Chile refuses BTS national stadium booking as local fans stage mass protest

Chile's authorities have refused to allow BTS to stage their world tour concert at the national stadium, prompting a fierce backlash from local fans.

Major international media outlets, including El País, reported on the 6th (local time) that Chile's National Institute of Sports (IND), which operates under the Ministry of Sports, had decided not to approve BTS's ARIRANG performance scheduled for October at the Santiago National Stadium. The IND cited the planned installation of a 360-degree central stage, saying it could damage the turf and disrupt major sporting fixtures, including Chile's national football team matches scheduled for November.

The shows had generated such strong demand that all seats for the three dates sold out almost immediately through the local promoter, but the sudden withdrawal of venue approval has put the concerts in doubt.

On 5 October, several hundred local BTS fans (ARMY) poured into central Santiago to stage large-scale protests. Carrying placards reading "Music and art do not damage stadiums," they marched as far as the area near La Moneda Palace, Chile's presidential palace, to denounce the authorities' decision. Some fans went further, alleging that the government was using a high-profile BTS concert to deflect from a political crisis, intensifying their criticism.

As the fallout grew, the Chilean government moved to defuse the situation. The local promoter submitted a new technical proposal including enhanced turf-protection measures, and the government said it would conduct an additional review and fully reconsider whether to approve the concert.

Meanwhile, BTS began their world tour in their home country last April and are currently undertaking the largest single K-pop tour to date, scheduled for a total of 88 performances across 34 cities worldwide. The group's label, BigHit Music, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the Chile venue refusal.