VIENNA, Austria — Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated concerts in Vienna this week were abruptly canceled due to a confirmed security threat, Austrian officials announced late Wednesday. The decision came after the government revealed a planned attack at the Ernst Happel Stadium, prompting swift action from law enforcement.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed relief that “a tragedy was prevented,” crediting the early identification of the threat to the collaborative efforts of Austria’s Directorate for Security and Intelligence (DSN) and foreign services. In a post on the social media platform X, he emphasized the importance of proactive measures in thwarting potential violence.
The event organizer, Barracuda.music, confirmed the cancellations in an Instagram post, stating, “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 organization assured fans that all tickets would be automatically refunded.
Authorities detained two suspects on Wednesday, with police director Franz Ruf detailing at a news conference that one of the suspects, a 19-year-old Austrian citizen, had shown a particular interest in the Swift concerts. This individual reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. A second suspect was also arrested in Vienna, while searches of their residences yielded further evidence, prompting a search for additional accomplices.
Earlier in the day, police had indicated that the concerts would proceed with heightened security measures, including increased entry checks and the deployment of anti-terror and bomb disposal units. The public had been advised to arrive early, as officials anticipated around 65,000 attendees per show, along with up to 15,000 additional fans outside the stadium.
The concerts were part of Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, which kicked off in March 2023 and is set to conclude in December 2024 in Vancouver, Canada. Swift, 34, has been captivating European audiences, with pundits predicting significant economic benefits from her sold-out performances across the continent.
As of now, Swift has not commented on the cancellations via her official Instagram account, which boasts 283 million followers. Following her Vienna shows, she is scheduled to perform six concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium starting on August 15.
The safety of concertgoers remains paramount as authorities continue their investigation into the foiled attack, ensuring that events like Swift’s can proceed without fear of violence.
