London’s Wireless Festival is facing significant fallout over its decision to book Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, as a headliner for this summer’s event. Key sponsors, including food and beverage giant PepsiCo and alcohol conglomerate Diageo, have withdrawn their support, citing concerns related to West’s controversial history. PepsiCo, which had served as the festival’s main sponsor for a decade, announced its withdrawal first, followed by Diageo, owner of brands like Johnnie Walker and Smirnoff. Diageo confirmed their decision to The Independent on Sunday, stating, “We have informed the organizers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival.” Additionally, Far Out magazine reported that Rockstar Energy is the third sponsor to pull out, a claim Billboard has sought to confirm.

The controversy stems from Ye’s repeated antisemitic actions and statements in recent years. These include releasing a song titled “Heil Hitler,” professing admiration for Nazis and Adolf Hitler, and selling merchandise featuring swastikas and the white nationalist phrase “White Lives Matter.” Although West recently issued a full-page apology to the Jewish and Black communities in The Wall Street Journal ahead of his new album “Bully,” the backlash to his past conduct persists.

The Wireless Festival’s booking has also drawn strong condemnation from prominent British figures. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed deep concern to The Guardian, stating it was “deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism. Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan echoed these sentiments, telling Complex that West’s past comments and actions are “offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values.”

Jewish organizations in the U.K. have also voiced their outrage. The U.K.’s Jewish Leadership Council called the booking “deeply irresponsible,” highlighting rising antisemitism and recent terrorist threats. The Campaign Against Antisemitism supported the Prime Minister’s concerns, further arguing that the government has the power to ban non-citizens whose presence is not “conducive to the public good” from entering the country. While PepsiCo’s decision to drop sponsorship was lauded, these organizations have called for governmental intervention if festival management remains resolute in headlining West.

The Live Nation-affiliated London Festival is scheduled for July 10-12 in Finsbury Park, with West slated to headline all three nights, reprising his 2014 appearance. At press time, it remains unclear whether the U.K. government will attempt to bar West from entering the country, and Wireless Festival organizers have yet to publicly comment on the significant blowback. Despite the controversy, West recently performed two sold-out concerts at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium in support of his new album, “Bully.”