Taylor Swift concerts that were due to take place in Vienna this week have been cancelled after the government confirmed terrorists had been planning to target the stadium.
The organiser confirmed the news late on Wednesday evening, cancelling three shows that had been due to take place at Ernst Happel Stadium in the Austrian capital.
"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 said in a post on Instagram.
Austrian police on Wednesday detained two people suspected of plotting attacks on concerts, Franz Ruf, director general for public security, said at a news conference on Wednesday evening.
"During our investigations, we identified preparatory actions and noted that the 19 year-old suspect had a particular focus on the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna," Ruf said, adding that the suspect, an Austrian citizen, had pledged allegiance to Islamic state.
Police searched the residence of one of the suspects in Ternitz, Lower Austria, and is analysing items from the home.
Barracuda.music has confirmed all tickets for the cancelled shows will be automatically refunded.
The three Taylor Swift concerts had been scheduled to take place in Vienna from Thursday to Saturday, with police expecting around 65,000 attendees each day.
They are part of the record-breaking Eras Tour by the American singer-songwriter which began on March 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona.
It included sell-out performances at London’s Wembley Stadium in June, where Swift is due to return for a five-night run next week, from August 15 to 20. It was due to be her next stop after Vienna.
The Eras Tour is set to conclude on December 8 in Vancouver.
