According to Sports Illustrated and Variety, Ticketmaster sent a message to Eric Church fans Tuesday saying the “Heart on Fire” singer was calling off his Saturday performance in San Antonio because he plans to watch UNC face Duke in the NCAA basketball tournament.
“This Saturday, my family and I are going to stand together to cheer on the Tar Heels as the team has made it to the Final Four,” Church, 44, wrote in the message. “As a lifelong Carolina basketball fan, I’ve watched Carolina and Duke battle over the years, but to have them match up in the Final Four for the first time in the history of the NCAA Tournament is any sports enthusiast’s dream.”
Church went on to call the decision “the most selfish thing” he has ever asked of fans, the news outlets reported.
“However, it’s that same type of passion felt by the people who fill the seats at our concerts that makes us want to be part of a crowd at a game of this significance,” he continued.
Those who purchased a ticket via Ticketmaster will automatically receive a refund, according to the company’s website.
Photos: Eric Church through the years Here are some memorable photos of country music star Eric Church through the years. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2006: Eric Church arrives at the 2006 CMT Music Awards at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University on April 10, 2006, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2007: Musician Eric Church performs on the Mane Stage during the Stagecoach Music Festival held at the Empire Polo Field on May 5, 2007, in Indio, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2009: Singer/songwriter Eric Church performs at Dierk's Bentley fourth annual Miles & Music For Kids on October 11, 2009, at The RiverStage on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2010: Publisher Katherine Church (left) and singer Eric Church arrive for the 45th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 18, 2010, in Las Vegas. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2011: Eric Church performs onstage at the 45th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 9, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2012: Musician Eric Church performs at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 4, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2013: Music publisher Katherine Church and singer Eric Church arrive at the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 7, 2013, in Las Vegas. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2014: Singer/songwriter Eric Church performs onstage during the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2015: Singer/songwriters Eric Church (left) and Keith Urban perform onstage during the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at AT&T Stadium on April 19, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images for dcp)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2016: Musician Eric Church performs onstage during 2016 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 29, 2016, in Indio, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2017: Singer-songwriter Eric Church performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2017 CMA Music Festival on June 9, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2018: Eric Church performs during Pepsi's Rock the South Festival in Heritage Park on June 2, 2018, in Cullman, Alabama. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Rock the South Festival)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2019: Eric Church performs on stage during Day 2 of the 2019 CMA Music Festival on June 7, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2020: Eric Church attends the the 54th annual CMA Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMA)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2021: Jazmine Sullivan and Eric Church perform the national anthem before Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium on February 7, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Photos: Eric Church through the years 2022: Ashley McBryde and Eric Church perform onstage during the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards at Allegiant Stadium on March 7, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ACM)