Taylor Swift’s Vienna Concerts Canceled Amid Security Concerns Following Arrests
Vienna Concerts by Taylor Swift Canceled Due to Arrests in Alleged Terror Plot
On Wednesday, two men were reportedly arrested for allegedly planning a terror attack in Austria. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Vienna, Austria, have been canceled following the arrest of two men on Wednesday for allegedly planning a terror attack.
In a statement shared with ET by the singer’s representative, Barracuda Music announced, “With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.” The statement further notes, “All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days.”
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Austrian authorities announced on Wednesday that a 19-year-old Austrian citizen and another suspect had been arrested. Franz Ruf, the director-general for public safety in the Ministry of the Interior, stated that the suspects had allegedly radicalized themselves online.
Their planned attack reportedly targeted Vienna Concerts a, with the 19-year-old suspect specifically focusing on Swift’s concerts at the Ernst Happel Stadium. Vienna was set to be the final stop of the singer’s latest European leg of her record-breaking tour. Swift will return to the stage on October 18 to begin another North American leg at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. While most shows have proceeded without incident, Swift did pause her concert in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 9 to assist a concertgoer who appeared to be in need.
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Wednesday after officials revealed the arrest of suspects involved in an alleged plot to target events in the Vienna Concerts area, including the concerts. Swift was set to perform at the Austrian capital’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as part of her Eras Tour. Barracuda Music, the event organiser, announced late on Wednesday that “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety” in a post on its Instagram page. The “confirmation” of a planned attack at the stadium by government officials was mentioned.
Authorities announced earlier on Wednesday that they had detained two individuals they suspected of being extremists; one of them seemed to be preparing an attack on a Vienna-area event, possibly one of the upcoming concerts. In Ternitz, south of Vienna, the principal suspect, a 19-year-old, was taken into custody; the second suspect was taken into custody in Vienna. According to Ruf, the 19-year-old took an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State organisation.
It’s thought that the Austrian national radicalised himself online. Ruf stated that chemical materials had been secured and were undergoing assessment. He withheld further information. Hours after officials announced they would be stepping up security for the Swift concerts, the cancellation was announced. Ruf stated that among other things, entry checks would receive extra attention and that attendees should allow a little more time for their plans. Vienna police chief Gerhard Pürstl said at the same time that, while any concrete danger had been minimized, an abstract risk justified raising security. Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer wrote on social media platform X that “all fans in Austria are bitterly disappointed by the organisers’ cancellation of the Taylor Swift concerts.”
He wrote, “There was a very serious situation surrounding the apparently planned terror attack in Vienna.” However, he went on to say that “the threat could be recognised early on, tackled, and a tragedy prevented” because of the close collaboration between Austrian, foreign, and police intelligence.
“All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days,” according to Barracuda Music. Swift’s official website. had the same text under the Vienna dates.