El Paso County, Texas, recognized BTS with a special honor ahead of the group’s upcoming concerts in the city. Big Hit Music said on April 28, 2026, that the Commissioners Court of El Paso County approved a resolution giving all seven members the “Estimado Amigo” (Estimated Friend) honor. The county also proclaimed May 2 and May 3, 2026, as “El Paso BTS Weekend.”
ARIRANG🚨On Monday, El Paso County declared May 2 & 3 "BTS Weekend," highlighting how the K-pop band is raising the Borderland's profile, as projections estimate a $75 million economic impact. https://t.co/NCVsg0KGfj pic.twitter.com/gtwxCWkYFO
— ARC El Paso (@ARCElPasoTV) April 27, 2026
The region stated the recognition was connected to BTS’ effect on tourism, community pride, and local visibility. Officials credited the group with helping present El Paso as a major concert destination. They also noted that BTS’ music often carries social messages and public values. Brooke Underwood, an executive director at Visit El Paso, estimated that the two concerts could bring about $75 million in economic impact to the county.
Local fans also helped strengthen the link between BTS and the city. ARMY, the group’s official fandom, organized a campaign to light the “Star on the Mountain” in purple for seven days, from April 28 to May 4, 2026. The landmark had already been lit in red and white in January 2026 to celebrate the boy group’s upcoming visit. Meanwhile, BTS began the North American leg of their “ARIRANG” world tour on April 25, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. After three Tampa shows, the group will perform at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, becoming the first Korean act to hold a standalone concert in that place.
