Tickets for BTS concert in Germany sold out: One million people in queues
South Korean pop superstar BTS a new record, adding to their already impressive list of achievements. Pre-orders for their highly anticipated concert in Germany, titled "ARIRANG," have seen what global media outlets have described as "historic" demand. More than a million people virtually queued up online, hoping to secure a seat at Munich's iconic Allianz Arena, a testament to the group's cultural dominance on the global music scene.
Ticketmaster, the ticketing platform, announced that all tickets allocated for the pre-booking phase were completely sold out as soon as they became available, causing enormous pressure on the site's servers as a result of the influx of hundreds of thousands of ARMYs (the band's fans) simultaneously from all over Europe and the world.
Last chance to catch the global event
In an effort to reassure fans who were unsuccessful, the platform explained that a limited batch of additional tickets will be released during the general sale phase, scheduled to begin on Saturday, January 24. This phase represents the last chance for fans of the band to attend this massive musical event, which is expected to be one of the most prominent artistic events in Europe this year.
The BTS phenomenon and its cross-border impact
This overwhelming turnout is not a fleeting event in BTS's , but rather the continuation of a global phenomenon that began years ago. The group has successfully broken down linguistic and cultural barriers, transforming K-pop from a local phenomenon in South Korea into a mainstream force in the Western music industry. Historically, the group has filled some of the world's biggest stadiums, such as Wembley in London and the Rose Bowl in the United States, making the sold-out Allianz Arena concert a further testament to their enduring and immense popularity.
The significance of choosing “Allianz Arena” and the title “ARIRANG”
The choice of the Allianz Arena carries significant weight, as it is the home of Bayern Munich and one of the icons of European sports. Hosting a concert of this magnitude underscores the economic and popular power of the Korean entertainment industry. Furthermore, the concert's title, "Arirang," holds deep cultural symbolism; "Arirang" is a Korean folk song considered an unofficial national anthem and is listed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This suggests the band's desire to blend modern music with Korean tradition and heritage, presenting it to a Western audience.
Expected economic and tourism impact
This concert is expected to generate a significant economic boost for Munich during its run, as BTS fans are known for their high spending on travel, accommodation, and souvenirs—a phenomenon known economically as the “BTS effect.” Typical estimates for such large-scale events point to an influx of tens of thousands of international visitors, which strengthens the tourism and hospitality sector in the German city and underscores the role of art as a soft power and a powerful economic driver.
