Garth Brooks Cancels Tour Amid COVID-19 Spike

Country music artist Garth Brooks has canceled the remainder of his 2021 stadium tour shows due to an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States.

There were five shows remaining on Brooks’ tour in Cincinnati, Charlotte, Baltimore, Foxborough and Nashville. These shows sold a collective total of around 350,000 tickets. Refunds will be offered to those who purchased a ticket, according to Brooks.

Brooks addressed the cancellation in a statement posted on his website. “In July, I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part,” stated Brooks. “So, it is with a heavy heart we announce the decision to cancel all 5 shows but with a hopeful heart, we will reschedule and start over when this wave seems to be behind us.”

The show in Nashville was originally meant as a makeup date for an earlier show that was postponed due to rain.

Brooks was personally impacted by the virus when his wife, Trisha Yearwood, tested positive for COVID-19 in 2021.

“The joy I have seen in everyone’s faces as live music returns has been more than worth our constant diligence to maintain safety protocols not only for the fans, but for our band, the crew and the hard-working staff in these stadiums. Their dedication to safety for the people who fill those seats has been a miracle to watch and a blessing to receive. I am truly grateful.”

A spokesperson for Brooks’ tour also explained that they will continue to look at the spread of the virus.

“I’m sincerely hoping we are back on tour before the year’s end,” concluded Brooks. “The most important thing to me is fulfilling my end of the Stadium Tour by making sure every show is doable before putting tickets on sale (that is why we pulled the Seattle on sale) and making sure the environment these people are trading their time and money to put themselves into is not only the best experience ever but also the safest one we can provide.”