Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium is a go.
The Brit singer-songwriter’s two shows, Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11, will proceed according to schedule, according to MetLife Stadium, despite the air quality emergency caused by Canadian wild fires.
“The concerts remain on schedule for this weekend,” said the stadium in an advisory on Thursday, June 8. “We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed.”
The low-pressure system causing southerly winds to push the smoke from forest fires in Quebec down to New Jersey and much of the Northeast was forecasted to move on Saturday, said John Cristantello, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Brookhaven, New York.
The state’s air quality began improving late Thursday morning after reaching hazardous conditions Wednesday from an unprecedented amount of smoke that descended on the region from the forest fires. Pollution levels were still very high midday Thursday, and the state was under a red alert.
The Sheeran shows are part of the North American leg of his “+ – = ÷ x Tour,” aka “The Mathematics Tour.” Khalid and Dylan are also on the bill of the in-the-round shows. Sheeran’s set runs about two hours and 15 minutes, and he usually comes on about 8 p.m.
Look out on Friday, June 9, as Sheeran has been playing theaters before his stadium shows on the tour, although it’s not known if the air quality emergency will hinder this — or if he planned to hit one in the Jersey area.
Sheeran played The Met in Philadelphia before his shows at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly.
“Playing theatres all summer the day before I do the big stadium shows,” said Sheeran on social media. “I love the contrast of playing an intimate venue then playing the next day to such big crowds, variety is the spice of life and all that. See ya in a city near you this summer.”
Tickets for both shows, starting at $75 before fees, are available at MetLife.
Check out our Ed Sheeran at MetLife Everything You Need to Know below, compiled from information provided by MetLife and our reporting.
Event schedule
Parking lots open: 1 p.m.
Gates open: 4:30 p.m.
Event starts: 6 p.m. (Ed Sheeran takes the stage approximately 8 p.m. and the show ends approximately 10:30 p.m.)
More:When will the Canada wildfire smoke clear from North Jersey? See the forecast
Parking/transportation
Address: 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford
Parking lots open: 1 p.m.
Day of event parking cost: $40 per car; $160 per Bus/RV.
Parking directions: metlifestadium.com/getting-here/directions
Rideshare: Designated rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.) pick-up/drop-off location is in Lot E. Rideshare surge pricing is often in effect after the event. Larger crowds will result in longer than usual wait times for a car to arrive (can be up to 1½ hour wait). Make sure your phone is charged and ready to go if you’re planning to use one of these servicesNon-rideshare pick-up/drop-off: Located on the roadway between Lots D & E, or in Lot I near the Giants Training Center. If dropping off, please return to pick-up by 10:15 p.m. to avoid exiting traffic.
More:What exit for zombies?: AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ filmed in New Jersey
NJ TRANSIT TRAIN: Trains will operate between Secaucus Junction and MetLife Stadium on the BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line starting at 3:57 p.m. on the day of the show. Check njtransit.com/meadowlands for complete rail timetables. After the concert, the last train from MetLife Stadium to Secaucus will not depart Meadowlands Station any earlier than 1 a.m. Visit njtransit.com/meadowlands for more info.
COACH USA BUS: Bus service will begin 3 p.m. from Area X (41st Street between 8th and 9th avenues, New York City) at Port Authority on the day of the show. The last departing bus from Port Authority to MetLife Stadium will leave at 6 p.m.. The last bus will leave the stadium 60 minutes after the concert ends. Cost is $14 for the round trip. Visit here for more information.
Tailgating
Tailgating policy: Tailgating is permitted but drones, model aircraft, kites and any other remote-controlled or tethered flying objects are not permitted. Tailgating should be limited to the lined parking space and the area directly behind or in front of each vehicle. Blocking drive lanes is prohibited. Tailgating is also permitted on the medians that separate the parking lots from the roadways. Visit here for details.
Tickets
Box Office/Ticketmaster Will-Call: Located at trailer outside MetLife Gate; opens at 1 p.m. Check your tickets and make sure you have the correct ticket date in hand. Barcodes for ticket scanning will appear on mobile tickets 8 hours prior to the event
General Admission “GA” tickets: GA ticketholders who arrive before the stadium gates are open may line up beginning at 1 p.m. The line queue is outside the HCL Tech Gate next to the NJ Transit Train Station. There is no early access associated with the Sheeran shows. Guests with GA tickets who arrive after stadium gates are open can enter at any gate and proceed to the HCL Tech Plaza, inside the stadium gates, for GA entry.
