K-pop powerhouse BTS has commenced its highly anticipated North American tour in Tampa, Florida, marking the group's first full-scale concert series in the region in four years. The group opened the North American leg of its “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’” at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa with performances on Saturday, Sunday and a third show scheduled for April 28 (local time). The performances mark their first return to the U.S. stage since their April 2022 shows in Las Vegas. The extensive tour will span 12 cities across North America for a total of 31 performances. Due to overwhelming demand, tickets for all initial dates sold out immediately, prompting organizers to add extra shows in cities including Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas. Tampa has embraced the group's arrival by transforming the city into a festival zone. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor shared videos on social media showing the city hall illuminated in purple, the color associated with BTS and its fandom, ARMY. The city’s bridges are also set to remain lit in purple through April 29. Local infrastructure has coordinated to

BTS kicked off its North American tour at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, opening the BTS World Tour "Arirang" in North America with shows on Saturday and Sunday, with another to come Tuesday. The group is slated to play 31 shows across 12 cities, including stops in Mexico City and New York, Big Hit Music said on Sunday. The tour marks the septet's first US concerts since BTS "Permission to Dance" on Stage in Las Vegas in April 2022. All shows sold out quickly, with additional dates add