Just hours before South Korean band BTS's concert in Santiago, Ñuñoa Mayor Sebastián Sichel asked attendees not to camp around the National Stadium. His appeal followed reports from residents and the group's own fans about tents and early queues appearing in the area.
According to ADN Radio, the mayor posted a video on his Instagram account. In it, he recalled that existing ordinances prohibit camping in public spaces and outlined the concert logistics.
"Attention, Armys, some information for you," Sichel began, using the name by which the BTS fan community is known worldwide. He then provided the schedule: the National Stadium opens at 14:00, but admission will be at 16:30. "Camping at the stadium is prohibited," he stressed.
The mayor also described the scale of the production. He said it was "the biggest event, with a 360° stage, since the one U2 put on," referring to the Irish band. He closed with an appeal for consideration: "Help us make sure the neighbors enjoy it too."
Tents set up by groups of fans at the entrances to Parque Estadio Nacional sparked debate on social media. Videos of fans camped outside the stadium circulated in recent hours, while neighborhood associations expressed concern about the impact on the neighborhood.
The scene has something of a familiar ritual about it. Long queues and waiting as a test of devotion recur at large concerts. This time, however, the fan communities themselves set the limit.
The group BTS Chile backed the municipal position and asked fans to respect those who live in the area. "Camping around the park is prohibited," it said, urging people to report such situations immediately by phone.
The sources differ on one detail of that message. ADN Radio says the numbers are for Municipal Security and the police, while BioBioChile reports that they are for Citizen Security and the police.
With the schedule now set, fans are due in Ñuñoa this afternoon: doors open at 14:00, with access to the venue from 16:30.