Mobile Ticketing: Your ticket must be displayed on your phone to enter the event. Tickets will not be emailed or available to print. Please have your mobile ticket downloaded before you enter the security line.
How To Display Mobile Tickets On Your Phone: Download the Ticketmaster App and find your mobile tickets in “My Events,” and add them to your phone’s wallet. Send tickets directly to everyone else in your party before entering the stadium. Display your mobile ticket at entry.
Carry-in policy
Guests are welcome to carry-in the following items into MetLife Stadium:
Clear bags that are 12-by-6-by-12 inches or less in size (1 bag per person)
Small purses/handbags (clutch-type bags) that are 4.5-by-6.5 inches or less in size (1 per person)
Food of any kind that is contained in a clear plastic bag
Factory-sealed, plastic bottles of water or soft drinks that are 20 ounces or less in size (caps will be removed by Safety Services team members)
Reusable water bottles (both plastic and aluminum). Bottles must be empty upon entry.
Still-photography cameras with a lens that is 6 inches or less in length not contained in a case
Hand-carried jackets, blankets or other items, which will be patted down or searched
Official national flags that can reasonably be hand-held by a single person and do not obstruct the view of other guests (no sticks or poles)
Small handheld portable phone chargers
All bags and other permissible items will be subject to multiple screenings prior to entering MetLife Stadium.
The following items are not permitted to be carried into MetLife Stadium:
Any type of non-clear bag exceeding 4.5-by-6.5 inches in size, including purses/handbags, camera or binocular cases, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, and briefcases/computer bags
Battery-operated clothing (socks, jackets, etc.)
Seat cushions of any size, except those for medical needs
Glass bottles, cans, coolers of any kind, thermoses or ice chests
Alcohol of any kind
Banners and signs of any size (unless otherwise noted on individual event page)
Flags that are not the official flag of a country, ones that are displayed on a stick or a pole or cannot reasonably be hand-held by a single person
Umbrellas,, strollers, laser pointers and balls of any kind, including full-sized footballs
Drones
Single purpose video cameras or still-photography cameras with a lens longer than 6 inches
Weapons, including firearms, knives and any item that may be used as a projectile or one that is deemed dangerous by Stadium management
Any animal with the exception of a service animal
Adult-sized football helmets with facemasks
Any other item deemed inappropriate by Stadium management.
Search procedures
To ensure the highest level of safety and security, all guests will be subject to a courteous screening by Safety Services team members prior to entering the Stadium. All vehicles are subject to inspection prior to entering the MetLife Sports Complex, and all bags will be inspected prior to entering the Stadium.
Sensory inclusion
MetLife Stadium has partnered with Kulture City in an effort to provide a more inclusive and comfortable experience for our guests with sensory processing needs. Our team members are trained and certified to recognize opportunities to assist these guests in their enjoyment of our events. We also offer sensory bags containing noise-cancelling headphones brought to you by Bose, fidget toys and weighted lap pads, among other resources for checkout at any Guest Service Booth or Concierge Desk located through the Stadium. Contact our Guest Services Department at 201-559-1515 for more information.
Reverse ATMs
MetLife Stadium is now a cash-free venue for all concession and retail locations. Cash is not accepted at concession stands or retail locations. For guests who bring cash to the stadium, reverse ATMs are available onsite to load cash onto a prepaid Visa debit card valid for in-stadium purchases. This service is free. The Visa debit card has no expiration date and can be used anywhere a Visa debit card is accepted. Reverse ATMs are located in MetLife West Hall and sections 117, 128, 149, 220a, 245a, 304, 322, 334 and 347.
Additional event info
Stadium Social Links: Facebook Twitter Instagram
Website: metlifestadium.com
WiFi: Connect to the Free WiFi network: #MetLifeStadium_Free_WiFi
Stadium Map: Visit here
Guest Services Hotline: 201-559-1515
Guest Text Messaging Service: Guests who wish to report issues or concerns, ask for information or call for assistance in a fast, easy and convenient way can do so by texting our GuestASSIST text message service. Guests should address the text message to 78247, type the word MLS followed by a space, the request issue and location. Stadium personnel will respond quickly and accordingly.
Visit the MetLife Stadium A-Z Guide at metlifestadium.com/guest-services/a-z-guide for more information.
Reporter Scott Fallon contributed to this story.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; [email protected]