BTS World Tour 2026: What to Expect from Their 360-Degree Performances?

[iNews24 Reporter Seo Byung-gi]

BTS kicked off the at the main stadium of Goyang Sports Complex on the 9th and again on the 11th–12th. The tour begins in Goyang and will visit 34 cities — including Tokyo, North America, Europe, South America and other parts of Asia — for a total of 85 shows. That makes it the largest single-tour run by a Korean artist. With additional dates already planned in Japan and the Middle East, the tour’s scope is expected to grow.

The shows will spotlight material from their new record ARIRANG alongside the hits fans have loved for years. Anticipation is high for the 360-degree stage and the immersive performances it will enable. Through their agency, BigHit Music, the group shared reflections on kicking off the tour and what audiences should look out for.

Q. How does it feel to start a tour after a long break?

RM: It still feels a bit surreal. Before I know it, I feel like I'll already be on stage. Preparing for a 360-degree show was challenging, but once we get going it’s going to be a lot of fun. Most of all, we're thrilled to hold microphones again and meet ARMY around the world.

Jin: We all agree that concerts are the most essential part of being artists. We can’t wait to meet audiences worldwide, and since this is our first world tour in a while, we want to experience each region's culture and live atmosphere in person.

Suga: Since I was young I've believed concerts are the most important thing for artists, and that hasn't changed. All of us are really looking forward to this world tour. We appreciate everyone’s interest and support.

J-Hope: World tours always bring joy and happiness. Preparing for this tour fills us with the same celebratory spirit we feel when we're with ARMY around the globe, so we're getting ready with joyful hearts.

Jimin: We've done countless shows, but this time we want to present a stage that's completely different from what we've done before. It's a big challenge, but I hope people are excited for it.

V: Because it's been a while since our last tour, I worried we might have lost our edge, so we worked that much harder in rehearsals. Please look forward to it — we want to show you everything we've prepared.

Jungkook: I want to be on stage as soon as possible. I'm really excited. Just thinking about meeting fans in person again gives me butterflies. We've worked hard, and I want to enjoy the shows together with everyone at the venues.

Q. What should fans watch for on this tour?

RM: I'm most excited for the moments when everyone can jump and move together on stage. I hope the venue will feel like one giant club. We wrote a song with that feeling in mind, and seeing that scene come to life would make me very happy.

Jin: The 360-degree stage lets us use every direction as if it were the front. I think it's the first time we've tried this since the 2019 fan meeting. The stage will rotate and we'll move around, so you'll get a fresh kind of fun (laughs).

Suga: The moment we first lock eyes with the audience will be a highlight. The show includes a lot of theatrical production, so I think fans will enjoy the visuals as much as the music.

J-Hope: Because it's a 360-degree stage, each song will carry a different vibe. That variety is the tour's biggest draw. The production will feel cinematic, and we also explore Korean aesthetics in ways that should be intriguing.

Jimin: What I'm most looking forward to is meeting the ARMY who have waited so patiently. In recent years many of our stages emphasized performance, which made experimental staging harder. This time, we put more effort into production so the audience can also enjoy the show visually.

V: I think the songs, set list, production and overall structure are all very solid. We're confident and proud to present this show.

Jungkook: A 360-degree show brings pressure — I do worry about making mistakes — but being surrounded by fans on all sides will make it more fun and special. There will be a lot to see, so please look forward to it.

Including three shows in Goyang, BTS sold out all 46 dates — from Tokyo Dome through their North American and European legs. In North America, they will be the first Korean artist to perform solo at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium, Stanford Stadium, Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium, Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, and Arlington &re;AT&T&re; Stadium.

They will continue to set new records in South America. BTS will be the first Korean act to play Colombia’s Estadio El Campín in Bogotá and Argentina’s Estadio Único de La Plata in Buenos Aires. In Santiago, Chile, they will hold a solo concert at Estadio Nacional — another first for a Korean artist.

Meanwhile, starting on the 9th, the Trademark Special Judicial Police of the Korea Intellectual Property Office will run a public campaign near concert sites to crack down on counterfeit K‑pop merchandise and promote a culture that respects intellectual property. The initiative aims to stop distribution of items that illegally use artists' trademarks and to emphasize the importance of purchasing genuine products.