The sheer scale of BTS’s return has officially reached the highest levels of government. Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has taken the unusual step of making a diplomatic appeal to South Korea to help secure more tour dates for the K-pop superstars in her country.
During a press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum confirmed she had sent a formal letter to her South Korean counterpart, President Lee Jae-myung. The request comes after a chaotic ticket release that left hundreds of thousands of Mexican fans—known as ARMY—without a seat.
A massive demand for tickets
The upcoming “Arirang” world tour marks the septet’s first global outing since 2022, following their mandatory military service. While Mexico is one of the group’s largest markets, only three dates were originally scheduled at Mexico City’s GNP Seguros Stadium for May 7, 9, and 10.
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President Sheinbaum noted the staggering gap between supply and demand. “Around 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but there are only 150,000 tickets available,” she stated. “Everyone wants to go.”
Scrutiny on ticketing and resale
The scramble for tickets has also triggered a regulatory crackdown. Mexico’s consumer watchdog has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster and has already begun sanctioning resale platforms like StubHub and Viagogo.
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Authorities have accused these sites of “abusive and disloyal practices.” While official prices topped out at around $1,030 for VIP packages, secondary market listings have reportedly surged past $5,300. In response, the government is working with promoter Ocesa to develop stricter guidelines for future high-demand events.
Organisers hold firm on dates
Despite the presidential intervention, adding more shows may be difficult. Local promoter Ocesa has reportedly stated that extending the run is currently not possible due to the tour’s rigid global schedule.
An industry official echoed this sentiment, pointing out the logistical hurdles. “The tour schedule has already been announced. If one country’s request is accommodated, others may follow, and it becomes an issue of fairness. It’s difficult to increase the number of shows before the tour even begins,” the official explained.
The world tour is set to kick off in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9, shortly after the release of their highly anticipated new album, Arirang, in March.
