aespa's Brazil Concert Faces Seat Controversy Despite Strong Attendance

aespa's recent concert in Brazil has generated significant discussion due to visible empty seats, even as the event attracted a large audience. The controversy stems from the ambitious decision to expand the concert venue size threefold compared to previous successful shows, coupled with last-minute deep ticket discounts that affected fan sentiment.

The concert, held on September 4, 2026, at São Paulo's Pacaembu Arena, had a total capacity of 28,732 seats. Official reports indicate that 21,652 tickets were sold, achieving a 75% sales rate but leaving over 7,000 seats unoccupied. The organizer, Live Nation, offered discounts of up to 60% on standing and north-side seats just before the show, an effort to fill the venue that did not fully succeed. This contrasts with aespa's 2023 São Paulo performance, which successfully sold out an 8,000-seat venue.

Local bloggers and fans expressed disappointment, particularly those who had purchased tickets at full price well in advance. They criticized the concert's planning for overestimating the local market's capacity and expanding the venue too aggressively. While acknowledging the artists' strong performance, many felt that a more pragmatic approach to venue selection could have prevented the visual impact of empty seats and ensured a more uniformly celebrated event for all attendees.