Global beverage giants Pepsi and Diageo have withdrawn their sponsorship of the 2026 Wireless Festival in London, following controversy surrounding the inclusion of US rapper Kanye West, also known as Ye, as a headline act.
The 48-year-old artist is scheduled to perform three nights at the festival in July as part of his European comeback tour. However, his past antisemitic remarks have sparked widespread criticism.
A spokesperson for Pepsi, the festival’s lead sponsor, confirmed the company’s decision to pull out, stating that it had “decided to withdraw its sponsorship” without providing further details.
Similarly, Diageo—whose brands Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan were set to feature as partner brands—announced it would no longer sponsor the event, citing concerns raised with organisers.
The controversy has drawn political attention, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing the booking as “deeply concerning” in light of West’s previous antisemitic statements and alleged glorification of Nazism.
“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly,” Starmer said.
The festival is organised by Live Nation Entertainment, which had yet to respond to requests for comment at the time of filing this report.
Opposition to West’s appearance has also come from advocacy groups, including the Campaign Against Antisemitism, which urged the UK government to bar the rapper from entering the country, arguing that his presence would not be in the public interest.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also voiced concern over the development.
The controversy extends beyond the UK. In Marseille, local authorities have opposed a planned concert as part of the same tour, with the city’s mayor stating that the rapper is “not welcome.”
West has previously apologised for his antisemitic remarks, attributing them to his bipolar disorder. In May 2025, he released a controversial track titled “Heil Hitler” to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, which was subsequently banned by major streaming platforms.
