Sponsors continue to withdraw… Wireless Festival Strikes Again Following Kanye Announcement
Prominent Brands Withdraw From London Festival Following Backlash Regarding Headliner
The Wireless Festival is rapidly losing corporate partners. Rockstar Energy and PayPal have recently withdrawn their support for the 2026 event.
This comes in response to a surge of outrage regarding the choice to have Kanye West perform for three nights at Finsbury Park this July.
On April 6th, Rockstar Energy made the decision to withdraw, marking the third primary sponsor to exit in under two days. The announcement comes after Pepsi and Diageo have decided to terminate their collaborations. On April 5th, Diageo issued a statement indicating, “We have communicated our concerns to the organizers, and at this time, Diageo will not be sponsoring the 2026 Wireless festival.”
PayPal is also withdrawing. Although they were not a primary sponsor, they served as a payment partner for the festival. The company has confirmed that it will not feature its name on any of the festival’s advertisements or posters. According to reports from the BBC and ITV News, the company made this decision due to the significant backlash West has faced for his previous hateful remarks and endorsement of Nazi ideologies.
West has not taken the stage in the UK since 2015. The recent booking has sparked significant controversy among activists, politicians, and charitable organizations. The festival’s leadership is currently facing significant pressure following the departure of three main sponsors and a payment partner.
With the July start date approaching, uncertainty looms over whether the festival can maintain its existing plans. The departure of these companies highlights the significant pressure on the event to alter its lineup in response to the unfavorable scrutiny.
