Rod Stewart Faces Fan Backlash After Canceling Shows for World Cup Trip

The trouble began on June 12 at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista. Stewart’s management announced the singer could not perform due to an acute upper respiratory infection and laryngitis. The disappointment for fans intensified when the singer, who had been under doctor’s orders, appeared on social media the following morning. In a video posted to Instagram, Stewart was seen flying to Boston with his sons, Liam and Alastair, to support Scotland in their match against Haiti. He was later photographed at Boston Stadium, cheering and celebrating the team's 1-0 victory.

Social media platforms quickly filled with criticism from fans who had traveled long distances for the Chula Vista show and a subsequent canceled performance at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado. Supporters of the singer argued that the physical demands of a two-hour concert differ significantly from attending a sporting event, yet the optics of the trip proved damaging. A representative for Stewart maintained that the medical team attempted to salvage the California show using steroids, but the treatment failed to restore his voice in time for the performance. As Stewart continues his “One Last Time” tour, the incident highlights the tensions inherent in maintaining a rigorous schedule after six decades on the road.