EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso is gearing up for one of its biggest weekends of the year as four major events are set to take place simultaneously across the city on May 2–3, drawing thousands of visitors and creating what experts say will be a significant economic boost.
The K-pop group BTS is expected to pack the Sun Bowl Stadium for two back‑to‑back shows, but they’re far from the only performers. Music fans will also have Sol Summit in Downtown El Paso and Michelada Fest at Ascarate Park, while pop culture lovers head to Comic Con at the Convention Center.
With such high demand, visitors are already discovering that hotels and travel costs are surging.
“Whenever people come here, they’re coming to a two‑nation vacation,” said UTEP economics professor Tom Fullerton.
El Paso’s growing tourism appeal within a tri‑state region became evident after Coldplay sold out the Sun Bowl Stadium in 2025. The city is rising quickly as a travel destination for 2026, attracting major artists and fans from across the country.
Jacob Roth, who is traveling more than 2,000 miles from New Jersey to attend the BTS concert, said El Paso was simply an easier city to book.
“Being from Jersey, why bother trying to secure tickets for New York when you get so many other states around here trying to go to New York as well?” said Roth.
While tickets were easier to obtain, some fans say hotel prices were the real challenge.
One fan traveling from Virginia told KTSM that securing a room was difficult, and prices were far higher than expected.
“I was hoping to spend $45–$60 for a room for one night… but the room we got was $130, and that’s too much,” she said.
Another fan from Oklahoma said options were so limited that the group had to book in Anthony, Texas.
“I couldn’t find any hotels left for my group of four unless we paid over $2,000 for our stay,” she wrote.
Fullerton says the spike in hotel prices is typical and necessary when occupancy rates surge. Data from the Border Region Modeling Project forecasting the trend will likely continue through 2026 and 2027.
“It’s an important part of a growing and prosperous segment of the economy,” he said. “Many metropolitan economies in Texas are happy if they can reach at least 60% occupancy for the year as a whole.”
Fullerton added that other sectors, including retail and restaurants, stand to benefit as well.
Roth said the costs won’t stop him from enjoying both the concert and the city.
“I tried to secure a good spot in the Sun Bowl, so I’m excited to see how that is,” he said. “I’m excited to see a little bit more of the area. I heard it’s all sold out now, so I’m very excited to experience that.”
A review of hotel listings from May 1–4 shows that while a few rooms remain, prices range from $200 to more than $800 per night in the downtown area.
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