bonus of hearing a couple of tracks from Macklemore. At both shows, Ed’s entry on to the stage was the same, he came up on to the stage. Whilst I don’t quite recall his exit in Auckland, in Seattle, at the end of his show, he walked down the stage as everyone ran to him. To be fair, his entry on to the stage for the Loop Tour is to walk on to the stage, so if you’re in front GA you’re in luck.
Egressing at Eden Park seemed smoother given the number of exits there are. At Lumen Field it was a bit harder as a significant portion of the 81,000 patrons had to exit from the same gate. Other than people traffic both stadiums had a very smooth entry/exit process. I loved attending both the shows.
Prior to attending my first concert in the States, I had never thought much about attending concerts overseas. I did look into options when I knew an artist that I liked was touring a city I would be travelling to, but mostly the dates clashed, or our plans did. I think when I go travelling next, I might more actively try and attend shows in those cities/countries. It would be a great learning experience.
What’s your favourite show you’ve been to and where was it?
Until next time,
Mili
