BTS Meets Mexican President, Greets 50,000 Fans in Mexico City
May 6, 2026 — Members of the K-pop group BTS met with Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace in Mexico City. From a balcony of the palace, they greeted a crowd of approximately 50,000 fans gathered in the Zócalo square, according to estimates from the capital's government.
Meeting at the National Palace
The meeting at the National Palace occurred on the same day as the balcony appearance. President Sheinbaum stated that she requested BTS to return to Mexico the following year. On social media, she wrote:
"I warmly welcome one of the most beloved groups among the youth of Mexico: BTS. Music and values unite Mexico and South Korea."
BTS members addressed the crowd during their brief five-minute appearance on the balcony. Member Kim Nam-joon (RM) expressed gratitude in a mix of Spanish and English, saying:
"Muchas gracias for having us… We can't wait for tomorrow's concert… Te amo. Te quiero, Muchas gracias."
Member Kim Tae-hyung (V) read a message in Spanish from his phone, stating:
"I don't speak Spanish very well… I've missed you… The energy here is incredible. Thank you… See you next time."
Upcoming Concert Schedule
BTS is scheduled to perform three concerts at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on May 7, 9, and 10. Over 136,000 tickets for these shows were sold. Ticketmaster Mexico reported that 136,400 tickets were sold on its platform, and over 2.1 million people visited the site for BTS information.
Diplomatic Request for Additional Concerts
Prior to the meeting, President Sheinbaum had formally requested additional BTS concert dates in Mexico through a communication to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. This request was made after tickets for the three scheduled shows sold out in under an hour.
According to Sheinbaum, approximately 1 million individuals sought tickets for the 150,000 available seats. The South Korean government forwarded the request to HYBE, BTS's management company. Sheinbaum stated on March 17 that President Lee was receptive to the request.
Local concert promoter Ocesa had informed President Sheinbaum that adding more shows was not feasible due to BTS's existing tour itinerary.
Ticket Sales and Regulatory Actions
The ticket sales process faced controversy, leading the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) to demand transparency after receiving complaints and nearly 5,000 emails.
- Official ticket prices on Ticketmaster ranged from approximately 1,800 pesos ($100) to 17,800 pesos ($1,030) for VIP access.
- Resale platforms offered tickets at prices between 11,300 pesos and 92,100 pesos (over $5,300) .
Mexico's consumer watchdog initiated an investigation into Ticketmaster and sanctioned resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo for alleged "abusive and disloyal practices" concerning BTS ticket sales. The watchdog indicated plans to develop new guidelines for concert and festival ticket sales, focusing on pre-established prices and locations.
Reactions
Some members of the Mexican BTS fan community criticized the use of diplomatic channels for concert requests. Other fans criticized President Sheinbaum for politicizing the group's visit.
In late 2025, Mexico's Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard met BTS member Jin during an official visit to South Korea to express fans' appreciation.
Economic Impact
The National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Mexico City estimated an economic impact of approximately $107.5 million from the BTS visit, including nearly $88 million from ticket sales.
Tour Background
BTS returned to global attention in March 2024 after a hiatus during which members completed mandatory military service in South Korea. The group released their new album "Arirang" in March 2026.
The current tour began on April 9, 2026, in Goyang, South Korea. The tour is scheduled to proceed across Asia, Europe, and America. BTS last visited Mexico in 2017. Billboard projected the tour to generate over $1 billion from various revenue streams, including concerts, merchandise, and streaming.