BTS is currently on a journey to meet fans around the world, with 88 concerts scheduled across 34 cities. At many stops, additional shows have been added due to overwhelming demand from fans, while all tickets sold out during the initial ticket sale. This demonstrates the immense anticipation that fans around the world have for the ARIRANG World Tour.
Latin αмєяι¢α, in particular, has become one of BTS' most vibrant markets. Following the tremendous success of the group's three concerts in мєχι¢σ, BTS is set to return to the region in October with concerts in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and вяαzιℓ. The tour will make the group the first кσяєαn act to perform at several of the region's iconic stadiums, including Estadio Nacional in Santiago.
However, contrary to the excitement that had surrounded the concerts until recently, ARMYs in Chile are now facing growing concerns that BTS' concerts in the country may not take place as scheduled.
According to The Clinic, Chile's Ministry of Sport, through the Instituto Nacional de Deporte (IND), has decided not to authorize the use of Estadio Nacional for BTS' concerts scheduled for October 14, 16, and 17. The report states that the agreement between promoter DG Medios and the stadium's management is believed to have collapsed following the authorities' decision, despite the contract reportedly being worth approximately 1 billion Chilean pesos, with the payment going directly to the national treasury.
Immediately after The Clinic published the report, numerous media outlets across Chile also began reporting the same information, all citing an official statement issued to the press by the National Sports Institute. In the statement, the IND said it had not approved the use of the Coliseo Central area of Estadio Nacional for BTS' concerts due to technical and operational criteria.
The IND explained that setting up the stage would take approximately nine days. Meanwhile, the installation of the 360-degree stage could affect the stadium's hybrid turf, disrupting sporting events already scheduled at Estadio Nacional, including Chile national team matches, Universidad de Chile league matches, as well as the Telethon charity event due to the time required for both the installation and dismantling of the stage.
However, the reasons given by the Instituto Nacional de Deporte have been met with significant backlash and criticism from fans. Their reactions include:
- They always screw us over with every ∂αми thing. That useless excuse for a minister approves rodeos (which are literally animal abuse), but not concerts because the field might get damaged for the national team's matches? The same team that plays like crap and never wins anything?
- Do they really think stadiums in the rest of the world don't host sporting events? Stadiums far more important than ours? Las Vegas, Los Angeles... they're all sports venues, and nobody complained.
- But when U2 brought their 360° stage a couple of years ago, there was no problem at all. What a complete incompetent. It's honestly awful too
- The Bad Bunny had two stages at the National Stadium, and the National Sports Institute didn't complain at all! I'm so pissed off! F*!*
- Couldn't the stadium owners end up facing a huge fine? Contracts were already signed—you can't just break them like it's nothing only a few months before the concerts. None of this adds up. Why did they approve ticket sales in the first place?
- There were no issues at all with Coldplay or Bad Bunny, even though both artists used the entire stadium. At the very least, they should try to find a solution before making this decision—just like they did for Coldplay's concert, where they installed a protective floor over the grαѕѕ
Notably, as of now, DG Medios, BIGHIT MUSIC, and Ticketmaster have yet to issue any official statement regarding the matter. A few days earlier, when rumors first began circulating, BTS' fan club in Chile had already submitted a request to SERNAC, asking for copies of the official document sent to DG Medios, the promoter's response, and the status of the investigation related to BTS' concerts in Chile. However, SERNAC declined to release the requested documents, stating that all of the records are part of an ongoing investigation.
Following the latest reports regarding Estadio Nacional, which have now been widely covered by Chilean media outlets, BTS' fan club in Chile has become even more frustrated and is demanding official responses from both DG Medios and HYBE. One widely supported message reads: "We urgently need a clear official statement regarding the status of the BTS concert in Chile. Various media outlets are reporting that the event could be canceled, which is only fueling uncertainty. We ask for transparency and prompt official communication as soon as possible."
Another message was directed at the Chilean authorities, stating: "BTS is not 'just another event.'" According to fans, thousands of attendees have already purchased tickets, booked flights and accommodations, and arranged time off from work to attend the concerts. They emphasized that this is not simply a concert, but an event with significant cultural, tourism, and economic impact for Chile. "Chile cannot become the country that missed the opportunity to host one of the biggest live shows in the world," local fans stressed.
At present, the fate of the three concerts in Santiago remains undecided. Fans are hoping that all parties involved will soon reach a solution so that one of the most anticipated stops of the ARIRANG World Tour can proceed as planned!
