With just his loop pedal and acoustic guitar, Ed Sheeran will serenade Tampa Bay at the NFL season kickoff game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 9.
The NFL announced this morning that the 30-year-old songwriter will perform at 7 p.m. in the 2021 Kickoff Experience at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. The Kickoff Experience, presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 22, begins at noon and features football-themed interactive games and photo opportunities.
The kickoff experience is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The NFL OnePass app is required for admission. His performance will air on NBC, on the NFL Network’s pregame coverage and on a live stream at the NFL’s Facebook page, website and app.
Tickets for the game are sold at ticketmaster.com and the Raymond James Stadium ticket office between gates C and D in the South Plaza. The office opens at 5:20 p.m. on Sept. 9.
The Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter told NBC’s Today host Erin McLaughlin that the performance is a big moment for him. “Yeah, I’m really excited,” he said. “First time I’ve done anything really musically for the NFL, and I’m a big fan.”
Sheeran proved his fan status in an Instagram post, where the NFL theme song sounds from his guitar case as he opens it. Not to mention, a Tom Brady jersey hangs in the background, which he said someone gifted to him.
Ed Sheeran last performed in Tampa to a sold-out crowd at the Raymond James Stadium in 2018.
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