Editor’s Note: This article is based on reporting by Chilean news outlet The Clinic and has been translated and adapted for U.S. readers.
The uncertainty surrounding BTS’s scheduled concerts in Chile has unexpectedly turned into a political headache for President José Antonio Kast’s administration.
The controversy erupted Thursday after it was confirmed that Chile’s National Sports Institute (IND), an agency under the Ministry of Sports led by Sports Minister Natalia Duco, had decided not to authorize the use of the National Stadium’s main arena in Santiago for BTS’s three sold-out concerts scheduled for October 14, 16, and 17.
The government has placed responsibility on concert promoter DG Medios, while politicians across the political spectrum have stepped in, urging authorities to find a solution. Meanwhile, ARMY—the global fan community supporting BTS—has demanded answers and has even warned of possible protests unless the venue is officially confirmed.
The government says it rejected the concerts because of the stadium’s packed schedule and its priority to preserve the venue for sporting events.
According to reporting by The Clinic, building and dismantling the concert’s 360-degree stage would require approximately nine days of work on the stadium field, making it difficult to reach an agreement.
The Clinic also reported Friday that Minister Duco met with representatives of DG Medios on March 27 in a meeting officially registered under Chile’s lobbying law. During that meeting, officials discussed the challenges involved in installing the 360-degree stage designed for the BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG.’
According to that report, DG Medios agreed to submit a mitigation plan for the possible staging of future concerts at the stadium.
As of publication, DG Medios had not publicly commented on the report.
“You Can’t Cancel Something That Was Never Confirmed”
She said the National Sports Institute and the promoter never reached a finalized agreement.
“It is impossible to cancel something that was never confirmed. The National Sports Institute never issued the official approval orders that are normally required in these cases. It has become common for promoters to start selling tickets before receiving those confirmations, and unfortunately fans like ARMY end up paying the price. They bought tickets for a venue that, because of the concert’s technical requirements—including more than 600 tons of equipment on the National Stadium’s field—we cannot approve.”
Duco made the remarks during an interview with Chile’s 24 Horas.
Government Offers Alternative Venue
The government has since offered the park adjacent to the National Stadium as a possible alternative location for BTS’s concerts.
Interior Minister and government spokesperson Claudio Alvarado said negotiations remain ongoing.
“This is ultimately a technical decision. The National Sports Institute issued a report explaining that building a stage of this size would require closing the venue for an extended period. It could also cause damage to the field, which takes a long time to restore. Alternative locations within the National Stadium complex have been offered, and those options are currently being evaluated.”
Other Cities Step Forward
As efforts continue to find a venue, other locations have volunteered to host the concerts.
Officials in Viña del Mar and Concepción have offered their stadiums, while Chilean soccer club Colo-Colo has expressed its willingness to make Estadio Monumental available.
The challenge, however, is that none of these venues appear capable of accommodating the nearly 200,000 fans expected across three concerts. They also lack the space required to build BTS’s planned 360-degree stage.
Political Pressure Mounts
What began as a concert dispute has evolved into a national political issue.
Opposition lawmakers have sharply criticized President Kast’s government, accusing it of failing to support cultural events while leaving more than 200,000 ticket holders in limbo.
Congressman Ignacio Achurra of the left-wing Broad Front announced he would formally request an explanation from the Ministry of Sports regarding the decision to reject the National Stadium.
“It is truly outrageous that more than 200,000 tickets have already been sold, including to people traveling from outside Chile, only for them to learn just months before the concerts that they may not happen because the government failed to create a reasonable schedule that could accommodate both sports and the arts.”
Criticism has also come from the political right.
Former presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei said the public deserves greater transparency about how these decisions are made.
“There must be complete transparency in how these events are approved. Authorities need to explain what has happened with promoters, technical requirements, and the use of the stadium field over the past three years and through June 2027, including when requests were submitted and the exact reasons for every decision.”
Fans Continue to Organize
The political fallout has unfolded alongside growing frustration among BTS fans.
Most of the demonstrations have taken place online, particularly on Minister Duco’s Instagram account, where thousands of comments have been posted demanding answers.
Authorities are also monitoring the possibility of in-person demonstrations.
Several ARMY groups have called for activities through social media, including a protest scheduled for Sunday at Plaza Baquedano in Santiago.
BTS Hasn’t Performed in Chile Since 2017
BTS has not performed in Chile since 2017, when the group held a concert at Movistar Arena.
Although considered a major venue, it is significantly smaller than the National Stadium.
At the time, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook were only beginning the journey that would transform BTS into one of the world’s biggest music acts.
