Title: Taylor Swift Fans Camp Out for Months in Argentina Ahead of Eras Tour
By Brooke Kato
Published Nov. 4, 2023, 3:09 p.m. ET
Diehard Taylor Swift fans in Argentina have taken their dedication to a whole new level by camping out in tents for months ahead of the pop superstar’s highly anticipated Eras Tour stop in Buenos Aires. These superfan Swifties are vying for the best general admission spots in the house during the trio of sold-out shows on November 9, 10, and 11.
Reports suggest that the lines to purchase Swift’s merchandise at previous tour stops pale in comparison to the wait these fans have endured. One 21-year-old fan, who preferred to remain anonymous, admitted to spending five months in a tent near the River Plate Stadium. She even manages to hold her place in line while juggling college classes and a part-time job, telling her parents that she is “visiting a friend” near the stadium.
It’s not just one fan who has taken up temporary residence in a tent. Scores of tents now line the sidewalks, resembling a summer camp with Swift-themed friendship bracelets being exchanged among fans. One dedicated fan named Carmen revealed that she has spent over 300 hours, or just over 12 days, sleeping outside in line. The organizers of this makeshift campground keep track of participants, who must be over the age of 18.
Securing tickets for the coveted Eras Tour has been a challenge for fans worldwide, and those who were not lucky enough to score presale entry have had to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for their seats. For those holding general admission floor tickets for the upcoming shows, the stakes have never been higher to get close to their favorite pop star.
The longer these devoted Swifties camp out in line, the better their chances of securing a spot close to the stage. While fans are not required to stay in their tents all day, those who do are seen favorably by organizers. Irina, a 20-year-old fan, explained that the massive number of people waiting makes it easier to coordinate schedules and take turns in line.
To motivate fans to tough it out through inclement weather and sleepless nights, organizers leaked an internal list of rules, which rewards extra hours to those who persevere. However, all fans must have at least one full night’s sleep and spend a minimum of 60 hours per month in the tents to remain in line.
For those fans unable to make it to their tents but unwilling to lose their spot, popular music superfans Debora and Sofia offer their services of waiting in line for others. These dedicated fans charge a fee for their travel expenses, totaling around $700 Argentine pesos or $2 USD, due to the country’s hyperinflation.
Although waiting in line has not been easy, with fans reportedly facing heckling from passersby, anticipation for the Eras Tour shows in Argentina is at an all-time high. With less than a week until the first show, fans express a mixture of excitement and sadness as they realize their time in the campground is coming to an end. Some wonder what they will do once the tour is over and they are no longer making friendship bracelets inside their tents.
As Taylor Swift prepares to take the stage in Buenos Aires, her dedicated fans remain ready to show their support and enjoy a memorable concert experience.