Ed Sheeran’s “Play” Debuts at No. 5 on the Billboard 200

The British singer-songwriter’s eighth studio album, Play, debuts at No. 5 on the chart dated September 27, 2025.

Released through Gingerbread Man Records and Atlantic Records, in partnership with Warner Music Group (WMG), the album sold 71,000 units in its first week—51,000 of which were pure sales—following its release on September 12, 2025.

Play joins Sheeran’s 2011 debut Plus (+) as one of only two albums in his catalog not to open with at least 100,000 first-week units in the United States. By comparison, Multiply (x) debuted in 2014 with 210,000 units, Subtract (-) in 2023 with 112,000, Equals (=) with 118,000, and his career-best, Divide (÷), arrived in 2017 with a massive 451,000 units.

Despite the softer U.S opening, Play performed exceptionally in Sheeran’s home country, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart with over 67,000 units sold—his ninth project to open atop the UK rankings.

The album has received generally positive reviews from critics and is supported by multiple singles, including Azizam (No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100), Sapphire (No. 74 on the  Billboard Hot 100), Old Phone, A Little More, and Camera.

Play is also part of Sheeran’s planned series of albums named after media control symbols, with Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, Stop, and Eject slated for future release.

View the Billboard 200 chart here.