Ed Sheeran Surprises Taylor Swift Fans at Wembley During Eras Tour
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour made a grand return to London’s Wembley Stadium on Thursday night, and she brought along a special guest to mark the occasion—her close friend, Ed Sheeran. As Swift kicked off the final European leg of her tour, Sheeran joined her on stage for a memorable performance that thrilled the 92,000-strong crowd.
The duo performed their well-loved collaborations, “Everything Has Changed” and “End Game.” Swift expressed her gratitude to Sheeran for taking time out of his busy schedule to share the stage with her, describing him as “one of my best friends in the world.” The surprise appearance came during the acoustic portion of the show, where Sheeran’s presence was met with an explosion of cheers from the audience.
This concert marked Swift’s first performance since the unfortunate cancellation of her Vienna shows last week due to a terror threat. Additionally, it was her first time back in the UK since a tragic incident in Southport last month, where three children lost their lives at a Swift-themed dance class. Although Swift did not address these events during her performance, it has been reported by the BBC that she reached out privately to the families affected by the Southport tragedy.
Clad in her signature pastel pink and blue leotard, reminiscent of her Lover era, Swift opened the show with her usual high energy. Security was notably tighter at the venue, with new measures in place, including a ban on non-ticket holders from loitering outside the stadium, a practice fans had dubbed “Tay-gating.” Fans were also reminded of Wembley’s strict bag policies.
Throughout the night, Swift delivered an electrifying set that spanned her entire career, featuring 46 songs, 16 costume changes, and a runtime exceeding three hours. Despite the packed setlist, she made time to connect with the audience, expressing how overwhelming the crowd’s energy was and how much she would miss performing in front of such large groups.
Swift’s interactions remained mostly on-script, aside from her heartfelt acknowledgment of Sheeran’s effort to join her on stage. After performing “Thinking Out Loud” with Sheeran, she thanked him for his dedication, noting that he’s currently on tour himself and likely exhausted, but still made the effort to perform for her fans.
The concert ended with Swift’s signature surprise songs, which often give fans insight into her current state of mind. On this occasion, she chose “King of My Heart” from Reputation and “The Alchemy” from her latest album The Tortured Poets Department. While these selections didn’t hint at her emotions, they highlighted the vastness of her musical repertoire.
Swift’s return to Wembley was part of a larger UK and Ireland tour leg that has already seen her perform in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, and Dublin. The Wembley shows, which run until Tuesday, are set to break a record for the number of performances at the venue, equaling a milestone previously set by Take That in 2011.
As Swift continues her global journey, the Eras Tour remains an unforgettable experience for fans, with more surprises likely in store as she prepares to wrap up the tour later this year with shows in the US and Canada.
