The report says organisers initially planned to open the gates at 4pm, with Katy J Pearson scheduled for 5pm and CMAT due on stage at 6pm. The semifinal would then be shown at 8pm.
That approach had a practical logic: fans could watch the concert and stay for the match. But the reaction exposed a problem. Some supporters had bought tickets for a music event, not a football screening, while earlier start times could have made it difficult for local workers to arrive.
Under the revised schedule, Katy J Pearson is expected to perform at 7:15pm, followed by CMAT at 8:30pm, according to the update. That restores the main act to its original position and puts the concert first.
The report says the semifinal will still be available on televisions in the Link building between the Biomes. Fans who want both experiences will have an option, while those attending specifically for the music will not have the headline performance reshaped around the fixture.
The Eden Project had reportedly tried a similar solution for an earlier England knockout match, bringing a concert forward before showing the game. This time, the response suggests that football access alone was not enough to justify changing the rhythm of the event.
The next test comes when England face Argentina and the venue attempts to serve both audiences at once. For CMAT’s supporters, the key outcome is clear: the concert remains the main event, with the semifinal available as an additional choice rather than the evening’s organising principle.