Lady Gaga Draws Record 2 Million Fans to Rio’s Copacabana Beach Concert
Pop superstar breaks Madonna’s attendance record with historic free show to promote new album Mayhem
Pop icon Lady Gaga drew an unprecedented crowd of over two million people to Copacabana beach on Saturday night, surpassing the previous record held by Madonna and delivering what city officials hailed as a historic cultural and economic milestone for Rio de Janeiro.
The free concert, funded by the city to revitalize tourism and the local economy, marked the largest show of Gaga’s career and is expected to generate an estimated $100 million (£75 million) in economic impact. Madonna had drawn 1.6 million fans to the same beach in 2024, but Gaga's electrifying performance has now set a new benchmark.
“This wasn’t just a concert, it was a celebration of music, identity, and global unity,” Rio’s mayor said.
Many of Gaga’s fans — affectionately called her “Little Monsters” — arrived in flamboyant outfits inspired by her iconic hits like Poker Face, Born This Way, and Bad Romance. “I feel the city is more crowded this time, but I’m very excited,” said a local filmmaker, comparing the atmosphere to previous mega-events.
The concert was part of a worldwide promotional tour for Mayhem, Gaga’s eighth studio album, featuring new tracks like Abracadabra and Die With a Smile. The genre-defying 39-year-old artist had just performed two sold-out shows in Mexico City before arriving in Brazil.
Gaga surprised beachgoers the night before the concert with an impromptu rehearsal performance. “I’ve missed you so much,” she told the crowd. “I know that this is not the first show here, I know this is just a rehearsal — it feels like it’s the real show,” she said before launching into Alejandro. The event proceeded smoothly with tight security and medical teams in place, leaving fans euphoric and the city proud.
