Three of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour gigs in Austria have been canceled following news of a planned terrorist attack where the main suspect had reportedly planned to kill “as many people as possible,” new reports show.
The global pop superstar was set to take over Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium From Thursday through Saturday, however, government officials revealed that two men had been arrested in connection to an alleged planned terrorist attack.
Promoter Barracuda Music shared the news Wednesday.
”With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium,” the promoter said, “we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety.”
All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days, the promoter said. No rescheduled dates have been announced.
The two suspects were ‘radicalized by the internet,’ General Director for Public Security in Austria, Franz Ruf, confirmed.
Officials said a 19-year-old Austrian citizen was arrested in Ternitz in the province of Lower Austria, while a second arrest was made in Vienna. It is understood the 19-year-old had made ‘an oath of allegiance’ to the Islamic State at the start of last month. According to CNN, the men had “concrete preparatory measures” for a terrorist attack after police suspected explosives were stored at the home of the suspect in Ternitz.
On Thursday, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, held a press conference and noted that the 19-year-old main suspect had fully confessed to attack plans during an interrogation. According to Haijawi-Pirchner, the suspect was “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State” and allegedly intended to kill himself, along with “as many people as possible.”
Ruf said the suspect had been preparing for the attack since July; he changed his appearance and was researching bomb-making techniques. The 17-year-old suspect was employed just a few days ago at a facility company providing services to the concert venue, Haijawi-Pirchner said, noting that the suspect would have been working there. During the investigation, officials found he was on the grounds of the stadium.
On Thursday night, a third person was detained by Austrian authorities — an unnamed 18-year-old man. No further details were reported regarding the third suspect, or which charges he might face.
Across the three days, 65,000 Swifties were expected to attend, with another 22,000 expected to listen from outside of the stadium.
While fans were disappointed of the show was cancelled, they were still trying to make the best of the weekend. One would-be concertgoer, Colleen Boltz, told ABC News that she still planned on going to Vienna and “participating in the Swiftie gatherings.”
“I’m meeting up with Swifties that I met online and it will still be a blast,” Boltz said.
Two Swifties from the U.K. traveled for the show, and noted in a post on X that they built their summer vacation around Swift’s concert.
“Two devastated girls here, but pragmatic about being kept safe from terrorism,” the fans said. “Very sad about the show, but grateful to have come on holiday to this stunning country.”
Swifties in Vienna were seen on Thursday gathered in groups following the news. A church in the city played Swift’s songs, hundreds gathered to sing together, and on Cornelia Street, people traded friendship bracelets.
Taylor Swift’s disappointed fans have gathered in the streets of Vienna to sing and whip together 🥲#TaylorSwift #taylorswiftconcert #TaylorSwiftVienna @taylorswift13 @taylornation13 pic.twitter.com/jIvx6E6DEj
— Ishay (@ishayHil) August 8, 2024
thank you lovely church in #vienna that played Taylor swift songs the day of the first cancelled concert and gave lots of sad swifties a place to gather. Thanks to the police for keeping us all safe! #ViennaTStheErasTour pic.twitter.com/p9eZeIJaeT
— kristi hovington (@kristihov) August 8, 2024
Taylor Swift fans gather in Vienna to sing together after Eras Tour shows were cancelled due to a now-foiled terror plot. pic.twitter.com/p6EhzSRQt1
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 8, 2024
Greetings from Cornelia Street in Vienna, where the Taylor Swift shows have been canceled — and it’s packed with people trading bracelets and singing songs. pic.twitter.com/7fmZP8XOqh
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) August 8, 2024
Swift has not commented on the cancellations at this time. She is scheduled to perform next for a round of five shows at London’s Wembley Stadium. On Thursday, Billboard reported officials in the UK said there would be no indication that the cancelled Vienna shows would have any impact on the London gigs.
This is a developing story. Stay with TicketNews for updates.