Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rican Summer

Bad Bunny’s summer in Puerto Rico is only halfway through, but No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí has already become one of the island’s defining cultural moments of the year. Since July 11, the San Juan Coliseo has been packed every weekend for the 30-show residency, the first of its kind in Puerto Rico. The first nine concerts were reserved exclusively for local residents, with tickets sold in person months in advance.

On August 1, the gates opened to international fans, many flying in with VIP packages that sold out in hours. Nearly 400,000 tickets have been sold, generating an estimated $200 million in economic activity for the island.

More than a massive concert run, the residency is widely seen as a love letter to Bad Bunny’s home and a subtle challenge to the island’s status as a U.S. territory. By centering the world’s attention in San Juan instead of taking the show to New York or Los Angeles, the artist has created a summer-long celebration of Puerto Rican identity and self-definition.
Every weekend, the Coliseo becomes a gathering place not only for fans, but for a shared sense of pride.

The residency has been accompanied by a major Adidas x Bad Bunny collaboration. The “Gazelle City Series” sneakers, launched in July, feature three colorways inspired by Puerto Rican locations: El Yunque, Santurce, and Cabo Rojo. A promotional event in New York’s Grand Central Terminal included a giveaway of a “golden ticket” for flights, accommodation, and concert access. In Puerto Rico, Adidas has staged a multi-day activation with the island’s first Formula 1 demo run, an archive display of 150 sneaker designs, 115 shown for the first time and panel discussions on the five-year partnership with the artist.

For many, the residency is more than entertainment.
By prioritizing Puerto Rican audiences and centering the events on the island, Bad Bunny is seen as making a cultural and political statement, challenging the dynamic of U.S. influence over Puerto Rico. 

With over a month of concerts still ahead, No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí is on track to be one of the most significant music events in the island’s recent history, both economically and symbolically.