Taylor Swift’s scheduled concerts in Vienna have been canceled following the announcement of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium. This decision was made by local concert promoter Barracuda Music, who confirmed the cancellations for the safety of all attendees.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized the seriousness of the security threat in a social media post, stating, “We have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.” Swift was set to perform on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The promoter has indicated that all ticket holders will receive automatic refunds within the next ten business days.
Earlier on Wednesday, officials at the Vienna Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed the arrest of two suspects believed to be planning attacks on major events, including Taylor Swift’s concerts. According to Franz Ruf, the director general for public security, one of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, had shown particular interest in the concerts and had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
Following the arrests, police searched the home of one suspect in Ternitz, Lower Austria, with local media reporting that three additional suspects remain at large. Nehammer expressed disappointment over the cancellations, describing the situation as a bitter loss for Swift’s fans in Austria, but also praised the emergency services for their swift response.
Initially, security measures were set to be increased for the shows, but ultimately the decision was made to cancel the performances. This marks the first time that any of Swift’s 126 Eras Tour concerts have been canceled due to security concerns, though she has previously postponed some shows because of adverse weather.
Fans who had planned to attend the Vienna concerts have expressed their heartbreak over the cancellations, with many taking to social media to share their feelings. Some fans had traveled great distances in anticipation of the shows and were left devastated by the sudden news.
As part of the refund process, those who purchased tickets through StubHub will receive a 120% voucher for a future purchase, or they may request a full cash refund directly from their StubHub wallets. Barracuda Music has assured fans that full refunds will be processed in a timely manner.
This incident marks the second violent occurrence related to Taylor Swift’s events in recent weeks, following a tragic stabbing in the U.K. at a Taylor Swift-themed class for children, which resulted in the deaths of three kids and injuries to ten others. Swift expressed her shock and sorrow over that incident as well, reinforcing her commitment to fan safety during her tours.