Swiss football club FC Basel has cancelled a planned concert by controversial American rapper Kanye West, who now performs under the name Ye, citing his past antisemitic remarks as the reason for the decision.
The club announced on Saturday, April 18, 2026, that the scheduled performance at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on June 26, 2026, will not proceed after a thorough review of the artist’s background.
“After thorough examination, we have decided not to pursue the project further, as we are in line with our values and cannot provide a platform for this artist ” FC Basel stated to Swiss media outlet CH Media.
The decision adds to a growing list of European venues declining to host Ye’s performances, following similar cancellations in Poland and elsewhere due to concerns over his history of antisemitic statements.
Ye has faced widespread criticism in recent years for remarks deemed antisemitic, including the release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” in 2025 and a full-page apology advertisement in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, in which he denied being a Nazi or antisemite and attributed his past comments to a bipolar disorder.
The rapper last performed in Switzerland in 2013 during the Design Miami/Basel event.
This cancellation reflects ongoing scrutiny of Ye’s public conduct and its impact on his ability to secure performance venues across Europe.
Swiss football club FC Basel has cancelled a planned concert by controversial American rapper Kanye West, who now performs under the name Ye, citing his past antisemitic remarks as the reason for the decision.
The club announced on Saturday, April 18, 2026, that the scheduled performance at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on June 26, 2026, will not proceed after a thorough review of the artist’s background.
“After thorough examination, we have decided not to pursue the project further, as we are in line with our values and cannot provide a platform for this artist ” FC Basel stated to Swiss media outlet CH Media.
The decision adds to a growing list of European venues declining to host Ye’s performances, following similar cancellations in Poland and elsewhere due to concerns over his history of antisemitic statements.
Ye has faced widespread criticism in recent years for remarks deemed antisemitic, including the release of a song titled “Heil Hitler” in 2025 and a full-page apology advertisement in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year, in which he denied being a Nazi or antisemite and attributed his past comments to a bipolar disorder.
The rapper last performed in Switzerland in 2013 during the Design Miami/Basel event.
This cancellation reflects ongoing scrutiny of Ye’s public conduct and its impact on his ability to secure performance venues across Europe.
