Madonna cancels US tour dates, including Phoenix. What to know about refunds

Madonna has postponed the fall North American dates of her Celebration Tour, which was supposed to bring the Queen of Pop to Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix on July 22, 2023, as she continues to recover from a health scare that landed her in a New York City hospital's intensive care unit.

The July 22 concert is canceled and a rescheduled date will be announced. A second Footprint Center concert date on Jan. 20, 2024, is not affected by the rescheduling.

Madonna shared the news on Instagram, thanking fans for their positive energy, prayers and words of healing and encouragement.

"I have felt your love," she wrote. "I'm on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all my blessings in life."

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Why did Madonna postpone her tour?

Madonna's Celebration Tour was set to launch in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Saturday, July 15, a week before the July 22 date in Phoenix.

The current plan is to reschedule the fall North American leg of the tour and begin in October in Europe.

"My focus now is my health and getting stronger and I assure you, I'll be back with you as soon as I can," Madonna wrote. "I couldn't be more grateful for your care and support."

Madonna refunds? Live Nation advises fans to hold onto their tickets

Live Nation has confirmed that the first leg of the Celebration Tour in North America has been postponed. This affects all shows currently scheduled between July 15 and Oct. 8, 2023.

Rescheduled dates will be announced as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets as they will be valid for the new dates.

The standard Ticketmaster refund policy is in effect. Once a new date is announced, or if new dates aren't announced within 60 days, fans will be able to request refunds.

Why was Madonna in the hospital?

Guy Oseary, the singer’s talent manager and producer, shared the news on social media last month that Madonna had developed "a serious bacterial infection" on Saturday, June 24, which led to "a several-day stay in the ICU."

A Page Six article reported that the singer "was found unresponsive and rushed to a New York City hospital Saturday," where she "was intubated for at least one night before having the tube removed — and she is now alert and recovering."

In her IG post, Madonna wrote, "My first thought when I woke up in the hospital was my children. My second thought was that I did not want to disappoint anyone who bought tickets for my tour."

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Phoenix dates for Madonna's Celebration Tour

The show originally scheduled for July 22 at Footprint Center is one of two Phoenix concerts on the Celebration Tour. Due to popular demand, a second show was added at Footprint Center on Jan. 20, 2024.

Madonna announced the 35-date tour in a star-studded video paying tribute to her “Truth or Dare” film, with cameos by Diplo, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Lil Wayne, Bob the Drag Queen, Kate Berlant, Larry Owens, Meg Stalter and Eric Andre.

The video culminates with Amy Schumer daring Madonna to go on tour and perform her four decades of hits.

Madonna rises to the challenge, announcing Madonna: The Celebration, which takes fans on a journey through her greatest hits while paying homage to the city where her career began: New York.

In a press release, Madonna said, “I am excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes to give my fans the show they have been waiting for.”

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Reach the reporter at ed.masley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Madonna postpones Celebration Tour dates. What fans should know