Career Timeline of Ed Sheeran: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ed Sheeran made an impact.
Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter who started writing songs around age eleven. Born in Halifax and raised in Framlingham, he gained early recognition with his independently released extended play, 'No. 5 Collaborations Project', in 2011. That same year, he signed with Asylum Records, marking the beginning of his mainstream music career.
2004: First Recording
In 2004, at the age of thirteen, Ed Sheeran began recording music and independently released his first collection of work, titled Spinning Man.
2007: Youth Music Theatre UK Production
In 2007, Ed Sheeran successfully auditioned for Youth Music Theatre UK and joined their production of Frankenstein – A New Musical in Plymouth, providing him with valuable experience in musical theatre.
April 2008: Opening for Nizlopi
In April 2008, Ed Sheeran opened for Nizlopi in Norwich. He had previously worked as one of their guitar technicians. This performance helped him gain exposure.
2009: Studying at Academy of Contemporary Music and Release of You Need Me EP
In the autumn of 2009, at the age of 18, Ed Sheeran began studying music at the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, Surrey. Later in 2009, he released the EP, You Need Me.
February 2010: SB.TV Video and Example Tour Invitation
In February 2010, Ed Sheeran posted a video through SB.TV, a channel launched by Jamal Edwards. Rapper Example invited Sheeran to tour with him after seeing the video. In the same month, he also released his critically acclaimed Loose Change EP, which featured his future debut single, "The A Team".
June 2010: Station Session in St. Pancras International
In June 2010, Ed Sheeran played a Station Session in St. Pancras International, which helped him gain more visibility over the internet.
January 2011: Release of No. 5 Collaborations Project EP
On 8 January 2011, Ed Sheeran released his independent EP, No. 5 Collaborations Project, featuring grime artists. The EP reached number 2 in the iTunes chart without promotion, selling over 7,000 copies in the first week, gaining him mainstream attention.
April 2011: Appearance on Later... with Jools Holland
On 26 April 2011, Ed Sheeran appeared on the BBC music show Later... with Jools Holland. He performed his debut single, "The A Team", marking a significant television appearance early in his career.
September 2011: Release of + ("Plus")
In September 2011, Ed Sheeran's debut album, + ("Plus"), was released. It quickly topped the UK Albums Chart and featured his first hit single, "The A Team".
November 2011: Co-writing "Moments" for One Direction
In November 2011, Ed Sheeran co-wrote the song "Moments" on the debut album by the boy band One Direction.
2011: Release of No. 5 Collaborations Project and Signing with Asylum Records
In early 2011, Ed Sheeran independently released the extended play 'No. 5 Collaborations Project'. Later in 2011, he signed with Asylum Records, marking a significant step in his professional music career.
January 2012: Supporting Snow Patrol on US Tour
On 10 January 2012, it was announced that Ed Sheeran would support Snow Patrol on their US tour from late March until May, providing him with increased exposure to a US audience.
February 2012: Brit Awards Wins
At the 2012 Brit Awards on 21 February, Ed Sheeran won the Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act of the Year.
February 2012: Release of "Drunk" as a Single
On 19 February 2012, Ed Sheeran released "Drunk" as a single. The release became his fourth consecutive top-ten single in the UK, peaking at number nine.
March 2012: Sales of + Album Surpass 1 Million Copies in the UK
As of March 2012, Ed Sheeran's debut album, +, had sold 1,021,072 copies in the UK, marking a significant milestone in sales and solidifying its success.
March 2012: Taylor Swift Contact
In March 2012, Taylor Swift contacted Ed Sheeran after hearing his music while touring Australia, initiating a future collaboration between the two artists.
May 2012: Ivor Novello Award for "The A Team"
At the Ivor Novello Awards in May 2012, Ed Sheeran's "The A Team" won Best Song Musically and Lyrically, beating Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Florence and the Machine's "Shake It Out".
June 2012: Performance at Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II
On 4 June 2012, Ed Sheeran performed "The A Team" at the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II concert held on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, marking a performance at a prestigious national event.
August 2012: Performance at Closing Ceremony of 2012 Summer Olympics in London
On 12 August 2012, Ed Sheeran performed a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, marking a performance at a global event.
November 2012: Contribution to One Direction's Take Me Home Album
In November 2012, Ed Sheeran contributed two songs to One Direction's second studio album, Take Me Home, including the single "Little Things", which became the group's second number-one in the UK.
