- Justin Timberlake canceled his final U.S. tour stop in Columbus, Ohio, leaving fans frustrated. Just 10 minutes before the show, Timberlake announced on Instagram that he was canceling his performance due to the flu.
- The abrupt cancellation left thousands of fans stranded in 37-degree weather, with many having traveled long distances to attend the show.
- Despite Timberlake promising refunds, it’s unclear if Columbus fans will get a rescheduled date, and his next scheduled performance is in Argentina on March 21.
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Justin Timberlake canceled his final U.S. tour stop in Columbus, Ohio, just minutes before showtime. The last-minute decision left fans frustrated, with many questioning why the call wasn’t made sooner.
At 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, Timberlake announced on Instagram that he was canceling his performance at Nationwide Arena. The show was set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The singer said he was “heartbroken” over the decision but assured fans they would receive refunds.
Timberlake explained that he had battled the flu during soundcheck. However, some fans questioned the timing of the cancellation. They pointed out that he knew he was sick earlier and wondered why the decision wasn’t made sooner.
Fans left out in the cold
The abrupt cancellation left thousands of fans stranded outside in Columbus’ 37-degree weather. Inside the venue, an announcement instructed attendees to exit immediately. Many had traveled long distances,
“I traveled pretty far to be here at this show,” one disappointed fan shared in a TikTok video.
Some Columbus fans may be experiencing déjà vu. This marks the second time Timberlake has postponed a concert in Ohio.
Back in October, he canceled another Columbus performance, citing bronchitis and laryngitis. This latest cancellation adds to a pattern of health-related tour delays.
Backlash on social media
Hours before the cancellation, Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, posted a tribute celebrating his final U.S. tour stop. Fans quickly flooded the comments, expressing frustration and saying the post “didn’t age well.”
Some compared Timberlake to Taylor Swift, who only canceled one show during her two-year “Eras Tour”— and that was due to a terrorist attack.
Not everyone was critical. Some fans urged others to show empathy, with one commenting, “It’s okay to be upset, but remember he’s human, too.”
While Timberlake has promised refunds, it’s unclear if Columbus fans will get a rescheduled date. His next scheduled performance is in Argentina on March 21 as part of the international leg of his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour.”
For now, fans are left wondering if Timberlake will make it up to them — or if Columbus will remain a city of cancellations.
