Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans is getting huge attention from BTS Army after his footage started to circulate online. During a recent address, he claimed that BTS ARMY raised $10,000 overnight without being prompted. He praised ARMY for raising such a huge amount.
People likely believe this rumor because of the buzz around BTS performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup halftime show. It sounds believable since BTS ARMY is known for raising money and starting charity projects, donations, and fan-led projects incredibly fast.
However, no official news from the Global Citizen NOW summit on May 14 mentions Evans saying fans raised over $10,000 overnight. The BTS Connection: It was officially announced at the summit that BTS will co-headline this historic World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna and Shakira. Chris Martin of Coldplay is organizing the entire performance.
What Hugh Evans did say
News from the event shows that Evans was focused on the bigger partnership between Global Citizen and FIFA. It was not just a specific BTS fan fundraiser. Instead, he focused on the charity goals for the World Cup final halftime show, which reports say will include BTS, Madonna, and Shakira.
“Last night, ever since we announced it, the ARMY, have already raised over $10,000 just like that, just by getting online and fundraising. We didn’t even ask them to do so. The ARMY are so amazing.” Evans described the “complementary” power of soccer and music as Global Citizen and FIFA push toward a $100 million education fund for underserved children.
That framing appeared across coverage from AP News, ABC News, and ESPN.
It is easy to see why fans believed it. BTS fans are in a league of their own when it comes to giving to charity. They have a long history of quickly raising large amounts of money for projects all over the world.
