Pop superstar Ed Sheeran kicks off the first of his Loop Tour New Zealand shows at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium on Friday night. 

He’s bringing with him the biggest ever screen built in New Zealand and a barrage of hits. 

Are you one of the thousands heading along on Friday or Saturday for a Sing? Here’s what you need to know to have a Perfect night, from when and how to get there, to how to get your own temporary Ed tattoo. 

Entry times, merch stalls and box office 

Gates at Go Media Stadium in Penrose open at 4pm, with the show starting at 5.15pm. Those arriving for the 5.15 time will have the opportunity to experience opening acts Vance Joy (of Riptide fame), Mia Wray, Biird, before Sheeran takes to the stage. 

The merch tents outside of Go Media Stadium will be open from 2pm. This is also the time the box office will be open, where you can purchase tickets (still available for both nights) or sort out any ticketing issues. This will be located at Gate B. 

The event is expected to end at approximately 11pm. As with all shows, timings are subject to change. 

Make sure to carefully look at your ticket to find the correct entry point. There will be signs to help direct you to the correct gate, as well as staff to help you if you are unsure. Auckland Stadiums also has a digital wayfinding app on its website that people can access for extra help finding their way around Go Media Stadium. 

Singer Vance Joy will open for Ed Sheeran. Photo / Hanna Lassen 

Parking and road closures 

There is no on-site parking available at Go Media Stadium, and patrons are encouraged to use public transport (although see our note about train travel below). 

There will be road closures around the stadium: Beasley Ave (5am-midnight), Maurice Rd, O’Rorke Rd, Station Rd, Fairfax Ave, Olive Rd, Walls Rd (3pm-midnight). 

Parking restrictions are in place too: Beasley Ave (until January 18, 1am), O’Rorke Rd, Station Rd, Fairfax Ave, Olive Rd, Walls Rd and Rockfield Rd (January 16, 2.30pm-January 18, 1pm). 

People who live in these areas can provide valid proof of address to get through, and any mobility parking queries can be directed to [email protected]. 

Getting there 

There will be no trains running on both days, with buses replacing trains, but bus and ferry transport is free from 3.30pm with your event ticket. People are encouraged to download the AT Journey Planner App to map their best route to Go Media Stadium. 

Special event buses will leave from the CBD between 3-7.30pm from 120 Quay St. After the concert, they will run until crowds are clear from the stadium, departing from Station Rd and dropping off in the city on Custom St West (opposite H&M). 

If you’re keen to look like the man himself, a pop-up Ed’s Tattoo Parlour will be running at the Penrose special event bus hub, where a temporary tattoos and glitter station will be set up. 

For those not taking public transport or driving, there are also two taxi and rideshare drop-off and pick-up zones – one between 150-167 Rockfield Rd, and another between 312-334 Church St. 

Sheeran's heart has a special place in New Zealand. 

What you can, should and can’t bring 

While Sheeran may see fire in his song, it’s strictly off limits at Go Media Stadium, which is a smoke and vape-free venue. 

No bags larger than A4 size (21cm x 30cm) are allowed inside the stadium, and for those in GA, no camping chairs either. If your bag is too big, gates A, B & C all have bag drops. 

Alcohol, drugs, fireworks and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited. 

Everyone except for those in the Front GA section can bring in plastic bottles up to 750ml, both disposable and reusable. All lids will be removed and discarded upon entry, but no metal bottles will be allowed in. There will be plenty of free water stations around the venue to refill bottles. 

Want to give Sheeran a shoutout? Your card, paper or fabric signs and banners will be allowed in, provided they aren’t larger than A3, don’t block the view of patrons and aren’t on a pole. 

Texting ‘ASSIST’ to 260 followed by your location at any time during the shows will alert staff to come help with mobility, security and wayfinding assistance. 

Weather 

Hopefully, the man with the golden voice will Stop The Rain, but it never hurts to come prepared for all types of Auckland weather, especially if you’re in the uncovered GA areas. 

Both Friday and Saturday look set for morning cloud clearing for afternoon sun. Temperatures range between 16-26C, so it would be wise to slip, slop, slap for the afternoon UV rays if you’re arriving early. 

Setlist 

While these shows are the first Loop Tour outings of 2026, Sheeran has already given an indication of the songs we might hear after releasing a special playlist through Apple Music below: 

• You Need Me, I Don’t Need You 
• Sapphire 
• Castle on the Hill  
• Shivers 
• The A Team 
• Don’t  
• Galway Girl 
• Nancy Mulligan 
• Old Phone 
• Heaven 
• Photograph 
• Thinking Out Loud 
• Perfect 
• Shape of You 
• Azizam 
• Bad Habits 

The singer also posted to social media that there will be five “request” slots, where audience members can text a number on the screen before the show to suggest a song for him to sing. 

Perhaps we might see some Lorde, Six60 or Crowded House covered if people are keen to hear Sheeran cover some Kiwi classics. 

Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald’s entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke’s Bay Today.