BTS World Cup halftime, IVE at Citi Field, RESCENE halftime show: K-pop at the stadium
K-pop acts hit major sporting venues this summer, from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey to a Seoul football friendly.
BTS co-headlined the first official halftime show in World Cup final history on July 19. They performed Dynamite in an 11-minute set at New Jersey Stadium during the Spain vs. Argentina 2026 FIFA World Cup final, sharing the bill with Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. Chris Martin curated the show. Global Citizen produced it. Spain won 1-0 in extra time, claiming their second World Cup title.
The group kept the momentum going stateside. BTS played MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 1 as part of their Arirang tour, with two more dates at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on August 10 and 11. Maryland Governor Wes Moore posted a video welcoming them on the 9th. Local transportation authorities extended last train times and increased service for the concerts.
The live music economy offers some context for that reception. North American top-tour total revenue reached $5.8 billion last year, up 55% from 2019. Average revenue per stadium show sits at $7.11 million. Average ticket price: $216. The U.S. live music market as a whole hit $18.5 billion last year.
Beyoncé led individual artist tour revenue at $408 million. Oasis came in at $405 million. Coldplay pulled $390 million. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour set the all-time record over 2023 and 2024, bringing in more than $2 billion across 21 months. Consumer spending ripple effects were estimated at up to $5 billion by polling firm QuestionPro—a figure larger than the GDP of some small nations. (The Philadelphia Fed even cited Swift concert tourism in its 2023 Beige Book as a driver of post-COVID hotel sales highs.)
IVE attended the New York Mets vs. LA Dodgers game at Citi Field on July 26. Jang Won-young threw the ceremonial first pitch. The Mets won 8-3 on home runs from Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien, snapping the Dodgers' five-game winning streak.
Back in Seoul, ATEEZ member San performed the opening kick at the August 9 Coupang Play Series match between Manchester City and Atlético Madrid at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Girl group RESCENE handled the halftime show, performing LOVE ATTACK, Pinball, and Pretty Girl. Manchester City won 3-1, with two goals from Omar Marmoush and one from Rayan Aït-Nouri. Lee Kang-in, who transferred to Atlético Madrid in July and received the number 7 jersey, made his debut for the club as a second-half substitute in the same match.
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