How big-name concerts forced the NFL to juggle its schedule

The NFL is the world’s most powerful entertainment machine, but even it can’t mess with stars like Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift or Beyoncé.

Thirteen superstar concerts at NFL stadiums this fall forced the league to juggle its schedule to make sure teams didn’t play at home the same weekend as the concert.

Although the schedule/concert juggling act happens every year, there seems to be a greater number of concerts — and scheduling headaches — this year.

The NFL’s 2018-19 schedule, released Thursday, showed 13 potential concert/NFL game conflicts.

Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to stop at eight NFL stadiums during the season, forcing nine teams to play on the road that weekend.

Sheeran will play at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 21 and 22 — pushing both the Jets and Giants onto the road during Week 3.

Taylor Swift’s tour is sending three teams on the road, including the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1 — and Beyoncé and Jay Z are displacing two others, including the San Francisco 49ers from Levi’s Stadium in Week 4.

Although some reports claim this year’s NFL season is unusually conflicted with concerts, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy called it business as usual.

“We’ve even had conflicts with the pope,” he said of a request that the Philadelphia Eagles not play at home during the pontiff’s visit in Week 3 of 2015.

“Team owners generally have complete scheduling control over the use of their home stadiums,” Pollstar’s Gary Bongiovanni said. “They want those shows and the income, prestige, etc., that comes from a superstar playing at their house.”