The pop superstar yesterday announced a third concert for Dunedin after tickets to his two shows sold out in minutes.
Frontier Touring head Michael Gudinski said between 37,000 and 38,000 fans were expected at each concert, and a sellout was predicted for Sheeran’s third Dunedin show.
Tickets will go on sale at 1pm on June 1.
The April 1 date would be the final show of the Australasian leg of Sheeran’s ÷ World Tour.
Sheeran would play 18 shows across seven cities in Australia and New Zealand, breaking the record for a stadium show tour of the countries.
Close to a million fans are expected to see the British hit-maker during the run.
"I’m actually lost for words," Mr Gudinski said.
"I have never seen anything like it."
Fans were in for a treat at Forsyth Barr Stadium, he said.
"He’s bringing his own PA, lights, videos — all his own people."
He allayed concerns about sound quality in the stadium, saying Sheeran and his production team spent considerable time preparing for each show on tour.
"He’s all about the fans," he said.
"His sound person is one of the best in the world, I could be so confident the sound will be the best that’s been heard in that stadium."
Sheeran’s ability to connect with his audience made for a unique experience for concert-goers, he said.
"I can’t believe how one person can capture, control and captivate an audience.
"This guy is more than talent — he’s gifted."
Yesterday’s announcement also included additional shows for Perth, Sydney and Melbourne.
In announcing the dates, Sheeran said: "I’ve always loved coming to Australia and New Zealand. So many amazing musicians have toured there and I am humbled to have broken these records".
To help shuttle fans to and from the city, Air New Zealand yesterday announced an extra 35 flights in and out of Dunedin.
There were also 17 flights to and from Auckland planned for the tour dates.
"The extra flights will provide more than 7100 additional seats for Ed Sheeran fans travelling to his concerts from throughout the country," Air New Zealand regional general manager direct and market development Jeremy O’Brien said.
Enterprise Dunedin director John Christie said the three-show run could mean an injection of more than $50million into Dunedin and the wider region.
Accommodation providers as far afield as Oamaru and Balclutha could expect some spin-off as a result of the concerts.
"It’s good not only economically, but it shows Dunedin is up for big concerts and big name acts," he said.
Enterprise Dunedin would be working with tourist and hospitality operators to create a carnival-like atmosphere in the city over the weekend.
He believed the city could cope with the influx of visitors as the four-day spread of the shows would relieve pressure on accommodation.
Dunedin Venues chief executive Terry Davies lauded the announcement.
"The city will be a big winner, not to mention all of those fans. We thought selling out two concerts was an incredible achievement but for there to be a third Ed Sheeran concert under the roof, well I’m speechless and that’s saying something."
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan agreed the shows were "massive" for the region.
Elton John’s concert at Forsyth Barr Stadium brought almost $15million into the city’s economy and the Sheeran shows would eclipse that.
"It’s a great effort by Terry and the team at the stadium, first to get this event and then extend it out by two more," Mr McGowan said.
Triple treat
• Three concerts over four nights.
• More than 110,000 fans expected to pack the stadium on March 29, March 31 and April 1.
• 35 additional flights to and from Dunedin to shuttle fans into and out of the city.
• More than $50million expected to be injected into the city’s economy.