Nigerian superstar Burna Boy has reportedly cancelled five arena shows scheduled for late 2025 in the United States, after promoters cited “low ticket sales” and “early refunds” as the reason for the abrupt decision.
The cancellations come amid widespread speculation that demand for the shows plummeted after a concert incident went viral, during a November 12 performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, Burna Boy stopped mid-set to eject a couple he claimed were sleeping, a move that triggered outrage on social media and reportedly dampened ticket sales in subsequent cities.
Just a few months ago, Burna Boy had rolled out the North American leg of his No Sign of Weakness Tour — a 16-plus city heavy schedule stretching from November 2025 to mid-January 2026, with venues including Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Washington DC and Toronto.
Now, as arenas in Boston, Washington, DC and Atlanta have reportedly removed his concerts from their calendars, fans and industry watchers are left speculating whether this is a temporary stumble or a bigger signal about changing appetite — and higher standards — for global-stage Afrobeats shows.
At a time when Afrobeats is going global and the world is watching African artists more than ever, the sudden cancellations raise pressing questions about the pressures of touring, artist behavior, and what it takes to convert streaming hype into real-life ticket sales.
