Ed Sheeran’s Play opens at No. 1 in the U.K., becoming his ninth consecutive chart-topping album and tying him with Bob Dylan and Take That for career total leaders. LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 23: Ed Sheeran attends the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Ed Sheeran returns to the top spot on the albums chart in his home country of the United Kingdom this week. The singer-songwriter might not always reach No. 1 when he produces singles, but his winning streak with complete projects is truly impressive.
As Sheeran scores a new No. 1 album in the U.K., he matches some of the most successful musical acts of all time in that nation, and he breaks his tie with several others at the same time.
Play Opens at No. 1
Sheeran’s latest full-length Play debuts at No. 1 on the Official Albums chart. That tally ranks the most consumed projects across the country and uses a methodology that takes into account both actual purchases and streams.
Ed Sheeran Lands His Ninth Consecutive No. 1
Play marks Sheeran’s ninth No. 1 album in the U.K. It’s also his ninth title in a row to reach the summit. Ever since he first conquered the ranking, none of his releases have failed to lead for at least one frame.
Every Ed Sheeran Album That Has Reached No. 1
Sheeran has now ruled the Official Albums chart with all of the following releases: +, X, ÷, No. 6 Collaborations Project,=, –, Autumn Variations, +−=÷× (Tour Collection), and now Play.
Of that bunch, ÷ is far and away the most successful when looking at the total number of weeks running the show. That blockbuster, which produced hits like “Shape of You,” ruled for 20 weeks.
Only one other full-length from Sheeran — his previous studio effort X — managed double-digit stays on the throne. X commanded the Official Albums chart for 13 weeks, beginning in the summer of 2014.
Ed Sheeran’s First Two Projects Missed the Top 10
Sheeran has sent 11 releases to the Official Albums list, and only two of them — his first two — missed ruling the roost. In fact, neither of them even broke into the top 10.
No. 5 Collaborations Project spent one week at No. 46 in January 2011. That summer, Loose Change debuted, and it would climb as high as No. 90. Before that year was over, Sheeran would hit No. 1 for the first time with +, his breakout project.
Ed Sheeran Ties Bob Dylan and Take That
With nine No. 1 albums now to his credit, Sheeran is tied with Bob Dylan, Take That, and Stereophonics on the list of artists that have conquered the Official Albums chart with the greatest number of releases.
Before Play opened at No. 1, he was on the same level as Oasis, Led Zeppelin, R.E.M., The Killers, and Westlife, all of whom managed eight champions. Now he has passed them, and there’s a good chance that most of those acts, if not all of them, will never add to their growing totals again.
Play Dominates Multiple Charts
Play is one of the biggest winners of the week in the U.K., but it doesn’t manage to lead every chart. Sheeran debuts his new set at No. 1 not just on the all-encompassing ranking of the most popular projects in the nation, but also on the Official Albums Sales, Official Albums Downloads, and Official Physical Albums charts at the same time.
Who Blocks Ed Sheeran From No. 1?
Play does not manage to lead two of the tallies on which it debuts across the Atlantic. Sheeran launches at No. 2 on both the Official Albums Streaming and Official Vinyl Albums rosters.
On the list of the most successful titles on streaming platforms in the U.K., Sabrina Carpenter holds at No. 1 with Man’s Best Friend. The pop singer debuted at No. 1 three weeks ago and has not budged since. Over on the Official Vinyl Albums list, Twenty One Pilots beat Sheeran as the duo’s new set Breach launches in first place.
Singles From Play Become Hits
Sheeran released five singles from Play, and all of them have become top 20 wins on the Official Singles chart, the busiest songs tally in the U.K. The biggest hit from the bunch is “Azizam,” the first tune pushed from this era. That cut stalled at No. 3. Third official single “Sapphire” climbed all the way to No. 5, giving the set a pair of top 10 successes.
Fellow singles “Camera,” “Old Phone,” and “A Little More” didn’t quite make it to the top 10, which is a bit surprising for someone as popular as Sheeran is in the U.K. Those tracks peaked at Nos. 16, 17 and 18, respectively. Of that bunch, “Camera” is the latest to debut on the Official Singles chart, as it arrives this week.
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