Ed Sheeran’s Thursday night MCG show breaks record for the most tickets sold to a single concert

Fans have gone wild for Ed Sheeran’s “best ever” show, with one saying the British superstar’s record-breaking concert was better than Lionel Ritchie or Pink.

Michael Gudinski and Shane Warne symbolised the heart and soul of Melbourne.

The two legends always championed Australia’s greatest city and, even after having successes on the world stage, they never forgot where they came from.

Their passing – Gudinski two years ago on March 2, and Warne, a year ago on March 4 – was always going to be acknowledged.

On Thursday night, in front of close to 109,500 people, tributes flowed for two of Melbourne’s finest, on the mighty MCG, led by the world’s biggest pop star, Ed Sheeran.

Ed Sheeran played in front of 105,000 people on Thursday night. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He dedicated The A Team to Warne, adding it was difficult to be in Melbourne “and not have my friend Shane Warne here.”

“I know he’s got a stand here and this venue was really special to him,” Sheeran said.

Warne’s children Jackson, Summer and Brooke visited Sheeran backstage before the show.

Shane Warne’s daughter, Summer, posted a response to Sheeran’s heartfelt words about the beloved spin king.

Brooke Warne with Ed Sheeran at the MCG.

“Beautiful tribute to Dad,” Summer wrote on Instagram.

Her sister, Brooke, posted a picture with Sheeran backstage.

After the show, Sheeran posted a picture of two bottles of wine, captioned: “Penfolds claret for Michael and Shane tonight.”

Sheeran regarded as Gudinski as a mate, mentor and father figure. His song Visiting Hours was penned as a salute to the late music boss.

It was a packed crowd at the MCG. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“The reason I’m here, and in the middle of the MCG is because of an idea (Gudinski) thought of, eight years ago. I really wish he was here to see this tonight,” Sheeran said.

He dedicated Visiting Hours to Gudinski’s wife Sue, son Matt and daughter Kate.

He also performed the Hunters And Collectors classic Throw Your Arms Around Me as a tribute to Gudinski’s Mushroom Records label.

With 108,000 punters packed into the MCG on Thursday, Sheeran’s show broke the Australian record for the most tickets sold to a single concert.

Sheeran in action at the MCG. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He has sold 107,000 tickets to his show on Friday.

Mushroom Group chief executive Matt Gudinski said it was “very sad to … achieve this (concert attendance) ­record without my dad here.”

Gudinski said Sheeran’s latest tour was “the biggest production to ever visit Australia..”

The massive tour set-up includes a circular video screen over a revolving stage.

Fans enjoying the Ed Sheeran concert. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The 360-degree platform is topped with a halo, which holds lighting, pyro and fireworks, which began blasting into the sky from the get-go.

Sheeran’s world tour, titled Mathematics, is sensory overload multiplied.

Yet, for all the show’s bells, whistles and wow factor, Sheeran is essentially a busker: a singer-songwriter-everyman with a guitar, loop pedals and a barrage of hits.

Sheeran’s massive tour set-up includes a circular video screen over a revolving stage. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He played every classic including Bad Habits, Perfect, The A Team, Shivers, and many more.

But in many ways, the sweetest music was the realisation of Michael Gudinski’s MCG dream for Sheeran, and the British superstar hitting 105,000 punters for six with a spectacular show on Warnie’s home ground.

It was a definitive Melbourne moment.

Ed Sheeran fans at the MCG. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Fans angry at ticket ‘fail’

Earlier, concert-goers lashed Ticketek over ticketing issues as they lined up to get into the MCG.

Thousands of people were stranded outside the ground after Ticketek systems failed and did not recognise online tickets.

@Ticketek_AU ummm this is for Ed Sheeran tomorrow night.. anyone else having the same issue pic.twitter.com/zgx8ZdihJq

— Jenna Carr (@JL_Carr86) March 2, 2023

The only ticket gate open and working was the MCC stand, where swarms of people were forced to queue for paper tickets.

The Ticketek app was also reportedly glitching, stopping people from accessing their tickets and having proof of purchase altogether.

Many shared their grievances online, with one woman posting a picture of her online ticket reading “this ticket is no longer active”.

Hey @Ticketek_AU your system has crashed AGAIN

Thousands outside the @MCC_Members@MCG

Not able to access their tickets

You have failed again at a major event

— Lachie Buszard (@Lachiebuzz) March 2, 2023

“Ummmm this is for Ed Sheeran tomorrow night … anyone else having the same issue?” the woman posted.

One fan wrote: “Hey Ticketek your system has crashed AGAIN. Thousands outside the MCG not able to access their tickets. You have failed again at a major event.”

Another person said they were “disgusted” at the technical meltdown.

“What a deplorable disaster making people queue for paper tickets. Splitting up families,” they said.

Widespread calls were made for Ticketek to fix their app and web page to let people inside.