Mexico's President Seeks South Korea's Help for More BTS Concerts Amid Ticket Frenzy
In an unprecedented diplomatic move, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally requested South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to assist in arranging additional concerts by global K-pop superstars BTS. This extraordinary appeal highlights the overwhelming demand from young fans in Mexico for the band's return to live performance after a multi-year hiatus.
Unprecedented Fan Demand Sparks Presidential Intervention
At her daily press briefing on 26 January, President Sheinbaum declared, "Everyone wants to go," referring to the unprecedented interest from fans across Mexico. She confirmed sending a diplomatic letter seeking help in arranging extra dates beyond the three already scheduled.
She further elaborated on the staggering scale of demand, stating: "Around 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but there are only 150,000 tickets available." This dramatic disparity underscores the intense anticipation ahead of BTS's first full world tour in years.
BTS Comeback and World Tour Details
BTS — composed of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — is preparing for a major return with their new album titled Arirang, scheduled for release on 20 March 2026. This marks their first group album in over three years following a hiatus since 2022 while members completed South Korea's mandatory military service.
Alongside the album release, the group will launch the Arirang World Tour, their first full world tour since the Permission to Dance on Stage run in 2021–22. The tour begins on 9 April 2026 in Goyang, South Korea, featuring more than 80 dates across 34 cities in 23 countries spanning:
- Asia
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Oceania
The tour will continue through early 2027, yet Mexico's request for additional shows highlights the country's special significance within the global BTS fandom. Mexico is recognized as one of the largest and most passionate BTS fanbases worldwide — known collectively as ARMY.
Ticketing Controversy and Regulatory Action
The extraordinary demand for BTS tickets in Mexico has triggered scrutiny from local authorities. Mexico's consumer watchdog, Profeco, has opened an investigation into ticket sales practices and sanctioned resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo for what it described as "abusive and disloyal practices."
Official tickets originally sold through Ticketmaster Mexico with prices ranging from approximately 1,800 pesos to 17,800 pesos (about $100 to $1,030). However, resale platforms saw prices skyrocket to between 11,300 and 92,100 pesos (exceeding $5,300), intensifying complaints from fans unable to secure tickets through official channels.
Profeco has suggested potential reforms to concert ticketing rules in Mexico, including clearer pricing and information standards for buyers to prevent similar issues in the future.
President Sheinbaum has also engaged with OCESA, the concert promoter behind the Mexico City dates, exploring possibilities for expanded availability or alternative access such as public screens for fans unable to attend in person. However, organizers indicate that the band's already packed international itinerary makes adding dates particularly challenging.
Mexico City Venue and Concert Details
The three currently scheduled concerts in Mexico will take place at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on 7, 9 and 10 May 2026. This venue holds significant global recognition, having been named the world's top concert venue in 2025 by Pollstar magazine for the second consecutive year, with a capacity of approximately 65,000.
Despite the limited number of shows, demand has reached historic proportions. Young fans describe the situation as "historic," and the Mexican president's public advocacy for her nation's youth demonstrates how deeply BTS's global appeal has permeated Mexican society.
Global Response and BTS's Enduring Popularity
The overwhelming response to BTS's resurgence and world tour dates has been mirrored globally. Early ticket sales for the Goyang shows in South Korea reportedly sold out within hours, with additional dates added in some locations due to fan pressure and extraordinary demand.
Ahead of the official tour, album pre-orders for Arirang have broken records, surpassing 4 million copies in one week — exceeding any previous BTS release within a comparable period.
The diplomatic appeal by Mexico's president to bring more BTS shows to her country illustrates the remarkable scale of interest that the band continues to command worldwide, transcending traditional entertainment boundaries and entering the realm of international diplomacy.
