BTS is coming to Toronto — and the city is getting ready
· Toronto Sun
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It’s been nearly eight years since BTS played three sold-out shows in Hamilton.
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The K-pop supergroup is set to bring their Arirang World Tour to Toronto’s Rogers Stadium, and the city is ready to welcome them with open arms — though it’s going to be a nightmarish weekend, traffic wise , so consider yourselves warned.
In North York, a strip of Yonge St. — from North York Blvd. to Finch Ave. — has been temporarily renamed BTS Boulevard from Aug. 21 to Sept. 23, in honour of the boy band’s first Toronto shows.
Toronto City Council approved the plan earlier this month to change the street signs, which will eventually be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to local food bank 415 Food Hub.
But just who is this group that’s getting the same treatment superstar Taylor Swift did in 2024 ?
When did BTS explode?
BTS is an acronym for “Bangtan Sonyeondan,” which translates to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts.”
The South Korean supergroup is made up of seven members: Jin, RM, Jimin, j-hope, Jungkook, V and Suga.
Formed in 2010, they launched in 2013 but really didn’t become a huge hit outside of Asia until about 2017, when they first performed at the American Music Awards with their hit song DNA . The following year, they took to the stage at the Billboard Music Awards with Fake Love .
But it was their first all-English hit, Dynamite, in 2020 that their stranglehold on North American charts began, followed by Butter the next year, which they later remixed with Megan Thee Stallion.
They also shared the limelight with other artists, including Halsey ( Boy With Luv ), Coldplay ( My Universe ), and Sia ( On ) while on hiatus.
From pop stars to military members
In 2022, the band went on hiatus while all members completed their mandatory military service, which ended in 2025 with Suga being the last to be discharged.
The group quickly got to work on their next album, Arirang , which was released this past March and has already resulted in hits Swim and Body to Body .
The supporting world tour kicked off in March, though the seven members did perform at the halftime show at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium last month, a day after they wrapped the European leg of Arirang in France.
Who are their fans?
Ahh, Swifties have nothing on the BTS ARMY, which officially stands for “Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth.”
The highly organized global group of fans represents the armour that protects the group — despite their bulletproof-ness.
And the BTS ARMY will do whatever they have to do to stay connected to the K-pop megastars.
BTS ARMY TORONTO (yes, the city has its own legion of fans) has become famous in its own right.
They shared that they are collaborating with K-Food Kitchen, across from Rogers Stadium (and a mere 10-minute walk to Gate 2), for a Concert Café ahead of both shows. There will also be a DJ there spinning your favourite BTS songs.
Toronto pop-up for the K-pop stars
There’s also an official BTS pop-up store in Yorkdale, where fans can shop ‘til they drop for hoodies, posters, keychains, mugs and other merch.
The “BTS Pop-Up: Arirang in Toronto” store, operated by Hybe Music Group, is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., though hours will switch over to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Aug. 31 until its final day on Sept. 13.
To reserve an entry time to the store, head to the booking website . Also note, it’s card-only. Cash will not be accepted.
Fans will also have the chance to shop for hoodies, shirts and other tour merchandise during a special pre-show shopping day on Aug. 21, according to Live Nation.
No further details have been provided by the concert promoter, but the opening merchandise sales the day before the first show are intended to give fans a chance to stock up before the concerts and help ease long lineups at the booths at Rogers Stadium.
When can BTS fans show up at the venue?
Rogers Stadium’s rules on lineups will remain in place, so camping out overnight to access the venue early is strictly prohibited.
But don’t fret, fans (ARMY or otherwise), the grounds will open at 9:30 a.m. on both concert days, but outdoor merch booths near Gate 1 aren’t expected to open until between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Soundcheck is at 5 p.m., three hours before the concert’s official start.
It’s going to be dynamite.