Colombian pop superstar Shakira performed to an estimated two million people on Saturday night at a free open-air concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, in what is being described as the largest show of her career. The event, part of the city's 'Todo Mundo no Rio' series of mega-concerts, saw fans arriving at the iconic beachfront as early as Saturday morning to secure a good spot before the evening performance.
Speaking ahead of the show in an interview with Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo, Shakira described the moment as a long-held dream. "For me, it is a dream. I have always dreamed of performing on this beach. I find it a magical place," she said. The concert, which was preceded and followed by DJ sets to help manage the safe dispersal of the enormous crowd, also featured guest appearances from Brazilian artists including Anitta, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and Ivete Sangalo.
The event was funded by the city of Rio de Janeiro as part of a deliberate strategy to boost the local economy. Officials estimate the concert could generate around 777 million reais — approximately €132 million or £118 million — primarily through tourist spending in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Rio's mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, has argued that the return on the city's investment is roughly forty-fold. Copacabana, the world-famous crescent-shaped beach on Rio's Atlantic coast, has hosted similar large-scale free concerts in recent years, with Madonna performing there in 2024 and Lady Gaga in 2025, both of which drew significant increases in tourist numbers.
It is worth noting, however, that crowd figures for such events are difficult to verify. BBC analysis of the Lady Gaga concert earlier this year found that officially reported attendance numbers for Copacabana shows are likely to be inflated, and the two-million figure cited by the mayor has not been independently confirmed.
The Copacabana concerts have become a signature part of Rio's effort to generate economic activity and cultural prestige beyond its famous annual carnival. "For us, major celebrations are important. They create jobs, but also contribute to the development and identity of the city," Cavaliere said when the Shakira event was announced. The show is also a stop on Shakira's ongoing Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour, named after her 2024 album whose title translates as 'Women No Longer Cry'.