South Korean music phenomenon BTS successfully attracted roughly 150,000 fans across three fully booked concerts in Mexico City.
The highly anticipated shows took place on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as part of the group’s global «Arirang» tour. Tickets for the events vanished immediately upon release, marking the band’s first solo concerts in the country since July 2015.
Stadium crowds and Suga’s reaction
The immense demand for the septet spilled out onto the surrounding streets. While local authorities initially estimated that 35,000 people gathered outside the Estadio GNP Seguros over the weekend, widespread reports and fan accounts claimed the external crowd actually swelled to an astonishing 70,000. The massive turnout forced officials to implement partial traffic controls in the surrounding area.
The sheer volume of the external crowd did not go unnoticed by the performers inside. Band member Suga addressed the phenomenal turnout during the show, revealing to the audience that he could clearly hear the ticketless fans singing outside the venue. Blown away by the overwhelming support, he asked the crowd if there was a bigger stadium available in Mexico for their next visit.
Cultural tributes and presidential welcome
Throughout the performances, the group made a concerted effort to weave local Mexican culture into their setlist. Backing dancers donned traditional lucha libre wrestling masks for a rendition of «Aliens», while V was seen holding a popular local street snack known as a banderilla during «Idol». Fans were also treated to a live performance of «Airplane pt. 2», a track that famously features a lyrical nod to the Mexican capital.
The band’s cultural impact extended all the way to the heart of the Mexican government. On Wednesday, an estimated 50,000 supporters flooded the Zocalo square in front of the National Palace to catch a glimpse of the group as they met with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Following their official talks, the band members stepped out onto a palace balcony alongside the president to greet the roaring crowd.
During their concert, the members spoke in Spanish to express their gratitude.
they told the audience, adding that they would never forget the incredible energy radiating from the historic square.
Economic impact and future dates
The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce calculated that the three-day residency provided a massive financial injection for the local economy. The concerts reportedly generated an estimated $107.5 mln through spending on tickets, transport, accommodation and food.
BTS will now take their world tour to Stanford, California, where they are scheduled to perform on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The North American leg will then conclude in Las Vegas later this month.
Following these dates, the group will head back to South Korea for two shows in Busan on June 12 and 13, with the final performance perfectly aligning with the 13th anniversary of their musical debut.
