Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Olympiastadion on July 27, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management )
Thomas Niedermueller | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour shows in Vienna have been canceled due to what Austrian police say was a planned terrorist attack targeting the concerts.
“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,” Barracuda Music, an event organizer in the city, posted on Instagram Wednesday evening.
Taylor Nation, an Instagram account affiliated with Swift’s team, reposted the message to its story.
According to the post, all tickets will be refunded and ticket holders can visit a website to request refunds.
Swift’s website also appears to reflect the cancelation. The Vienna shows under the “tour” tab on her website now have a note accompanying the date and location information.
“*All tickets will be automatically refunded within the next 10 business days,” the note says.
Swift has yet to say anything on social media, nor has she confirmed the show cancelations.
Swift was scheduled to perform at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the international leg of The Eras Tour.
Earlier Wednesday, officials said two men were arrested Wednesday in connection with alleged planned attacks at major events in Vienna, Austria, including Swift’s upcoming concerts.
One of the men arrested by Austrian federal and state police was a 19-year-old who allegedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl said at a news conference on Wednesday.
Officials said both men had become radicalized through the internet, and allegedly had specific and detailed plans on how to carry out an attack.
When the 19-year-old was taken into custody, a bomb squad allegedly found chemical substances. Investigators are working to determine if the substances could have been used to build a bomb, authorities said.
Austria’s Cobra unit, which is similar to the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, assisted with the arrests.
A police official said earlier there are no plans to cancel the concerts and told reporters that “the concrete danger has been minimized.” It’s not clear why those plans changed.
Swift has spoken publicly about her concerns of a terror attack at one of her stadium shows. In 2019, she told Elle Magazine it was her biggest fear.
“After the Manchester Arena bombing and the Vegas concert shooting, I was completely terrified to go on tour this time because I didn’t know how we were going to keep 3 million fans safe over seven months,” Swift said ahead of the “Lover” Tour, which was then canceled due to Covid.
She added, “There was a tremendous amount of planning, expense, and effort put into keeping my fans safe.”
“My fear of violence has continued into my personal life,” Swift said. “I carry QuikClot army grade bandage dressing, which is for gunshot or stab wounds.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.