Celebs
The 81-year-old singer canceled the show due to “an acute respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis.”
Rod Stewart performs during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 26, 2026 in New Orleans. Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Rod Stewart is facing online backlash for attending a World Cup match in Foxborough less than 24 hours after canceling a concert in California due to health concerns.
The British singer-songwriter, 81, posted a video to Instagram Saturday, showing himself and his two sons, Liam, 31, and Alastair, 20, aboard a private jet en route to the Haiti v. Scotland match at Gillette Stadium.
“Me and the boys off to Boston to see our Scotland 🏴 in the World Cup! No Scotland no party,” Stewart wrote in the caption.
In the video, Stewart expressed his excitement about supporting Scotland, noting that the trip marked his seventh World Cup tournament.
“Here we are flying off to Boston to see Scotland in the World Cup,” Stewart said. “It’s been 28 years so these kids, I’ve told them about it, but they’ve never been.”
The post quickly drew criticism from fans who pointed out that Stewart had canceled a scheduled performance in Chula Vista, California on Friday.
In a statement shared to his Instagram Story, Stewart’s team said the show had been canceled “on the advice of his doctors” because of “an acute respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis,” according to People.
Stewart later addressed fans directly, just an hour before taking the stage.
“Following treatment, I’m feeling much better, but my voice is not,” he wrote on social media. “I’m very disappointed and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I did everything I could to make the show happen tonight.”
Stewart’s post showing him travel to the World Cup game quickly sparked backlash, with a commenter calling the decision “insensitive” and another describing it as “disingenuous.”
“I understand that shows sometimes have to be canceled, and if there was a legitimate reason, most fans would have accepted it. What’s hard to accept is seeing you apparently celebrating on a plane with friends less than 24 hours after thousands of people were sent home disappointed in San Diego,” one user wrote, adding that the situation felt “tone deaf.”
Another commenter called Stewart’s actions “very unprofessional.”
“To see you bragging about flying on your private jet to Boston to see the game, while many, many of your fans were left disappointed on the streets of Chula Vista is just offensive,” the user wrote.
One fan said they “lost respect” for the singer.
“Hard to believe you really had laryngitis! You sound like you have a voice to me!” the commenter wrote. “I used to really like you, but when I say I lost a little respect, I mean a LOT of respect!”
Others, however, defended Stewart, arguing that his health concerns would affect his ability to perform but not necessarily his ability to travel.
“For all those who are saying oh that’s why he canceled his concert last night, get a grip,” one user wrote. “I happen to see him in Vegas last week and he pushed through, but he looked like he was not feeling well … He’s 81 and still put on a hell of a show, even when he was under the weather. I hope he and his kids have a fabulous damn time.”
“There’s a difference between watching a game and performing for two hours. Just saying,” another commenter added.
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