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Mexican president moves to ensure fair ticketing for historic BTS concert

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By Hankookilbo
  • Published KST
  • Updated KST
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Monday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Monday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stepped in to tackle mounting concerns over ticket transparency for BTS’ Mexico City concerts, calling the tour a "historic" moment for the nation.

During a press briefing on Monday (local time), Sheinbaum welcomed the K-pop supergroup’s return to the stage.

“It is a very famous Korean group that young people love,” Sheinbaum said. “It is great that they are coming because it was a historic request from Mexican youth.”

BTS recently announced a massive world tour, their first in four years. The three-day concert in Mexico is set for May 7, 9 and 10 at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City. The venue, which has a capacity of about 60,000, is a premier stop for global acts, having hosted Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift. It has also become a hub for K-pop, with BLACKPINK and TWICE performing there in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

However, excitement has been tempered by frustration over ticket sales. Ticketmaster and local promoter OCESA have released the dates but have yet to disclose ticket prices or purchasing procedures, even though the presale is just days away. The lack of information has sparked an outcry from fans on social media.

Addressing the issue, Sheinbaum acknowledged the fans’ concerns. Following the president’s remarks, Ivan Escalante Ruiz, head of Mexico’s Federal Consumer Attorney’s Office, confirmed the government is taking immediate action.

“Today, we are sending a formal request to the provider to compel them to be transparent about everything the fans are asking for,” Escalante said. “We are also asking the company to inform us what percentage of tickets will be allocated for each of these processes.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.