The Weeknd and Shakira are set to headline the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, bringing together two of music’s most influential superstars for a cause that transcends entertainment. This powerhouse collaboration represents more than just a concert—it’s a movement toward global change, combining exceptional musical talent with humanitarian action.
Two Titans of Music Join Forces
When The Weeknd and Shakira take the stage at Central Park’s Great Lawn on September 27, 2025, it will mark a historic moment for the Global Citizen Festival. These two artists, who have collectively sold hundreds of millions of records and shaped the sound of contemporary music, are reuniting with an organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty and creating systemic change worldwide.
The festival announcement came in July 2025, revealing that both artists would co-headline the event alongside performers Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist. Actor Hugh Jackman, a longtime Global Citizen ambassador, will host the event for the eleventh consecutive year, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to the cause.
Both artists expressed genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. Shakira emphasized that music has always been her way of connecting with people and inspiring action, while The Weeknd’s participation continues his pattern of using his massive platform for humanitarian efforts. The Weeknd previously headlined the festival in 2018, and Shakira performed at a Global Citizen event during the G20 Summit in 2017, making this a meaningful return for both performers.
The Weeknd’s Remarkable Journey and Recent Achievements
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as The Weeknd, has established himself as one of the most successful and innovative artists of his generation. His career trajectory from anonymous YouTube uploads to global superstardom exemplifies the transformative power of authentic artistry combined with relentless dedication.
In August 2025, The Weeknd achieved a groundbreaking milestone when his smash hit “Blinding Lights” became the first song in history to surpass five billion streams on Spotify. This achievement solidifies the track’s position as one of the most successful songs ever recorded, and it topped Billboard’s Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs of the 21st Century chart. The song’s success reflects The Weeknd’s ability to create music that resonates across generations and geographic boundaries.
The artist released his sixth studio album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” on January 31, 2025, completing a trilogy that includes “After Hours” and “Dawn FM.” The album represents what The Weeknd has indicated may be his final project under this stage name, though he plans to continue making music. In conjunction with the album, he starred in a companion psychological thriller film of the same name alongside Jenna Ortega, released in May 2025, though the film received mixed reviews from critics.
The Weeknd recently wrapped his After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour, which concluded in early September after a successful run that included four sold-out nights at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. His touring success has been matched by his philanthropic efforts—he donates one dollar from every ticket sold to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, demonstrating his commitment to using his commercial success for social good.
His performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards marked his triumphant return to the Grammy stage after a three-year boycott. The four-time Grammy winner had stepped away from submitting music in 2021 due to concerns about transparency and fairness in the awards process, making his 2025 appearance particularly significant as it signaled reconciliation with the Recording Academy.
Shakira’s Triumphant Comeback and Record-Breaking Tour
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll has proven that resilience and talent create an unstoppable combination. The Colombian superstar’s 2024-2025 Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has shattered records and reestablished her position as one of the most powerful performers in contemporary music.
Her twelfth studio album, “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” (Women No Longer Cry), released in 2024, became the most-streamed album of that year within its first 24 hours and was certified seven times platinum. The album represents a dazzling testament to her resilience and strength, transforming personal challenges into artistic triumphs that resonate with millions of fans worldwide.
The Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which began on February 11, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has become a historic phenomenon. In Latin America alone, Shakira sold over 950,000 tickets across 18 stadium shows in less than two hours, breaking multiple records in the process. In Mexico City, she became the first female artist to perform seven sold-out shows at Estadio GNP Seguros, breaking the record previously held by Taylor Swift with four concerts. The stadium was even temporarily renamed “Shakira stadium” on Google Maps in honor of this achievement.
Live Nation reported that more than two million tickets had been sold by March 2025, with the tour spanning Latin America, North America, and eventually expanding to other continents. The tour’s success has generated significant economic impact in every city she visits, with reports showing dramatic increases in flight bookings and hotel reservations coinciding with her concert dates.
Shakira’s latest single “Soltera,” released in 2024, climbed to Spotify’s Global Top 50 and reached number one on radio stations in several countries. Her collaboration with Bizarrap on “BZRP Music Sessions #53” made history by accumulating over 14 million streams on Spotify and 52 million views on YouTube within 24 hours of release. The song debuted at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making Shakira the first solo woman to debut in the top ten with a Spanish-language song.