2012: Brit Awards Wins
In 2012, Ed Sheeran won two Brit Awards, one for Best British Male Solo Artist and another for British Breakthrough Act, acknowledging his rising success in the music industry.
September 2013: End of The Red Tour with Taylor Swift
In September 2013, Ed Sheeran completed his run as the opening act for Taylor Swift's The Red Tour, which had started in March. The tour was then his biggest tour to date.
October 2013: Headlining Shows at Madison Square Garden
In October 2013, Ed Sheeran headlined three sold-out shows at New York's Madison Square Garden, marking a significant milestone in his career.
November 2013: Release of "I See Fire"
On 5 November 2013, Ed Sheeran released "I See Fire", which was featured in the end credits of the film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, its soundtrack, and on the deluxe version of his second album.
2013: "The A Team" Grammy Nomination
In 2013, Ed Sheeran's "The A Team" received a nomination for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards. Elton John appeared with Sheeran at the ceremony to circumvent organizers' concerns about Sheeran's profile.
February 2014: Donation to St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop
In February 2014, Ed Sheeran, as an ambassador for East Anglia's Children's Hospice, donated eight bags of clothes to the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop in his home town Framlingham. The date is February 2014.
March 2014: Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall
In March 2014, Ed Sheeran performed at the Teenage Cancer Trust charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where he unveiled "Take It Back", a track that would later appear on the deluxe version of his second album.
April 2014: Release of "Sing"
On 7 April 2014, Ed Sheeran released "Sing" as the lead single from his second album. This song marked a departure from his previous recordings and was intended to build hype for the album release.
May 2014: Release of "One"
On 16 May 2014, Ed Sheeran released "One", an acoustic ballad, as a promotional single. The release of "One" aimed to reassure fans amidst concerns that "Sing" might alienate them.
June 2014: First number-one single in the UK
By early June 2014, Ed Sheeran's song "Sing" had earned him his first number-one single in the UK.
June 2014: Release of × (“Multiply”)
In June 2014, Ed Sheeran released his second studio album, × (“Multiply”). The album topped charts around the world, marking a significant achievement in his career.
June 2014: Release of Album ×
On 23 June 2014, Ed Sheeran's second studio album, × ("Multiply"), was released worldwide, featuring production by Rick Rubin, Pharrell Williams, and Benny Blanco. The album peaked at number one in both the UK and US.
August 2014: Beginning of World Tour
On 6 August 2014, Ed Sheeran embarked on a world tour in support of his album ×, beginning in Osaka, Japan.
September 2014: Release of "Thinking Out Loud"
On 24 September 2014, Ed Sheeran released "Thinking Out Loud" as the third single from his album ×. He also performed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground prior to the 2014 AFL Grand Final on 27 September 2014.
November 2014: Announcement of Wembley Stadium Shows
In November 2014, Ed Sheeran announced his sold-out shows at London's Wembley Stadium, scheduled for July 2015, as part of his world tour.
November 2014: Participation in Band Aid 30
On 15 November 2014, Ed Sheeran joined the charity supergroup Band Aid 30 along with other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, to raise money for the West African Ebola virus epidemic. The date is November 2014.
2014: Acting Debut on Shortland Street
In 2014, Ed Sheeran made his acting debut with a cameo role as himself on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street. The date is 2014.
2014: Spotify's Most-Streamed Artist
In 2014, Ed Sheeran was named Spotify's most-streamed artist, with 860 million streams on his catalogue, and his album × was the most-streamed album. He was also iTunes' best-selling artist in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand in 2014.
2014: Nomination for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards
In 2014, Ed Sheeran was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, recognizing his growing impact on the music industry.
March 2015: Announcement of Gingerbread Man Records
In March 2015, Ed Sheeran announced he was setting up a record label, Gingerbread Man Records, which is a deal with Warner Music Group. The date is March 2015.
May 2015: Appearance on Undateable
In May 2015, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself and performed on a live episode of the NBC sitcom Undateable. The date is May 2015.
July 2015: Sold-Out Shows at Wembley Stadium
From 10–12 July 2015, Ed Sheeran performed sold-out shows at London's Wembley Stadium, marking a significant milestone in his career.
August 2015: Collaboration with Macklemore
In August 2015, Ed Sheeran collaborated with Macklemore on the track "Growing Up".
