BTS Meets Mexican President at National Palace Ahead of Sold-Out Mexico City Shows

Mexico City: Global K-pop phenomenon BTS received a presidential welcome in Mexico City on Wednesday, meeting President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace and greeting throngs of emotional fans from the iconic palace balcony, days before three sold-out concerts at Estadio GNP Seguros as part of the group's ongoing ARIRANG world tour.

Sheinbaum, who had confirmed the meeting at her morning press briefing, described the septet as a band that consistently carries messages of friendship, peace and love — a sentiment that has clearly resonated deeply in Mexico, one of BTS's strongest global markets. The meeting was not entirely surprising given the president's well-documented support for the group. When the Mexico City tour dates were confirmed in January, she publicly welcomed the announcement, calling it a historic moment for younger Mexicans who had long awaited the shows.

Handout picture released by Mexico's presidency press office showing fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS in front of the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on May 6, 2026.(Photo | AFP)

Outside the palace, the scenes were charged with emotion. Fans held banners declaring BTS would "always be in the heart of Mexico," with many moved to tears at the sight of the group. The fervour extended well beyond the palace gates — earlier in the week, fans had gathered along Paseo de la Reforma for a promotional event, dancing to BTS songs and marking themselves with temporary tattoos in collective anticipation.

According to BTS' label BigHit Music, Mexico ranks as the fifth-largest K-pop market in the world, with BTS commanding the genre's most devoted fanbase in the country. All three Estadio GNP Seguros dates — Thursday, Saturday and Sunday — sold out shortly after tickets went on sale.