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival Mission
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival focuses on three critical humanitarian goals that address urgent global challenges. The campaign aims to provide energy access for one million people across Africa through investments in clean, affordable renewable energy solutions. This initiative includes training 50,000 young workers in critical energy skills like solar installation and grid maintenance, creating both infrastructure and employment opportunities.
The festival also supports the mobilization of 200 million dollars to protect 30 million hectares of Amazon rainforest—an area roughly the size of Italy—by supporting over 20 Indigenous groups who are crucial to preserving this vital ecosystem. Additionally, in partnership with FIFA, the campaign seeks to provide quality education and football access to 30,000 children worldwide through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Locally, the festival aims to register 40,000 New York residents as volunteers across the city, demonstrating that global change begins with local action. The event itself will be powered by sustainable battery systems, feature vegetarian and vegan food options, and incorporate indigenous trees that will later be donated to the Central Park Conservancy.
How Music Creates Change
Tickets to the Global Citizen Festival are technically free but must be earned through advocacy actions. Interested attendees download the Global Citizen app or visit the website to sign up and participate in activities like signing petitions, sharing awareness campaigns, or volunteering in their communities. Each action earns points that can be entered into ticket lotteries, ensuring that those who attend are actively engaged in creating positive change.
The festival will be livestreamed globally on multiple platforms including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and various international broadcasters, allowing millions worldwide to participate in the experience. This approach amplifies the festival’s message far beyond Central Park, creating a truly global movement for change.
Global Citizen has partnered with major corporations including Cisco, Delta Air Lines, PayPal, Procter & Gamble, and Live Nation to support the festival’s mission. These partnerships demonstrate how entertainment, advocacy, and corporate responsibility can combine to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Legacy of Two Humanitarian Artists
Both The Weeknd and Shakira have consistently used their platforms to support humanitarian causes throughout their careers. The Weeknd established the XO Humanitarian Fund in 2022, partnering with the World Food Programme to provide emergency meals to those in need. He has donated millions to causes including education, humanitarian relief in Gaza and Lebanon, and various community programs.
Shakira founded the Barefoot Foundation, focusing on education for underprivileged children in Colombia. She has been recognized by the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations for her dedication to improving children’s lives through education and opportunity. Her work demonstrates that artists can leverage their success to create lasting positive change in their communities and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2025 Global Citizen Festival taking place?
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City. Gates open at 2 PM, with performances starting at 4 PM and running until approximately 10 PM. The event takes place rain or shine.
How can people get tickets to see The Weeknd and Shakira at Global Citizen Festival?
Tickets are free but must be earned through advocacy actions. Fans can download the Global Citizen app or visit the website to sign up, then participate in simple actions like signing petitions, sharing awareness content, or finding volunteer opportunities. Each action earns points that can be entered into ticket lotteries for the festival.
What are the main goals of the 2025 Global Citizen Festival campaign?
The festival focuses on three primary goals: providing energy access for one million people across Africa, mobilizing 200 million dollars to protect 30 million hectares of Amazon rainforest, and ensuring 30,000 children worldwide can access quality education and football in partnership with FIFA. The campaign also aims to register 40,000 New Yorkers as volunteers.
What recent achievements have The Weeknd accomplished?
The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” became the first song to reach five billion streams on Spotify in August 2025. He released his sixth album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” in January 2025, completed his After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour with sold-out performances, and returned to the Grammy stage in 2025 after a three-year boycott. He continues donating one dollar from every ticket sale to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
What records has Shakira broken with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour?
Shakira sold over 950,000 tickets across 18 Latin American stadium shows in less than two hours. She became the first female artist to perform seven sold-out shows at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros and the first female artist to perform in five stadiums across Colombia. Her album “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” became the most-streamed album in 2024 within its first 24 hours and was certified seven times platinum.
Will the Global Citizen Festival be available to watch online?
Yes, the festival will be livestreamed globally on multiple platforms including YouTube, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Twitch, Prime Video, the Global Citizen website and app, and various international broadcasters. This ensures that people worldwide can participate in the experience and support the campaign’s goals even if they cannot attend in person.