Drake has canceled the remainder of his Australia and New Zealand tour, leaving thousands of fans disappointed and scrambling for answers. The news of the cancellation was confirmed on February 28, 2025, just hours after the rapper performed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
According to statements from Drake's representatives, the cancellation is due to "a scheduling conflict." They emphasized, "We are actively working on rescheduling these dates along with adding some additional shows." Fans have been reassured their tickets for the canceled shows will remain valid for any future dates and refunds are available for those who prefer them. Drake's team extended their apologies, expressing gratitude for the patience shown by fans.
The affected shows were scheduled for Brisbane on March 4, Sydney on March 7, and back-to-back performances on March 15 and 16 at Auckland's Spark Arena. Initial speculation about the viability of the tour grew as fans noticed tickets for these shows had quickly sold out, but uncertainty lingered about potential low ticket sales for the Brisbane show, which was to be its third performance in the city. Fans were left to connect dots as venues started to limit ticket availability, with some reports indicating Drake's stage equipment was being prepared for shipment to Europe.
The cancellation has emerged after effective performances from Drake during the initial leg of the tour, which saw him visit major cities including Perth (his first show there since 2015), Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. His tour was significant, coming off the heels of Kendrick Lamar's highly publicized Super Bowl Halftime Show, where he performed his track "Not Like Us." This spectacle added to the headlines surrounding both artists amid their public rivalry.
Drake was seen as riding high before the cancellation, even dropping a surprise collaborative album titled "$ome $exy $ongs 4 U" with fellow artist PARTYNEXTDOOR, his first chart-topping record since last year. The tour, named 'Anita Max Win,' is derived from Drake's entertaining persona introduced during his recent livestream, typifying the blending of his music career with memorable public moments.
Despite this, the abrupt nature of Drake's departure created turmoil among fans, many of whom expressed their confusion and frustration on social media. Comments ranged from disbelief about the cancellation to critique about the timing, with numerous users questioning why Drake would leave when schedules had been established long beforehand. “Why did Drake just cancel the rest of his tour and fly back to Canada?” lamented one user, reflecting the prevailing mood among ticket holders.
Adding to the intrigue, insiders indicated plans for the cancellation could have been brewing as early as the previous Saturday. Reports also suggested Drake was leaving Australia for personal reasons and had partied at nightclub venues until the early hours following his show. Witnesses noted Drake attended private functions inviting hundreds of partygoers, which raised eyebrows and led many to speculate how these festivities influenced his abrupt decisions.
With the final shows poised to take place shortly, speculation remains rife about the future of the tour. Fans are left eagerly awaiting announcements about how Drake will amend his tour schedule and the potential new show dates, as discussions over refunds evolve and excitement builds again within his vast fanbase.
Drake's representatives affirmed their commitment to keeping fans informed as they navigate this challenging situation. They reiterated, "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience." The determination to fulfill obligations to fans continues to drive their efforts toward rescheduling dates for the four canceled shows.
The Anita Max Win Tour now hangs precariously, with audiences hopeful for swift answers and confirmations post-cancellation. Only time will tell if Drake can return to the stage with renewed vigor and delighted fans, marking the next chapter of his tour saga.