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Drake Cancels Australia & New Zealand Tour After Five-Month Delay—Here’s Why Fans Are Still Hopeful
Many praised Drake’s generosity during the early dates of the tour—he handed out over $95,000 in total to fans in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. He also personally upgraded a pregnant fan to VIP and offered to pay for a Brisbane fan’s mother’s cancer treatment.
Drake has officially cancelled his long-postponed Anita Max Win tour dates in Australia and New Zealand, ending months of uncertainty for thousands of ticketholders. Initially announced in late 2024, the tour marked the Canadian rapper’s highly anticipated return to Oceania after more than seven years.
The Drake tour launched in February 2025 with sold-out shows in major Australian cities like Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. It was scheduled to wrap in March with two back-to-back shows in Auckland, New Zealand. However, on February 26, the remaining dates were suddenly postponed due to an alleged “scheduling conflict.” No further updates followed—until now.
On July 29, Live Nation Australia confirmed the inevitable: the tour was officially cancelled. “Despite extensive efforts to find a solution, rescheduling within the necessary timeframe was not possible,” the statement read. “Drake remains committed to returning and performing these shows when his schedule permits.”
Fans were left both frustrated and understanding. Many praised Drake’s generosity during the early dates of the Australia tour—he handed out over $95,000 in total to fans in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney. He also personally upgraded a pregnant fan to VIP and offered to pay for a Brisbane fan’s mother’s cancer treatment.
Still, the lack of communication since the February postponement has drawn criticism. Some fans vented online about the late notice and lost travel plans, while others accepted it as a scheduling casualty amid Drake’s ever-busy calendar.
Drake is currently on his $ome $pecial $hows 4 U.K. tour with PartyNextDoor to promote their collaborative project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. The European leg runs through September, with rescheduling issues—including a Manchester show moved due to ferry delays—adding further chaos to the rapper’s calendar.
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The Anita Max Win tour was uniquely named after a viral alter ego Drake created during a December 2023 livestream on Kick. “Anita Max Win” plays on the phrase “I need a max win,” a nod to slot machine jackpots and his flashy gambling persona.
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This isn’t the first time Drake has faced backlash over cancelled or postponed shows, but the rapper’s global appeal has rarely waned. Despite the cancellation, promoters emphasized his “commitment to returning,” sparking hope that new dates may eventually be announced.
In the meantime, refunds are being issued to ticket holders, with Live Nation promising clear guidance through official channels.
