Kanye West is scheduled to headline the Wireless Festival in London from July 10-12, 2026, a major event that attracts up to 150,000 attendees each year. However, this announcement has sparked significant controversy, leading to the withdrawal of key sponsors.

Both Pepsi and Diageo have pulled their sponsorships amid public outcry regarding West’s history of antisemitic remarks. Diageo, which owns popular brands like Guinness and Smirnoff, had been co-branding with Wireless for over a decade.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned West’s booking, stating, “It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.” This sentiment is echoed by Ed Davey, who emphasized the need to “get tougher on antisemitism.”

The charity Campaign Against Antisemitism has gone further, calling for West to be banned from entering the UK altogether. This follows a series of controversial statements made by West, including the release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” less than a year ago.

West has not performed in the UK since headlining Glastonbury in 2015, and his return is met with heightened scrutiny. His latest album, “Bully,” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing his continued influence in the music industry.

Phil Rosenberg from the Campaign Against Antisemitism remarked, “Wireless Festival should not be profiteering from racism by inviting West to headline.” This reflects a growing concern among festival-goers and sponsors alike.

Despite the backlash, some observers note that it is significant for West to return to the UK stage after several years. He took out a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal in January to apologize for his previous comments, but the effectiveness of that apology remains in question.

As the festival date approaches, the situation continues to evolve. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further sponsor withdrawals or potential changes to the lineup.