Thousands of fans gathered outside Goyang Stadium despite steady rain as excitement built ahead of the opening concerts of BTS’ long-awaited ARIRANG World Tour. The atmosphere around the venue reflected the global anticipation surrounding the group’s first full-scale world tour together after completing their mandatory military service hiatus.
Supporters began arriving hours before the show, many dressed in purple—the symbolic color associated with BTS’s fandom, known as ARMY. Even with wet weather conditions, fans continued to line up around the stadium, sharing their excitement and celebrating the group’s return to the stage after nearly four years without a full-group international tour.
The concerts in Goyang mark the starting point of a massive global schedule that will take BTS across dozens of cities worldwide. According to their agency and concert organizers, the ARIRANG tour is expected to include more than 80 performances across roughly 34 cities, making it one of the largest tours ever attempted by a Korean act.
Demand for tickets has been extraordinary. Reports indicate that dozens of shows—including the opening performances in Goyang—sold out quickly, while millions of tickets were purchased for the North American and European legs alone. This strong response highlights the continued global influence of BTS and the loyalty of their fanbase even after the group’s extended break from touring.
The Goyang concerts also carry symbolic importance. They represent BTS’s first headline world-tour performances since their previous large-scale tour concluded in 2021–2022 and their first major tour appearances as a complete group following military service obligations completed by all seven members by mid-2025.
Despite the rain, the mood outside the stadium remained festive rather than subdued. Fans traveled from different countries to witness the historic opening nights, turning the venue into a global gathering point for ARMY ahead of the performances. The excitement surrounding the kickoff demonstrates how strongly BTS’s return continues to resonate worldwide as the group begins a new chapter with the ARIRANG World Tour.