BTS El Paso Sun Bowl guide: Time, merch info, parking

About 40,000 BTS fans, known as Army, are gearing up for each night of the Korean pop group's two concerts in El Paso.

BTS will bring their world tour 'ARIRANG' to the Sun Bowl Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3. A limited number of tickets may still be available via Ticketmaster.com.

The excitement is in.

However, fans - especially those coming from outside El Paso - may still have questions about what they can take into the arena, when to arrive and how best to get there. Know that UTEP officials want to create a safe and fun venue for all Army fans, with a Fan Plaza featuring DJs for fans to hang out while waiting to get into the arena.

There will be designated drop-off points for Uber and Lyft to drop off fans. And the Trolley will offer free rides from the Downtown Streetcar, which will operate until midnight.

Here is the BTS concert fan guide with the key points to remember.

What time will BTS perform at the Sun Bowl?

General doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Showtime will be at 8 p.m.

When to arrive at Sun Bowl Stadium

A graphic showing the security checkpoints at the Sun Bowl Stadium area for the BTS concerts.

Fans with VIP tickets can check in outside the stadium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

VIP Soundcheck ticket holders can start checking in outside the stadium from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the South GR2 at the North Gate. They can begin lining up at 9 a.m.

The VIP sound check early entry doors will be open from 4 to 4:40 p.m.

General ticket holders can start lining up for security checks at the south gates at 3:30 p.m.

A graphic showing where the stadium gates entrances are for the BTS concerts May 2-3 at the Sun Bowl Stadium.

Note that camping is not allowed on university premises. Fans are asked not to arrive more than 1 hour before the merch queue opens.

Where can I buy BTS merchandise?

There will be BTS merchandise areas both inside and outside of the Sun Bowl. Even fans of the group who are not going to the concert can shop for BTS merchandise. And even better, everyone can shop two days ahead of the concert.

The VIP Merch Priority Shopping area will be outside the stadium and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on concert days.

The BTS Official Merchandise Booths are open outside the stadium on concert days from 9 a.m. until the end of the show. The shows are expected to end at 11 p.m.

The BTS Merch Booth 1 will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Glory Field on Glory Road. Limited parking is available at the nearby UTEP SB7 & SB8 Parking Lots for a fee.

The BTS Merch Booth 2 will be open from 9 a.m. to the end of the show on both concert days, located on Miner Alley behind the Sun Bowl Parking Garage. Limited parking is available at nearby UTEP lots for a fee.

The BTS Merch Booth 3 will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1, at Don Haskins Center East and SB7 Parking Lot, 2950 Sun Bowl Drive. Limited parking is available at the nearby UTEP SB7 & SB8 Parking Lots for a fee.

On show days, the booth will be open from 9 a.m. to the end of the show.

The Interior BTS Merch Booth will be on the Main concourse level, sections 10, 12, 15, 21, upper section 23 and upper GECU Terrance Stand (for premium seat ticket holders only).

These merch booths will be open only on event days, and fans must have their tickets to access them. They will be open until 11 p.m. on both concert days.

Fans can hang out at Fan Plaza

A graphic showing where the Fan Plaza will be in Glory Field.

UTEP Special Event officials are creating a Fan Plaza with two DJs at Glory Field and at the South GR2 Parking Lot. This is the official dedicated space for everyone to gather and enjoy the fanactivities before the show.

The Fan Plaza will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. both concert days.

Can I bring posters, freebies to trade with other Army?

Janette Mendoza, left, and her sister Victoria Mendoza will be trading freebies at the BTS concert at the UTEP Stadium.

UTEP Special Events officials said fans are welcome to trade their free items. Fans have been making souvenir freebies to trade for months. They range from keychains and hairpins to stickers and phone charms.

"We love the creativity of the BTS fans, and we will allow these items.  We ask fans to please be respectful and don’t use the stickers to place on the benches or anywhere in the building and stay away from using glass or any sharp materials to ensure everyone’s safety," stated Brandon Martinez, event and marketing manager.

Posters and signs cannot be larger than 11 by 17 inches.

I'm dropping off my teen, where can I hang out?

UTEP has a Parent Lounge for parents and others who are not attending the concert but are waiting for a fan at the concert. It will be on the second floor of the Union Building East. It is quiet with seating areas, restrooms and power outlets.

