Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, Shakira and more artists do not reach Ecuador for infrastructure deficiencies for concerts – Mercosur Press

In 2025, multiple renowned artists like Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa, ShakiraLady Gaga and Rauw Alejandro They have confirmed dates in various cities in Latin America, generating great expectation among their followers in the region.

But, there is a pattern that is repeated in each ad and shared poster: The total absence of dates in Ecuador. Neither Quito nor Guayaquil appears on the routes of these multimillionaire tours, leaving out the show to thousands of Ecuadorian fans.

Exclusion has generated surprise and discomfort Why is the country being outside these shows? Is it logistics, costs, demand or simple disinterest?

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In previous years, Ecuador was part of international tours —As Bad Bunny’s in Quito (2022) or Shakira in Guayaquil (2018) –but this season, the trend seems to have reversed.

Some absences were predictable – as of Dua Lipa or Taylor Swiftwhich have never included the country in their itineraries – but others are more striking, especially in the case of artists who have already presented here.

While the security context is a factor that is usually mentioned, different voices of the sector agree that the main reason for these absences lies In national infrastructure.

In the words of concert producer Emilio Mejía, The infrastructure remains the Achilles heel for Ecuador. And the first obstacle is clear: The low capacity of the available enclosures.

“There are several factors to take into account, but our main limitation is the capacity,” Mejía explains, in reference to the Atahualpa Olympic stadium and the Alberto Spencer Model Stadium, the largest public enclosures in the country, and those used for Great shows:

He Atahualpa Olympic Stadiumactive since 1951, has gone through partial adjustments throughout the decades, although it has not received a Integral Structural Intervention. In recent years, its replacement has even been raised by new complexes in other sectors of the capital, among which the so -called Quito Arena.

In the case of Alberto Spencer Model Stadiumits most recent renewal was carried out in 2021, with an investment close to the USD 577 702.88 according to figures from the Ministry of Sports.

However, their current characteristics differ from those that present enclosures such as the National Stadium of Lima or the Atanasio Girardot In Medellín, frequently used for large -scale shows.

Beyond the number of attendees who can house a stadium, there are equally determinants when deciding if Ecuador Enter the map of a International tour.

“The artist not only thinks about capacity”Mejía emphasizes, noting that they also weigh Technical and Logistic Aspects In the evaluation, and it is in these that national enclosures show serious limitations.

Mounting a scenario for a large -scale concert can take more than 72 hourswhile disassembling it must be done In less than 12according to platform data Servants. For Mejía, complying with these times is key, but the current conditions of the country’s stages hinders the process from the beginning:

To meet those times, it is required adequate infrastructure: broad accessesramps, functional technical areas and dressing rooms in good condition. In Ecuador, these conditions are complicated, but it is in the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium where the situation is more critical.

He general wear of its facilities is evident, to the point that in 2019 the FIFA He withdrew the endorsement to house World Cup qualifiers, precisely because of his poor infrastructure.

In addition, the lack of adequate spaces To set up complex scenographies, it makes it difficult to meet the demanding times and logistics requirements of an international tour of Large scale.

While the stadium can still host events from medium or reduced scaleis far from being prepared for productions of High level.

Although Ecuador has more capacity enclosures and better technical adaptations, such as Monumental Stadium of Guayaquil (Barcelona SC) and the Rodrigo Paz Delgado in Quito (LDU), these are not considered for large international tours due to their management model.

In these stadiums, which belong to Soccer clubssuites and boxes have been sold or leased to companies and individuals. This means that, during a concertthose spaces They do not generate income For production, since They cannot be occupied by buyers from conventional tickets.

According to Mejía, this directly impact the box office. Only in the case of the monumental, there are 7 740 seats in suites and 4,500 in boxes: a total of 12 240 locations that do not represent profits for a concert:

In addition, the administration by clubs implies Additional negotiations For non -sportive events in adapted spaces for a sport (football), complicating planning and raising the risk of Date changes.

Although Ecuadorian stadiums still have important limitations, the first steps are already being taken towards their modernization. One of the most relevant projects is the construction of the Arena Quitowhich would replace the current Olympic stadium as the main event center in the capital.

This complex, whose maximum capacity is estimated at 30 thousand people, could cost approximately USD 90 milliongranting the Ecuadorian capital of a new space for entertainment and display of shows.

On the other hand, the Government of Daniel Noboa confirmed in 2024 its intentions to invest in national sports infrastructure, as part of a possible candidacy of Ecuador as the headquarters of the Copa América 2028.

This investment, although designed for football, could have a Positive impact In the entertainment industry by enabling new modern enclosures, also adapted for mass shows.

Ecuavisa.com