August 2015: Launch of Gingerbread Man Records
In August 2015, Ed Sheeran launched Gingerbread Man Records and its accompanying YouTube channel. The date is August 2015.
August 2015: Airing of Live at Wembley Stadium Special
On 16 August 2015, NBC aired the one-hour special Ed Sheeran – Live at Wembley Stadium, which included behind-the-scenes footage from his July 2015 concerts.
October 2015: Jamie Lawson's Debut Album
In October 2015, Jamie Lawson, the first signee of Gingerbread Man Records, released his self-titled debut album, which has earned him a number one in the UK Albums Chart. The date is October 2015.
November 2015: Release of Jumpers for Goalposts: Live at Wembley Stadium DVD
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran released the DVD Jumpers for Goalposts: Live at Wembley Stadium, commemorating his concerts at Wembley Stadium in July 2015.
November 2015: Signing of Foy Vance to Gingerbread Man Records
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran signed Foy Vance as the second artist to his record label, Gingerbread Man Records. The date is November 2015.
November 2015: Support for No Cold Homes campaign
In November 2015, Ed Sheeran supported the No Cold Homes campaign by the UK charity, Turn2us, by donating items of winter clothing. The proceeds were used to help people struggling to keep their homes warm in winter. The date is November 2015.
2015: Album of the Year Win at Brit Awards and Ivor Novello Award
In 2015, Ed Sheeran's album × won Album of the Year at the Brit Awards. In the same year, he received the Ivor Novello Award for Songwriter of the Year from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.
April 2016: Collaboration with Eric Clapton
In April 2016, Ed Sheeran collaborated with his idol Eric Clapton, singing on Clapton's album I Still Do, credited as 'Angelo Mysterioso'. Sheeran also performed the song with Clapton on stage. The date is April 2016.
May 2016: Worldwide Recognition for Album ×
In May 2016, Ed Sheeran's album × was named the second-best-selling album worldwide in 2015, following Adele's 25.
June 2016: Opposition to Brexit
In June 2016, Ed Sheeran publicly opposed Brexit (the United Kingdom leaving the European Union) and supported "remain".
December 2016: Teasing a New Album Release
On 13 December 2016, Ed Sheeran returned from a year-long hiatus and social media break, teasing the release of a new album by changing his social media profiles to a light blue color.
2016: Appearance in Bridget Jones's Baby
In 2016, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself in the film Bridget Jones's Baby, encountering Bridget Jones at the Glastonbury Festival. The date is 2016.
2016: Donation to St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop
In 2016, Ed Sheeran donated 13 bags of clothes to the St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop. The date is 2016.
2016: Grammy Awards for "Thinking Out Loud"
In 2016, Ed Sheeran's single "Thinking Out Loud" from the album ×, earned him Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
March 2017: Start of Divide Tour and Chart Success
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran began the Divide Tour and had ten top-10 singles from the album ÷ on the UK Singles Chart, breaking Calvin Harris's record on 11 March 2017.
March 2017: Release of ÷ (“Divide”)
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran released his third album, ÷ (“Divide”). The album was the best-selling album worldwide of 2017. The first two singles, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill", broke records in several countries by debuting in the top two chart positions. Sheeran also became the first artist to have two songs debut in the US top 10 in the same week. By March 2017, Sheeran had accumulated ten top-10 singles from ÷ on the UK Singles Chart, breaking the record for most top-10 UK singles from one album.
March 2017: Collaboration for Comic Relief charity single
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran teamed up with the cast of the BBC3 mockumentary sitcom People Just Do Nothing to perform a charity single for the BBC's biennial telethon Comic Relief. The date is March 2017.
March 2017: Beginning of ÷ Tour
In March 2017, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour began. The tour eventually became the highest-grossing of all time.
March 2017: Release of Album ÷
On 3 March 2017, Ed Sheeran released his fourth studio album, ÷ ("Divide"), which debuted at number one in several major markets and became the fastest-selling album by a male solo artist in the UK.
June 2017: Headlining Glastonbury and Artist of the Year Award
On 25 June 2017, Ed Sheeran headlined the final night of Glastonbury. He was also named Artist of the Year at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards.
July 2017: Appearance on Game of Thrones
In July 2017, Ed Sheeran appeared in a scene on Game of Thrones opposite Maisie Williams. His appearance received mixed reviews. The date is July 2017.
