Ed Sheeran Tour Opener Contest Flooded With Pro-Palestine Entries

Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour has become the center of a heated debate after Guitar Center launched a contest to find an opening act for his December 11 show in Mexico City. The competition, part of the retailer’s Open for Legends program, invites unsigned musicians to submit performance videos for a chance to perform live. However, the contest has been flooded with pro-Palestine entries, many of which are memes or political statements rather than legitimate musical submissions.

The contest opened on September 14, the same day Macklemore was removed from Sheeran’s tour after making onstage statements in support of Palestine. The rapper’s dismissal, reportedly influenced by tour promoter and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, led to a wave of backlash. All of Sheeran’s remaining opening acts—including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and Aaron Rowe—withdrew in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine, leaving the tour without support acts for its upcoming dates.

How the Contest Works

Guitar Center’s Open for Legends contest is open to amateur and independent musicians aged 18 and older with a valid U.S. passport and live performance experience. Entrants must submit a video of themselves performing a song by October 7. The winner will open for Sheeran at Foro Sol in Mexico City on December 11, the final date of his Loop Tour after a previously scheduled show was canceled.

• Deadline: October 7
• Eligibility: U.S. residents, 18+, live performance experience
• Prize: Opening slot for Ed Sheeran in Mexico City
• Submission: Video performance via Guitar Center’s contest page

Controversy and Backlash

The contest’s timing has drawn criticism, as it launched amid the fallout from Macklemore’s removal. Many entrants have submitted non-musical videos expressing support for Palestine, with some directly criticizing Sheeran and Kraft. Guitar Center has since removed these entries, stating that only legitimate musical submissions will be considered.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, the company acknowledged the issue but insisted the contest was planned months in advance. "As with any open submission process, we received entries that were not legitimate applications," the statement read. "Those submissions will not be considered so that the opportunity can remain focused on musicians who are seeking to showcase their talent."

Sheeran’s tour resumes this weekend in Philadelphia, where a heavy police presence is expected. With no confirmed opening acts, the contest winner could be his only support in Mexico City—assuming Guitar Center can sift through the submissions in time.

Why This Matters for Fans

For aspiring musicians, this contest remains a rare opportunity to perform on a global stage. However, the controversy surrounding Sheeran’s tour has overshadowed the competition, raising questions about free speech, corporate influence, and artist solidarity. Fans attending the Mexico City show may see an unknown act take the stage, adding an unpredictable element to the final date of the Loop Tour.

For those considering entering, Guitar Center has made it clear that only genuine musical submissions will be judged. The contest’s outcome could also signal how the music industry navigates political tensions moving forward.