BTS Comeback Show Sells Out as 260,000 Fans Head to Seoul

Published: 24 February 2026.

The English Chronicle Desk.

The English Chronicle Online

The highly anticipated comeback concert from South Korean pop phenomenon BTS has sold out almost instantly, with authorities in Seoul preparing for an estimated 260,000 fans to arrive in the city for the event next month. The free performance, titled BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang, will take place on 21 March 2026 at Gwanghwamun Square, marking BTS’s first complete group performance in nearly four years following members’ mandatory military service and hiatus.

When reservations opened at 8 pm on Monday night, overwhelming demand crashed booking systems and saw more than 100,000 fans attempt to secure one of the roughly 15,000 available tickets within minutes. Fans mobilised multiple devices, including in high‑speed PC cafes widely used in South Korea for ticketing, in hopes of claiming seats for the one‑hour event.

The concert will launch BTS’s new full‑length album Arirang, set for release on 20 March, and precede the group’s extensive 82‑date world tour scheduled to begin in April. The entire performance will be streamed live on Netflix to audiences in about 190 countries, extending its global reach beyond those attending in Seoul.

Seoul police and city authorities are treating the show as a major public event, implementing a “virtual stadium” crowd‑control plan with 29 designated entry points around the historic square to manage the massive turnout and reduce safety risks. Officials have also warned of likely congestion and disruptions to nearby metro stations and traffic on the night of the concert.

Law enforcement has been vigilant about ticket fraud and proxy sales, with police urging fans to avoid unofficial offers after deleting dozens of fraudulent online posts offering ticket services or inflated resale listings. Authorities have cautioned buyers to protect personal data and beware of scams as demand surged.

The scale of the event has already had a noticeable economic impact on central Seoul, with accommodation prices rising significantly and surrounding cultural venues like the Sejong Arts Centre and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History adjusting or cancelling scheduled programmes to accommodate the influx of fans. The surge in tourism associated with BTS’s return has been described by analysts as “BTS‑nomics”, reflecting the group’s substantial influence on local hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

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