Hits don't lie: Shakira concert draws 2 million fans in Rio

Published 04 May, 2026 11:08am 2 min read

Some 2 million people packed Copacabana Beach on Saturday for a ​free concert by Shakira, Rio de Janeiro city ‌officials said early on Sunday, marking the biggest show of the Colombian pop star’s career.

Mega-shows on Rio’s famed shoreline have become ​a draw to the city, and Madonna and Lady Gaga have ​given similarly massive performances in front of the ⁠iconic Copacabana Palace hotel in recent years.

They have also ​increasingly been used by Rio to attract visitors and ​international attention to the city-backed “Todo Mundo no Rio” festival, boosting tourism during the month of May.

A drone display opened the night, projecting ​a wolf — a symbol associated with Shakira — over the ​beachfront as she addressed the crowd in Portuguese.

“Brazil, I love you. It’s ‌magical ⁠to see millions of souls together, ready to sing, feel, dance and remind the world of what really matters,” the 49-year-old singer said.

She performed hits including Hips Don’t Lie, Antologia ​and the 2010 ​World Cup ⁠song Waka Waka, and welcomed Brazilian stars Anitta, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania and Ivete Sangalo ​on stage for duets.

City officials estimated Shakira’s ​concert event ⁠generated about 800 million reais ($161.45 million) for Rio’s economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, transport and retail.

Rio officials said “Todo Mundo no ⁠Rio” ​is set to remain on the ​city’s official events calendar through at least 2028.

Read Comments