Calabash SA has been cancelled after headliner Muse withdrew. Here’s what went wrong, how refunds are being handled, and what fans are saying.
Music lovers across South Africa had been gearing up for what was billed as one of the country’s biggest live music events of 2026. But instead of packing stadiums in Johannesburg and Cape Town, Calabash South Africa has been abruptly cancelled, leaving fans disappointed and organisers scrambling to manage ticket refunds.
Calabash South Africa: Festival cancelled after Muse withdraws
Organisers confirmed that the highly anticipated music festival, scheduled for early February 2026 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and DHL Stadium in Cape Town, will no longer go ahead as planned.
The main reason? British rock band Muse, who were due to headline the Calabash South Africa event, pulled out of their scheduled international tour — including dates in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and India — citing reasons beyond their control.
Organisers said they were unable to find a replacement headliner in time.
“We’re sad to share that Calabash South Africa 2026 has been cancelled,” the official statement read, adding that the logistics involved in presenting such a large-scale touring festival made a quick fix impossible.
Refunds underway — but confusion reigns
Despite the official announcement, many ticket holders reported receiving refund notifications even before formal confirmation.
News24 reported that organisers have assured attendees that full refunds will be processed for tickets, parking and related purchases, with refunds expected to take several business days to reflect.
Ticketmaster has been contacting customers whose payment details are no longer valid.
However, the communication around the cancellation has been criticised for a lack of clarity, with some fans lamenting the absence of timely updates from Big Concerts and other organisers.
According to some fans on Reddit, money started appearing back in accounts via Ticketmaster before the statement was released, leading to speculation that the festival might have been quietly shelved.
A Day To Remember and Simple Plan: SA fans lose out on big names
Muse was not the only international act slated to perform. Canadian pop-punk outfit Simple Plan, American rockers A Day To Remember, and British alt-rock band Nothing But Thieves were all on the roster — making the cancellation even more disappointing for fans who had hoped to see huge names in South Africa.
Simple Plan expressed their disappointment publicly, saying they were “so sad” to hear the festival had been cancelled, and apologised to fans who had looked forward to the performances.
Calabash South Africa 2026 cancelled: Fans react
Across social media, ticket holders reacted with sadness and frustration. Many expressed how excited they were to see their favourite bands, and some suggested poor timing and fan communication may have contributed to weak ticket sales, potentially compounding the festival’s problems.
One common comment thread on Reddit noted that announcing the event late in the year — close to festive spending season — may have deterred buyers, leading to slower sales and heightened uncertainty.
What’s next for Calabash?
For now, the future of Calabash South Africa remains uncertain. Organisers have expressed hope that the festival will return, but as of mid-January 2026, no rescheduled dates have been announced.
Music fans are left hopeful that 2026 will still bring exciting live events — but for now, Calabash’s cancellation stands as a stark reminder of how reliant large festivals are on confirmed international headliners and strong communication.
