It's rare that a shop will stay open late/open early to sell copies of a new release, but that's exactly what's happening in just a couple of weeks.

Sheeran's new album is proving itself the Harry Potter book of the music retail world, as it will see several music stores nationwide will fling open their doors at midnight so that fans can get their hands on a physical copy of '÷' without delay.

Dublin's Tower Records on Dawson Street will host a midnight Ed Sheeran party on Thursday, March 2nd, which will see anyone who turns up to the midnight openin automatically entered into a draw to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to see him live in the 3Arena in April. The winner will be chosen an hour after doors open, and no queuing is allowed before 7pm on March 2nd.

Music Zone in Cork and OMG@Zhivago in Galway will also open at midnight on Thursday, March 2nd and both stores will also be running ticket competitions for his 3Arena gigs.