A huge demand for pre-sale tickets to Madonna’s November concert in Medellin proved the city was ready to host international stars, said the city’s mayor.
Anibal Gaviria said the 38,000 tickets already sold showed the success of public-private partnerships in bringing major events to the city, according to RCN Radio.
The next challenge will be to welcome the artists and visitors to the city, Gaviria said.
Gaviria’s remarks were likely made with the aim of boosting Medellin’s ongoing bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, for which it is among six candidate cities.
In a similar profile-raising move, Gaviria last month issued an invitation to world and European champions Barcelona FC to play a soccer match in the city.
Last week Madonna’s website announced the extra concert date on November 28 – the artist’s only stop in Colombia on her 2012 world tour.
Of the 38,000 seats sold, 58% went to fans in Medellin, 23% to fans in Bogota and 19% to fans from the rest of the country.
Regular ticket sales begin at 11AM local time on Thursday, April 26.
