Ed Sheeran to perform in Tampa for NFL season kickoff

The NFL announced this morning that Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran will perform in Tampa before the NFL’s season kickoff game between defending Super Bowl champs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 9.

Sheeran will be performing as part of the 2021 Kickoff Experience, presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 22 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. He’s set to perform at 7 p.m. It will air on NBC and during the NFL Network’s pregame coverage. A full stream will be available on the NFL’s Facebook page, nfl.com and the NFL app.

The Kickoff Experience begins at noon and includes football-themed interactive games, photo opportunities and other activities throughout the day. A watch party happens after Sheeran’s performance. Admission is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The NFL OnePass app is required for admission and will be available in the coming weeks.

The Shape of You singer made the announcement on NBC’s Today this morning, telling host Erin McLaughlin “... Yeah, I’m really excited. First time I’ve done anything really musically for the NFL, and I’m a big fan.”

“It’s a big moment for me,” he added.

Sheeran also took to Instagram to share the news with a video, in which he playfully opens and closes his guitar case as the NFL theme song plays from it. The jerseys of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Bucs quarterback Tom Brady hang in the background.

Sheeran commented on the post, “Someone sent me these jerseys and now this is happening…”

“Catch me in Tampa at NFL #Kickoff2021 for a special performance prior to the season opener on Thursday, Sept 9. @nfl @snfonnbc @eamaddennfl,” he wrote in another comment.

“See you in 34 days 👀🏈🎤,” the NFL commented on the post.

Tickets for the game are available at ticketmaster.com. The Raymond James Stadium ticket office is only open on event days. On Sept. 9 the ticket office will open at 5:20 p.m. and is located in the South Plaza between gates C and D.