aespa's Brazil Concert Faces Controversy Over Empty Seats and Ticket Discounts

aespa's recent world tour concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has generated significant discussion within the K-pop community and among fans. Despite drawing over 21,000 attendees, the event faced controversy due to a noticeable number of empty seats, sparking questions about concert planning and local market assessment.

The concert, held on September 4, 2026, at the Pacaembu Arena, had an expanded capacity of 28,732 seats. Official reports indicate that 21,652 tickets were sold, resulting in a sales rate of approximately 75% and leaving over 7,000 seats unoccupied. Adding to the controversy, the organizer, Live Nation, offered a 60% discount on standing and north-side seats the day before the show, upsetting fans who had purchased tickets at full price. This contrasted sharply with aespa's 2023 Sao Paulo concert, which sold out an 8,000-seat venue.

Local bloggers and fans expressed disappointment, noting that the visual impact of the empty upper-level seats created a stark contrast with the enthusiastic crowd closer to the stage. Many criticized the decision to triple the venue size without adequately considering local purchasing power, suggesting it was an ambitious but ultimately flawed expansion. The situation also highlighted issues with expensive VIP fan packages, which offered only brief interactions, further impacting fan sentiment.