Ed Sheeran Gets Ipswich No.17 Shirt Again

Ed Sheeran has been handed Ipswich Town's No.17 shirt again, continuing one of the most unusual traditions in English football.

The global music star has been included in Ipswich's squad-number list despite never playing professional football for the club.

The No.17 has been associated with Sheeran since 2021, when Ipswich gave him the number as a gesture of appreciation for his support. The number was chosen because he was born on February 17.

The tradition continued in the EFL, although Ipswich did not assign the number to Sheeran during the 2024/25 Premier League season. He returned to the squad-number list for 2025/26 and has now been included again.

The decision has attracted criticism from some football fans, who question why a musician and minority shareholder should appear among the club's squad numbers.

Sheeran previously responded to one critic by explaining that he did not ask for the shirt number. He said Ipswich offered it to him in 2021 and added that shirts carrying “Sheeran 17” sell well and generate profit for the club.

There is also a genuine financial connection between Sheeran and Ipswich.

The singer became a 1.4% shareholder in August 2024 after years of supporting the club. He was also Ipswich's main shirt sponsor from 2021 until the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.

His relationship with the club goes back much further. Sheeran has supported Ipswich since childhood and remained involved through their difficult years outside the Premier League.

He was also present when Ipswich secured another promotion to the Premier League in May 2026, celebrating with the players in the dressing room after the victory over QPR.

So, no, Ed Sheeran is not suddenly being treated as a professional footballer.

The No.17 is a symbolic gesture, and Ipswich clearly sees value in the association.

But would you give a famous supporter an official squad number?