Taylor Swift Eras Tour: Sydney concert evacuated as lightning strikes hit Accor Stadium

Taylor Swift Eras Tour: Sydney concert evacuated as lightning strikes hit Accor Stadium

Taylor Swift has finally taken to the stage after her highly anticipated Eras Tour concert was delayed by wild weather and fans were evacuated from Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Wild weather lashing Sydney on Friday evening caused chaos for the 80,000 Swifties heading to her first show of the Eras Tour in the city.

Fans sitting on the floor and lower bowl levels of the stadium were asked to move inside after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away shortly before 6pm.

Taylor Swift fans have been evacuated from the Accor Stadium in Sydney after lightning strikes nearby – with the superstar’s performance now delayed

Fans sitting on the floor and lower bowl levels of the stadium were asked to move inside after lightning struck just 10 kilometres away

Swift is seen playing in the rain during a show in Foxborough, Massachusetts last May

A statement from Accor Stadium issued just before 6pm told concert-goers the three-hour show had been delayed.

‘Please note, due to weather, show start time has been delayed,’ it said.

‘Stay undercover until further notice and follow venue screens and staff instructions.

‘Stay safe and remember to be kind to those around you.’

Swift took to the stage at about 7.50pm, while her support act Sabrina Carpenter was axed for Friday night’s performance.

Carpenter was due to begin at 6.20pm and Swift was supposed to start at 7.30pm.

A statement from Accor Stadium told concert-goers the three-hour show has been delayed as fans race to get under cover

Swifties are seen sheltering from the rain at Swift’s first Sydney concert of the Eras Tour on Friday night

Wild weather lashed Sydney on Friday evening as 80,000 Taylor Swift fans head to her show

One Swiftie is seen hiding underneath a poncho as wild weather lashed Sydney

A man’s voice was earlier heard on a loudspeaker at the stadium telling fans that lightning had struck 10kms away and ticket holders needed to evacuate.

A stream of concert-goers, most wearing plastic rain ponchos, were seen moving to undercover areas of the stadium following the announcement.

Accor Stadium had said the show will run unless there is ‘severe weather which could impact the safety of artists and patrons’.

‘I’m just really nervous about the rain, it’s pretty clear here but Accor still haven’t announced when the show is going to start,’ one Sydney Swiftie, Annabelle, told Daily Mail Australia before the show began.

‘I’m just kind of stressed with the noise curfew and everything.’

Accor Stadium is understood to have a curfew of 11pm. Swift’s Eras Tour shows run for just under three-and-a-half-hours.

Another fan said she was fed up about the lack of communication.

‘I’m mad. Twenty minutes until showtime and we have no idea what’s happening!’ she said.