BTS launches first tour since military service with two Toronto shows

BTS will begin a world tour on April 9 after a hiatus for mandatory military service, and the group will play two shows in Toronto on Aug. 22 and 23.

BTS is set to launch a global concert tour in April, marking the group's first new album release in more than three years. The band had been on hiatus since 2022 while its seven members completed South Korea's mandatory military service. The new album, Arirang, is scheduled for release in March. Fans rushed to secure tickets for the tour's opening shows. Key details: - The new album Arirang is due in March, as announced earlier this month. - The world tour is reported to launch in Goyang, South Korea on April 9 and, according to the group's agency, will span 79 shows across Asia, the U.S. and Europe through July. - BTS is scheduled to perform at Toronto's Rogers Stadium on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23 later this year. - Fans vying for seats at the first concerts in Goyang Stadium prepared for ticket sales to begin at 8 p.m. Seoul time, and some traveled to Seoul to use high-speed internet for sales. - The band's most recent album, Proof (2022), debuted at number one in 18 countries and is reported to have about 16.7 billion streams. Summary: The tour represents BTS's return to large-scale performing following the members' military service and accompanies a new album release in March. The tour opens in Goyang on April 9 and early ticketing drew intense demand for the initial shows. The schedule, as reported, includes dates across Asia, North America and Europe, with the Toronto concerts set for Aug. 22–23.