• Lady Gaga's free concert on Copacabana Beach attracted over 2 million fans.
• Rio City Hall expects the event to inject approximately $106 million into the local economy.
• The concert featured iconic hits, including "Poker Face" and songs from her new album "Mayhem."
• Fans arrived early, with many traveling from across Brazil and beyond to see the performance.
• A massive security operation involved thousands of police and military personnel to ensure safety.

On Saturday night, Lady Gaga performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, drawing an unprecedented crowd of more than 2 million fans. "Tonight, we're making history," she declared to the enthusiastic audience as she opened with her track "Bloody Mary," creating an electrifying atmosphere among the tightly packed attendees, many of whom came from far and wide to witness the performance, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, NPR, Africanews, HuffPost, and CBS News.

The concert, part of a promotional tour for her latest album "Mayhem," is expected to have a significant economic impact, potentially bringing in up to $106 million to Rio's economy, according to city officials. This initiative aims to revitalize the economy during what is traditionally viewed as a low tourism season, as noted by Osmar Lima, the city’s economic development secretary, stating that such events stimulate local businesses and tourism, according to BBC and CBS News.

Lady Gaga's performance featured not only her new hits such as "Abracadabra" but also classic favorites like “Poker Face” and “Alejandro.” She dazzled the audience with an array of extravagant costumes, including one adorned with the colors of the Brazilian flag. Fans demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm, with many arriving hours early to secure good spots on the beach, according to South China Morning Post, Africanews, and HuffPost.

The atmosphere was enhanced by dedicated fans, some of whom made long trips from other Brazilian states or even international destinations to attend the concert, reflecting the star's widespread appeal. More than 500,000 visitors traveled to Rio in the days preceding the concert, significantly surpassing initial forecasts, as reported by Rio’s City Hall, as well as NPR and CBS News.

To ensure the safety of the vast crowd, a robust security plan was implemented, involving approximately 3,300 military personnel, 1,500 police officers, and 400 firefighters, ensuring that the event proceeded without incident. This approach is consistent with previous large-scale events held in Rio, particularly on Copacabana Beach, which has a history of hosting massive concerts, including one featuring Madonna last year attended by around 1.6 million fans, according to Africanews and HuffPost.