Over a million people packed onto Copacabana Beach on Saturday night, turning the expansive shore into a massive dance floor for a free concert by the pop star, marking the final stop of her world tour. “We are in the most beautiful place on Earth,” Madonna, 65, told the massive crowd, pointing out the ocean and mountains. “This place is magic,” she said.
With the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking it from Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro is no stranger to iconic sights. But this past weekend, the city had a different kind of legend visiting: Madonna.
In the lead-up to the concert, Rio buzzed with excitement. Fans gathered outside the luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel, hoping to spot the superstar. The city’s airport accommodated an additional 170 flights as fans flew in from all over the world.
City officials estimated that 1.6 million people attended the event. Some watched from high-rise apartments or hotel rooms overlooking the beach, while others observed from boats anchored nearby. With drones and helicopters circling above, Madonna delivered a spectacular performance, playing hits like “Like a Virgin” and “Like a Prayer,” with multiple set and costume changes.
Backed by giant screens, Madonna started the concert with her 1998 hit “Nothing Really Matters,” drawing a massive cheer from the audience. “Oi, Rio!” she shouted in Portuguese, to which the crowd responded with a booming “Oi, Queen Madonna!” echoing across the beach.
Madonna paid a heartfelt tribute to those lost to AIDS during a performance of “Live to Tell,” with a backdrop of black-and-white photos of victims. Brazilian artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, along with younger samba musicians, also joined the show.
The concert, described by Madonna’s official website as the largest in her 40-year career, utilized giant screens and 18 sound towers to ensure everyone could enjoy the music. Many fans had lined up for hours or even days to secure a good view. “I’ve never seen such a powerful show,” one fan told the media. Another commented, “Madonna is spectacular; there’s no concert like hers.”
City officials took precautions following the death of a young fan at a Taylor Swift concert last year due to heat exhaustion. Firefighters sprayed water to cool the crowd, and free drinking water was distributed as temperatures hovered around 27°C (81°F) during the late-night event.
To maintain safety, over 3,000 police officers were deployed around the concert site, which has previously hosted large crowds for performances by the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart. Security was further tightened, with 3,200 military personnel and 1,500 civilian police officers on standby, and the navy inspecting vessels near the concert area.
Across Rio, excitement was palpable. Heineken ads welcomed Madonna with “Welcome, Queen!” messages, bars and restaurants served “Like a Virgin” cocktails, and the singer’s image was everywhere—from billboards to T-shirts. With hotel bookings in Copacabana reaching an estimated 98% capacity, city officials anticipated the concert would generate around 293 million reais (£46 million) for the local economy.