November 2017: Appearance on Gogglebox
In November 2017, Ed Sheeran appeared in an episode of Gogglebox along with other UK celebrities as part of Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK's Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign. The date is November 2017.
December 2017: Spotify's Most-Streamed Artist of the Year
In December 2017, Ed Sheeran was named Spotify's most-streamed artist of the year with 6.3 billion streams. His album ÷ was streamed 3.1 billion times, and his song "Shape of You" had 1.4 billion streams. He also collaborated with Eminem on the song "River" for the album Revival.
2017: Endorsed Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn
In 2017, Ed Sheeran publicly endorsed the Labour Party and its leader Jeremy Corbyn during the United Kingdom general election.
2017: Release of "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill"
In 2017, Ed Sheeran released two singles, "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill". Both singles broke the Spotify day one streaming record, with over 13 million streams in 24 hours. He also implied a possible appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in 2017.
2017: Best-Selling Single and Album
In 2017, Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" was named the best-selling single in the UK and US, and ÷ was named the best-selling album. He was also named the Global Recording Artist of the Year by the IFPI.
February 2018: Global Success Award at the Brit Awards
On 21 February 2018, Ed Sheeran performed "Supermarket Flowers" at the Brit Awards and received the Global Success Award from Elton John and Ronnie Wood.
June 2018: Release of "Summer On You"
On 21 June 2018, Ed Sheeran released "Summer On You", performed by PrettyMuch, which he wrote for the boy band.
October 2018: Signed Letter Calling for Second Brexit Vote
In October 2018, Ed Sheeran was among a group of British musicians who signed a letter to then Prime Minister Theresa May, drafted by Bob Geldof, calling for "a 2nd vote" on Brexit, stating concerns about its impact on the music industry.
May 2019: Release of "I Don't Care"
On 10 May 2019, Ed Sheeran released the single "I Don't Care", a duet with Justin Bieber, from his fourth studio album, No.6 Collaborations Project. The song broke Spotify's single-day streaming record with 10.977 million global streams.
June 2019: Appearance in Yesterday
In June 2019, Ed Sheeran appeared as himself in a supporting role in the Richard Curtis/Danny Boyle film Yesterday.
June 2019: Heinz Tomato Ketchup Advertisement Debut
In June 2019, Ed Sheeran debuted in an advertisement for Heinz Tomato Ketchup, showcasing his lifelong love for the product. He also released a limited edition ketchup product known as Ed Sheeran X Heinz ketchup, also known as "Heinz Edchup".
June 2019: Release of "Cross Me" and "Beautiful People"
In June 2019, Ed Sheeran released two singles: "Cross Me" featuring Chance the Rapper and PnB Rock on 31 May, and "Beautiful People" featuring Khalid on 28 June.
August 2019: The ÷ Tour becomes the highest-grossing tour of all time.
In August 2019, Ed Sheeran's ÷ Tour reached a significant milestone, becoming the highest-grossing tour of all time.
September 2019: Announcement of Bertie Blossoms bar
In September 2019, Ed Sheeran announced he was teaming up with his manager Stuart Camp to open a bar located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The bar is called "Bertie Blossoms", and named after his wife Cherry Seaborn. The date is September 2019.
December 2019: Launch of Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation
In December 2019, Ed Sheeran launched his own music foundation, Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation (ESSMF), to help artists aged under 18 with grants. The date is December 2019.
December 2019: Artist of the Decade
In December 2019, Ed Sheeran was named artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company for his success in the UK album and singles charts throughout the 2010s.
December 2019: Named Artist of the Decade by the Official Charts Company
In December 2019, the Official Charts Company named Ed Sheeran artist of the decade, recognizing his combined success in the UK album and singles charts throughout the 2010s.
2019: Release of No.6 Collaborations Project
In 2019, Ed Sheeran released his fourth overall and first collaborative album, No.6 Collaborations Project. It debuted at number one in most major markets and spawned three UK number one singles: "I Don't Care", "Beautiful People", and "Take Me Back to London".
May 2020: Donation to Thomas Mills High School and Ipswich Hospital
In May 2020, Ed Sheeran donated £170,000 to his former school, Thomas Mills High School, via the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation. He also made a donation to Ipswich Hospital. The date is May 2020.
June 2020: Donation to Suffolk Community Foundation
In June 2020, Ed Sheeran made a "founding gift" to launch Suffolk Community Foundation's "Rebuilding Local Lives Appeal" in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Suffolk Day. The date is June 2020.
