BTS Halftime Gear Raises $300K for Kids' Education

A shirt worn by BTS member Jimin during the World Cup final halftime show just sold for $110,000, matching the price of the actual match ball from the game.

The FIFA charity auction closed Wednesday after raising $652,630 for children's education in underserved communities. Bidders from 24 countries competed online through Christie's Auction House, far exceeding expectations.

BTS items stole the show, accounting for nearly half the auction's total revenue. Beyond Jimin's shirt, fans bid up V's scarf to $46,200, Jung Kook's jacket to $46,200, and Suga's pants to $33,000. Even J-Hope's gloves, RM's boots, and Jin's belt found passionate buyers willing to pay tens of thousands.

The K-pop group performed "Dynamite" at intermission when Spain faced Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Other halftime performers also contributed memorabilia, including Madonna's fingerless goalkeeper gloves ($41,800) and Justin Bieber's sneakers ($26,400).

"The memorabilia market is so strong right now, and rare is the occasion that people can bid on things so freshly off the pitch," said Elizabeth Seigel, head of private and iconic collections at Christie's.

The Ripple Effect

Every dollar raised supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to collect $100 million for expanding access to quality education and soccer programs for children across 200 countries. The initiative focuses on grassroots programs in communities that need them most.

Justin Bieber's fashion brand "Skylrk" announced it would match the $26,400 from his sneakers as an additional donation. A Lionel Messi signed jersey gifted to Shakira brought in $66,000, while handwritten lyrics by Coldplay's Chris Martin added $15,400 to the fund.

Christie's president Julien Pradels called it "a wonderful win for an important cause," noting that competition among bidders matched the intensity of the World Cup itself.

One halftime show, seven outfits, and hundreds of thousands of children who will benefit from fans who turned their love of music into lasting change.