BTS Surges in Latin America with Record Streams and World Cup Final Performance
BTS leads Latin America in streams and concert demand, and will perform alongside Madonna and Shakira at the 2026 World Cup final halftime show.
- • Brazil and Mexico surpassed South Korea in first-week streams of BTS’s album 'ARIRANG'.
- • BTS sold out concerts in Mexico, drawing 150,000 fans, and Brazil shows have massive demand.
- • BTS will perform at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final halftime show with Madonna and Shakira.
- • The halftime show supports FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund aiming to raise $100 million.
Key details
Brazil and Mexico have surpassed South Korea in streams and YouTube views of BTS's latest album 'ARIRANG', highlighting the group's escalating popularity in Latin America. According to Luminate data, the album amassed 739.1 million streams globally in its first week, the highest for any album this year. The United States led with 115 million streams, followed by Brazil with 78.6 million and Mexico with 75.9 million, while South Korea trailed with 58.3 million. On YouTube, Brazil and Mexico also ranked above South Korea in BTS-related views.
The group's influence extends beyond digital platforms. BTS sold out three concerts in Mexico City’s GNP Seguros Stadium, attracting around 150,000 fans, with a large gathering of over 50,000 ARMY fans at the Plaza de la Constitución after a meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. In Brazil, BTS is set to perform three shows at the Morumbi stadium on October 28, 30, and 31. Tickets sold out within minutes, with Ticketmaster reporting a demand of over 3.7 million tickets, equivalent to filling over 48 stadiums.
Adding to their impact in the region, BTS will join global icons Madonna and Shakira for a historic halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the event's significance, noting it will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, aiming to raise $100 million. One dollar from every ticket sold for the World Cup matches will contribute to this charitable initiative.
This combination of streaming dominance, massive concert attendance, and a landmark World Cup performance underscores BTS's remarkable cultural and entertainment influence in Latin America, especially Brazil.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
