BTS draws 70,000 fans at first Spain concert in Madrid

South Korean pop group BTS performed its inaugural concerts in Spain on June 26‑27 at Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, attracting more than 70,000 fans across the two shows. The shows were part of the group’s “Arirang” world tour, launched after the members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service.

The 360‑degree stage allowed the seven members—RM, Jin, Suga, J‑Hope, Jimin, V and Jung‑Kook—to move among the audience while performing hits such as “Hooligan”, “Mic Drop”, “Idol”, “Butter” and “Dynamite”. Fans flooded the venue with purple light sticks and fan‑made fan projects, creating a “purple sea” that highlighted BTS’s strong ARMY community. Attendees travelled from across Spain and other countries, including Ukraine.

The concerts were hailed as a milestone for K‑Pop’s visibility in Europe, with observers noting that BTS has helped normalize the genre beyond its Asian origins. The tour will continue in Brussels on July 1.