It will be open from 4 to 11 p.m.

People warned to stay off mountains

Climbing the mountains to watch the concerts is strictly prohibited. Security and law enforcement will be monitoring the perimeter. Noncompliance may result in trespassing violations.

What to know about event parking

There will be nine pay-to-park lots. The lots will open at 8 a.m., and people will have to pay by credit card. Parking will be for sale on event days only. First-come, first-served.

There will be nine different parking lots for pay that fans of BTS can use when they go to the concerts May 2-3 at the Sun Bowl. The lots are colored in sage green.

Any passes bought before the event will not be honored. Be aware of scams. UTEP will not be selling parking until the day of the event.

Prohibited items

• Aerosol cans
• Animals (service dogs or service dogs in training permitted)
• Artificial noisemakers
• Balloons
• Bats, poles and sticks
• Car seats and baby strollers
• Coolers/ice chests
• Camera lenses larger than 4"
• E-cigarettes
• Firearms and fireworks
• Flags on poles
• Glass bottles
• Illegal drugs
• Laser pointers
• Lawn chairs
• Missile-like objects
• Objects that can be used as projectiles (i.e., balls)
• Outside food and beverages, including alcohol (exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs)
• Scooters, strollers, bicycles, roller skates and skateboards
• Tobacco products
• Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks
• Umbrellas
• Unauthorized video cameras and drones
• Water bottles (one sealed, plastic water bottle permitted per patron)
• Weapons
• Any object that might pose a risk to the guest or others

For guests arriving with prohibited items, a designated donation bin will be available at the Northgate GR2 South parking lot and Southgate Miner Alley. All surrendered items will be collected by a local charity partner.

Permitted items

• Blankets
• Stadium seat cushions must be 16” in width or less
• Bags (including clear backpacks) that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
• One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch bag (4.5" x 6.5" or smaller), with or without a handle or strap. This can be carried separately or within a plastic bag
• Medical bags containing necessary health items are acceptable after proper inspection and approval by venue personnel/security.
• Liquid IV packs
• Liquid sunscreen
• Handheld/Neck fans
• Small collapsible umbrellas (must fit in clear bag)
• Guests are welcome to use non-professional still cameras (i.e., disposable, Polaroid, lenses less than 4” in length) for personal use.
• Stadium seat cushions - No larger than 16” x 16” with no cup holder
• Lightstick with batteries
• Fan-to-fan gifts that can fit into your clear bag, for example: keychains, bracelets, photocards and stickers. Decorative keychains, small keychain plushies, plush toys
• Photocard holders
• One sealed, standard plastic water bottle permitted per patron
• Reusable plastic water bottles
• Poster tubes purchased on-site
• Event merch purchased on-site

What to know about ride share, bus and trolley rides

UTEP has partnered with Uber to designate a drop-off zone at the SB11 Parking Lot on 3333 N. Mesa St. and Kern Drive. Fans should use designated crosswalks to cross the street.

Sun Metro: Eco-friendly, low-cost public transit service. Access fare and route planninginfo at SunMetro.net, the Ride Sun Metro App, or by calling (915) 212-3333.

Sun Metro has several routes to the Sun Bowl. However, make alternative transportation arrangements after the concert as routes end before the show is over.

Park and ride: Park Downtown and ride the Streetcar or Sun Metro to the Sun Bowl.Find metered spots, lots, and garages via the Park915 App or at www.park915.com. The El Paso Streetcar will have extended service until midnight on May 2 &-3. Rides are free. More info: EPstreetcar.com or (915) 212-3333.

Driving Directions to Sun Bowl Stadium

From Interstate 10 (East):

Take the Schuster/Sun Bowl exit (18A) to Sun Bowl Drive. Proceed onto Sun Bowl Drive. Continue towards the roundabout and go straight. At the second roundabout, take a right onto Glory Road. The Sun Bowl Stadium will be on the right.

From Interstate 10 (West):

Take the Schuster/Sun Bowl exit (18A) to Sun Bowl Drive. Turn left at the light (Schuster Avenue). At the next light (Sun Bowl Drive), take a left onto Sun Bowl Drive. Continue towards the roundabout and go straight. At the second roundabout, take a right onto Glory Road. The Sun Bowl Stadium will be on the right.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; [email protected]; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.