Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure more concerts by global K-pop superstars BTS, citing overwhelming demand from young fans in Mexico. The extraordinary request highlights how fervent the support is for the band’s return to playing live after a multi-year hiatus.
Mexico’s president is looking for more BTS concerts as demand for tickets explodes
At her daily press briefing on January 26, President Sheinbaum stated, “Everybody wants to go,” referring to the unprecedented interest from fans throughout Mexico. She confirmed that she had sent a diplomatic letter asking for help arranging additional dates beyond the three already scheduled.
She further elaborated on the scale of the demand, saying, “About 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but there are only 150,000 tickets available,” underscoring the intense interest ahead of BTS’ first full world tour in years.
Background: BTS Comeback and World Tour
BTS – made up of RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook – are gearing up for a big comeback with a new album titled Arirang, which is set to be released on March 20, 2026. It will be their first group album in more than three years after a hiatus since 2022 when the members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea.
Read also | BTS Comeback: Global Icons Announce New Album, Major World Tour
Along with the album release, the group is set to embark on the Arirang World Tour, which will be their first full world tour since Permission to Dance on Stage in 2021–22. The tour is scheduled to begin on April 9, 2026 in Goyang, South Korea and will include more than 80 dates in 34 cities in 23 countries spanning Asia, North America, South America, Europe and Oceania until early 2027.
Despite this already ambitious plan, the Mexican government’s request to add another show in Mexico City highlights just how special the country’s fandom is for BTS. Mexico is recognized as having one of the largest and most passionate BTS fan bases in the world – a fandom widely known as ARMY.
Ticketing issues and regulatory control
Demand for BTS tickets in Mexico has been so intense that it has prompted scrutiny by local authorities. Mexico’s consumer watchdog, Profeco, launched an investigation into how the tickets were sold and sanctioned sales platforms StubHub and Viagogo for what it described as “abusive and unfair practices”.
Official tickets initially went on sale through Ticketmaster Mexico, with prices ranging from about 1,800 pesos to 17,800 pesos (approximately US$100 to US$1,030). However, prices soared to between 11,300 and 92,100 pesos (more than US$5,300) on sales platforms, further exacerbating complaints from fans who were unable to secure tickets through official channels.
Profeco suggested that reforms to the rules for concert tickets in Mexico may be necessary to avoid similar problems in the future, including clearer pricing and information standards for buyers.
Read also | Ticketmaster, Live Nation face lawsuit from concertgoers over monopoly on ticket sales
President Sheinbaum has also been in talks with OCESA, the concert promoter behind the Mexico City dates, in hopes of expanding availability or providing alternative access such as public screens for fans unable to attend in person. However, organizers have indicated that the band’s already busy international itinerary makes it difficult to add dates.
Mexico City exhibitions and the significance of the venue
The three concerts scheduled in Mexico are scheduled to take place at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on May 7, 9 and 10, 2026. The venue is one of the most important concert venues in the world, Pollstar magazine named it the world’s best concert venue in 2025 for the second year in a row, with a capacity of about 65,000 seats.
Read also | Mexico rejects Trump’s offer of military strikes against drug cartels
Despite the limited number of performances, the demand is extraordinary. Young fans called the situation “historic,” and the Mexican president’s public advocacy for her nation’s youth reflects how deeply BTS’s global appeal has permeated society.
The global demand and enduring popularity of BTS
The overwhelming response to BTS’ revival and world tour date is reflected globally. Advance ticket sales for the Goyang show in South Korea reportedly sold out within hours, with additional dates added in some venues due to fan pressure and demand.
Ahead of the official tour, album pre-orders for Arirang also broke records, surpassing 4 million copies in one week – a number higher than any previous BTS release in a comparable period.
Read also | BTS announces 14-track fifth studio album, world tour confirmed
The Mexican president’s diplomatic appeal to bring more BTS concerts to his country demonstrates the extent of interest the band continues to command around the world.
