TAMPA, Fla. — Despite criticism and calls to cancel two Kanye West or ‘Ye’ concerts scheduled this weekend at Raymond James Stadium, the performances will continue. 

Former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Rick Scott, along with a handful of community leaders, urged the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel the events because of the artist’s history of antisemitic remarks. ‘Ye’ has publicly apologized for his statements, including a full-page letter in the Wall Street Journal that was published in January.

KANYE WEST CONCERTS 
Friday, June 26 & Sunday, June 28 
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa 
Showtimes: 8 p.m. 

Despite the pushback, legal experts say the Tampa Sports Authority has little room to cancel the concerts under the terms of its agreement.

Stetson University College of Law professor Anthony Palermo reviewed the legal memorandum and contract prepared for the Tampa Sports Authority. He says the agreement was specifically written to prevent the concerts from being canceled because of public backlash over the artist’s past statements or anticipated speech.

“The provision in the agreement is essentially designed to say that you cannot cancel this show if there is a sort of public fallout because of prior statements, political viewpoints, or anticipated expressive content by the artist,” Palermo said.

Before sunrise, crews were already testing the lights for tonight’s Kanye West or ‘Ye’ concert at Raymond James Stadium. Despite pushback, concerts are still on tonight and Sunday @bn9 pic.twitter.com/cHyEa58DBS

— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) June 26, 2026

According to Palermo, the clause is unusual and appears to have been included at the artist’s request.

“It’s also, from what I’ve read, not something that is typical in TSA’s documents,” he said.

The contract provides few circumstances in which the concerts could be canceled: If the federal government raises the national terrorism threat assessment to Level 5, or a large public health threat. Outside of those scenarios, Palermo said canceling the performances would likely face significant legal challenges.

He also pointed to First Amendment protections as another major obstacle. Because Raymond James Stadium is considered a public forum, a performer can’t be kept from appearing based solely on what they might say or have said in the past.

“So to cancel someone or to stop their appearance, you may be able to do it on certain grounds, but you can’t do it based on just what you think they’re going to say, or what they may have said in the past,” Palermo explained.

Concert cancellations at Raymond James Stadium are rare. The last major cancellation occurred in 2024, when Morgan Wallen postponed a scheduled performance because of illness before returning later that year.

In response, The Florida Holocaust Museum is offering free admission for the next three days. Museum officials say their goal is to combat antisemitism through education.