Singer Nicki Minaj’s sold out gig at the Co-Op live arena has been cancelled, it has been confirmed

The last minute cancellation comes following a wave of drama after the singer was arrested for alleged possession of ‘soft drugs’ in Amsterdam this afternoon, Saturday May 25.

A statement to the PA news agency from the National Police Corps said a woman, 41, was arrested after allegedly trying to take soft drugs from Schiphol Airport to another country. They confirmed at around 7.30pm that she remained under arrest and that force was still investigating, Manchester Evening News reports.

This came after the singer posted a series of tweets on X, she said: “They’re trying to keep me from MANCHESTER.” During a video she then posted onto her Instagram and X profiles, the American rapper and singer can be seen talking to an Amsterdam officer who accuses her of “carrying drugs”.

Despite this news, thousands of fans were still let into the arena hoping they’d be able to see the singer perform live. The singer had not made an social media posts since 4pm, and was originally due on stage in Manchester at 8pm.

Co-op Live then pushed the opening back to 7pm, giving fans hope. On X, they said: “Please note that general admission and premium doors for tonight’s @NickiMinaj show will now open at 19:00.”

Fans took to Twitter speculating whether the star would make the show, or whether she was even in the UK at all. At 9:40pm, fans were told in the arena that the show had been “postponed despite best efforts”.

Many have shared their frustration online. One tweet read: “My niece was supposed to be seeing nicki minaj tonight in Manchester as an early 18th birthday present and it has been cancelled/postponed, I’m so gutted for her.”

A second tweet read: “Nicki Minaj is a disgrace. It’s 9:40pm and they’ve just announced the concert is postponed. Thousands of fans now having to leave to head home.”