October 2020: The Ed Sheeran Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction
In October 2020, Ed Sheeran's parents organised The Ed Sheeran Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction. Sheeran donated personal items and sold his painting "Dab 2 2020". He also backed Marcus Rashford's free school meals campaign and opened his own breakfast club at his Notting Hill restaurant. The date is October 2020.
December 2020: Surprise Single Release After Hiatus
On 21 December 2020, after a hiatus following the birth of his first child in August, Ed Sheeran released the surprise single, "Afterglow".
June 2021: Release of "Bad Habits"
On 25 June 2021, Ed Sheeran released "Bad Habits", the lead single from his upcoming fifth studio album. It became his 10th UK number one single and topped charts in several countries.
October 2021: Release of = ("Equals") album
On 19 August 2021, Ed Sheeran announced his fifth studio album, = ("Equals"), was released on 29 October 2021. The cover was painted by him. On 10 September, "Shivers" dethroned "Bad Habits" at the top of the UK and Irish singles charts. Topping the charts in most major markets, = became his fifth UK number-one album, and fourth US number one.
November 2021: Release of "Merry Christmas" with Elton John
In November 2021, Ed Sheeran and Elton John released "Merry Christmas", a charity duet single inspired by the film Love Actually. The song, which pays homage to British Christmas hits, debuted at number one in the UK Singles Chart in December, with all UK profits going to charity. The date is November 2021.
2021: Release of = (“Equals”)
In 2021, Ed Sheeran released his fifth studio album, = ("Equals"). It topped the charts in most major markets, continuing his streak of successful album releases.
2021: +–=÷x Tour kit sponsorship
In 2021, Ed Sheeran's +–=÷x Tour kit sponsored Ipswich Town's 2021-22 season, and he was also named in the club's squad list with the number 17.
2021: Urged Congress to pass Equality Act
In 2021, Ed Sheeran, along with other celebrities, urged the United States Congress to pass the proposed Equality Act, aimed at expanding the Civil Rights Act to outlaw discrimination against LGBT people.
February 2022: Release of "The Joker and the Queen" duet
In February 2022, Ed Sheeran released a duet version of "The Joker and the Queen" featuring Taylor Swift and also released a new version of "Bad Habits" with Bring Me the Horizon. The date is February 2022.
2022: Renewal of Sponsorship with Ipswich Town
In 2022, Ed Sheeran's +–=÷x Tour kit sponsorship deal with Ipswich Town was renewed for the 2022–23 season.
March 2023: Announcement of "Subtract" album and release of lead single
In March 2023, Ed Sheeran announced his sixth studio album, "Subtract", set to release in May. He also released the album's lead single, "Eyes Closed", along with its music video. The date is March 2023.
April 2023: Release of "Boat"
In April 2023, Ed Sheeran released "Boat" as the second single off the record Subtract. The date is April 2023.
April 2023: "Let's Get It On" Trial Verdict
In April 2023, the trial in New York concerning the "Let's Get It On" copyright case concluded with a unanimous verdict in favor of Ed Sheeran, with lawyers arguing that similar "building blocks" and chord progressions exist in many pop songs.
May 2023: Release of "Subtract" and "Life Goes On"
In May 2023, Ed Sheeran released his sixth studio album "Subtract", and released the third single "Life Goes On" off the record. The date is May 2023.
May 2023: Release of - (“Subtract”)
On 5 May 2023, Ed Sheeran released his sixth album, - (“Subtract”), adding another studio album to his discography.
August 2023: Announcement of Autumn Variations
In August 2023, Ed Sheeran announced his second album of the year, Autumn Variations. The date is August 2023.
September 2023: Release of Autumn Variations
In September 2023, Ed Sheeran's album Autumn Variations was released. It is his first studio album for which he owns the copyright, and also his first to be released through Gingerbread Man Records. The date is September 2023.
July 2024: 3rd Most Followed Artist on Spotify
As of July 2024, Ed Sheeran is the 3rd most followed artist on Spotify, underscoring his continued popularity and influence in the music streaming world.
2024: Endorsed Labour Party and Keir Starmer
In 2024, Ed Sheeran endorsed the Labour Party and its leader Keir Starmer during the general election.
February 2025: Confirmation of eighth studio album
In February 2025, Ed Sheeran confirmed his upcoming eighth studio album to be titled Play. The date is February 2025.
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