Wireless Festival cancelled after headliner Kanye West visa blocked by UK Government

After multiple sponsors pulled out and the UK Government blocked his visa, the choice to have controversial rapper YE headline Wireless has resulted in this year's edition being cancelled

Date published: 7th Apr 2026

Since the announcement that YE would be headlining all three nights of Wireless Festival this year, things have gone from, unsurprisingly, bad to worse for the London rap festival. From sponsors including Pepsi, PayPal, Rockstar, Budweiser, and more pulling out, to the UK Government now blocking his visa, resulting in the now announced cancellation of the festival altogether. 

For several years, the once esteemed rapper has slid into a place few fans have followed, with tirades of abhorrent antisemitic, racist, and pro-Nazi comments becoming the norm for him. Whether making millions off of swastika T-shirts or releasing a song called Heil Hitler. 

According to the BBC, the rapper made an application to the Home Office for travel to the UK on Monday via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). They said the decision to refuse permission was made because 'his presence would not be conducive to the public good.'

In their statement on the cancellation, Wireless Festival said: "The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled, and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.

"As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE, and no concerns were highlighted at the time.

"Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK."

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, and YouTube for the latest music and events content.  

Header image credit: Axel Antas-Bergkvist on Unsplash