Ed Sheeran revealed he turned down a chance to appear in Fortnite, opting instead for a collaboration with Pokémon. On the Warnes Way podcast, Sheeran explained he was approached by his management to follow artists like Travis Scott with an in-game event, but declined because he doesn’t play Fortnite.
Sheeran said, “They asked me to do something for Fortnite, my record label, and I was like… ‘I don’t play Fortnite.'” He emphasized that any brand or game tie-in should be something he genuinely enjoys. “Whenever you see my face next to any product, I want it to be next to something I actually do.”
Instead, Sheeran chose to work with Pokémon, a franchise he actually plays. This led to his 2022 team-up with The Pokémon Company for a Pokémon-themed music video for his song Celestial.
Sheeran also referenced his 2019 collaboration with Heinz for limited-edition ketchup bottles, joking, “So ketchup, I f***ing love ketchup.” He made it clear that authenticity drives his choices: “Guitars, I play the guitars I [promote]… I think it has to be real.”
Many of Sheeran’s musical peers already have Fortnite skins, including Travis Scott, Bruno Mars, and J Balvin. Fortnite even features some of Sheeran’s music as in-game tracks and emotes, but the singer himself has no plans to join the virtual stage.
For Fortnite fans, this means no Ed Sheeran avatar or concert event is on the horizon. Instead, his Pokémon music video remains the closest crossover between Sheeran and gaming. The move highlights a growing trend: artists are getting pickier about which games they collaborate with, prioritizing personal connection over pure exposure.
Why it matters for players
Fortnite concerts have become massive cultural moments, drawing millions of players and reshaping how artists connect with fans. Sheeran’s decision to skip Fortnite shows not every big name is eager to jump into the metaverse. For players, this limits the roster of potential in-game events and collaborations.
Meanwhile, Sheeran’s Pokémon project brought his music to a different gaming audience-one that overlaps with his own interests. The Pokémon music video for Celestial offered fans a unique blend of pop culture and nostalgia, but didn’t come with the interactive spectacle Fortnite is known for.
Fortnite continues to expand its collaborations, recently adding Game of Thrones characters. However, Sheeran’s own cameo from the TV series hasn’t made the cut-yet.
The bottom line
- Ed Sheeran won’t be headlining a Fortnite concert due to lack of personal connection with the game.
- His Pokémon collaboration reflects a trend toward more authentic artist-game partnerships.
- Fortnite players shouldn’t expect a Sheeran skin or event, but his music is still available in-game.