Brief
Kanye West’s St. Petersburg concerts cancelled after political backlash
The Moscow‑based promoter Say Agency announced the cancellation of Kanye West’s Oct. 10‑11 shows in St. Petersburg, citing political pressure and venue disputes.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kanye “Ye” West’s two sold‑out concerts scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11 at Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg have been cancelled, Say Agency said in a Telegram post on Thursday.
What happened
The promoter, which had been negotiating with the venue for weeks, confirmed that the shows will not go ahead and did not say whether they will be rescheduled.
What the reports add
The Hollywood Reporter noted that the arena initially praised West as “the most influential musical artist of our time,” but in August announced no contract had been signed and disavowed responsibility for the booking. The report also said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the gigs “unacceptable” because of West’s past comments glorifying Hitler, and State Duma deputy Nikolay Novichkov urged a probe and cancellation to prevent perceived support for the war in Ukraine.
What was said
Say Agency wrote, “Friends, it is with sincere regret that we inform you that the Ye concerts in St. Petersburg on the scheduled dates will not be able to take place,” and promised an official statement on future plans.
How it came about
The cancellation follows months of back‑and‑forth between the promoter and the stadium, heightened by political criticism of West’s history of antisemitic remarks and the broader politicisation of his 2026 tour.
Key facts
- Kanye West’s concerts in St. Petersburg were scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11, 2026. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Say Agency announced the cancellation via Telegram on Oct. 2, 2026. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Russian officials criticised West’s past comments glorifying Hitler, influencing the decision. (hollywoodreporter.com)
