The UK's Wireless Festival 2026 has been cancelled after the Home Office denied Kanye West—now Ye—entry to headline the event, amid backlash to his booking reported earlier. Organizers cited the visa refusal and promised full refunds, following sponsor withdrawals and public outcry over West's antisemitic history.
Building on the condemnation from Jewish groups and others after the March 30 headliner announcement, Wireless Festival—set for July 10-12 in London's Finsbury Park—has been forced to cancel. The Home Office rejected West's Electronic Travel Authorisation application on April 6, stating his presence would 'not be conducive to the public good.'
Organizers announced: 'As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel.' They committed to automatic full refunds for ticket holders and noted prior consultations with stakeholders raised no initial concerns.
Backlash intensified with statements from London Mayor Sadiq Khan ('offensive and wrong'), Prime Minister Keir Starmer ('deeply concerning' and 'abhorrent'), celebrities like David Schwimmer ('hate-mongering bigot'), and groups including the Jewish Leadership Council and Campaign Against Antisemitism. Sponsors withdrew: Pepsi (initially approved), Diageo, PayPal, and Rockstar Energy. Festival Republic's Melvin Benn called West's antisemitism 'abhorrent' but suggested 'some forgiveness.'
West responded, offering to meet the UK's Jewish community 'in person, to listen' and emphasizing change through actions, echoing his January Wall Street Journal apology.
