The demand for BTS concerts in Mexico is skyrocketing. President Claudia Sheinbaum has taken action, reaching out to South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung for help in securing more shows. Sheinbaum pointed out that about 1 million young fans want to attend, but only 150,000 tickets are available.
BTS is gearing up for a global tour that kicks off in April, shortly after the release of their new album, Arirang, marking their return after a hiatus for military service. The excitement around their tour has created a frenzy, especially in Mexico, a significant hub for K-pop fans, where only three concerts are currently planned.
However, not everyone has been able to snag tickets. Complaints have poured in, prompting Mexico’s consumer watchdog to investigate Ticketmaster and crack down on resale platforms like StubHub and Viagogo for unfair practices. For context, Ticketmaster has been under scrutiny before, particularly during a Bad Bunny concert incident last year, where many fans were denied entry and received refunds totaling around $1 million.
Prices for BTS tickets on Ticketmaster range from about 1,800 to 17,800 pesos (around $100 to $1,030). In contrast, resale tickets can skyrocket to over 92,100 pesos (more than $5,300), leading to frustrations among fans.
As the tour approaches and fans await the Arirang release in March, the landscape of concert ticketing is under the spotlight. Experts suggest that clearer regulations are needed to protect consumers in the face of high demand and ticketing challenges, especially for popular artists like BTS.
For more on BTS’s Arirang and its cultural significance, you can read this analysis.
