BTS fans petition for Key to the City of São Paulo

Fans of the South Korean group BTS have launched a petition requesting that the City of São Paulo award the group the ‘Chave da Cidade’ (Key to the City). The petition has gathered over 115,000 verified signatures, with a significant surge of 80,000 signatures occurring in a single day.

The campaign is directed at the São Paulo City Hall and municipal departments for culture, tourism, and international relations. Supporters argue the honor recognizes the deep cultural bond between the group and Brazil, noting that São Paulo hosts one of the largest BTS fan communities outside of Asia. The Key to the City is a rare distinction granted directly by the mayor, typically reserved for significant cultural figures such as the Carnival Court.

The mobilization comes ahead of BTS’s upcoming ‘ARIRANG’ tour, which includes three sold-out performances at the MorumBIS stadium on October 28, 30, and 31. The group's visit to Brazil serves as the conclusion of their Latin American tour leg.