BTS to Launch Largest World Tour in K-pop History with March Comeback

The full lineup of BTS will kick off an unprecedented world tour on March 20 with their comeback. As of now, the confirmed concert schedule spans 79 shows in 34 cities, setting a record for the highest number of performances by any K-pop artist in a single tour.

BTS will begin their global tour with three days of performances in South Korea at the Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi on April 9, followed by stops across North America, Europe, and South America. They will perform at Wembley Stadium in London on July 6 and 7, with major European cities such as Paris, Madrid, Brussels, and Munich also included in the tour itinerary. On June 13, BTS’s Debut day, they will spend a special time with their fandom, “ARMY,” at a concert in Busan, with further expansion of the tour expected to include Japan and the Middle East in the future.

This is the first time BTS has traveled across multiple continents to meet fans worldwide since their world tour was canceled in 2019 due to the impact of COVID-19. Activities as a full group came to a halt in December 2022 when member Jin enlisted, followed by successive enlistments of other members, but all members returned to civilian status last June after SUGA completed his 18-month military service.

For this tour, BTS is preparing a 360-degree circular stage, which will increase the seating capacity at each venue. Billboard estimates that BTS and their agency, HYBE, will generate $1 billion (approximately 1.47 trillion won) in revenue through concerts, merchandise, licensing, album sales, and streaming.

Given the long wait, the members have prepared many surprises. They have announced a new album featuring 14 tracks that capture the emotions and struggles faced by “the current BTS,” with recording taking place over six months in Los Angeles last year. Leader RM told fans in August last year about the album’s production, saying, “We’re really working hard,” and admitted it was “awkward” to adjust to life after discharge. Member j-hope mentioned that the members’ various solo activities will influence this new album, adding, “We each expressed our individual selves, and I think there will be synergy when we come together.”

When BTS announced their comeback plans via a live broadcast on their fan platform, Weverse, last July, over 7 million people watched. Similar intense ticket-buying battles are expected this time, comparable to those seen during Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” in 2022 and Oasis’s reunion tour in 2024. Fans will be able to purchase tickets starting January 22, while the general public can buy tickets starting January 24.