BTS made their return to the U.S. for their first tour in four years, kicking off in Tampa for the first time for three sold-out nights. BTS’s second night in Tampa (April 25, 2026) for the ARIRANG World Tour at Raymond James Stadium was a high-energy spectacle, featuring 60,000 fans, intense pyrotechnics, and a 360-degree stage. Because it has been years since their last stateside concert (Las Vegas back in 2022), BTS might have had reservations but excitement about this tour. BTS is determined to show ARMY and other watchers how much they have evolved as a team after mandatory military service and solo projects.
The small notes of “Hooligan” started blaring around the stadium, with ARMY lightsticks turning bright red and fireworks blasting to match the vibe at the start of the concert. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook donned in all black walking towards the center of the 360-degree stage, embracing the screams of ARMY who were impatient to finally see BTS live whether it was their first time or multiple times. After the samurai strike sound effect accompanied by the bright red striking marks across the big screens, j-hope sang the hook for “Hooligan” with ARMY enthusiastically singing word for word. The stage and lightsticks became green right before Mike Will-Made-It produced track “Aliens” began. BTS kept the momentum going with their 2022 hit “Run BTS.” After a quick water break and complementing Tampa ARMY’s energy, BTS continued to perform songs from their current album ARIRANG: “they don’t know ’bout us,” “Like Animals,” and a beautiful performance of lead track “SWIM” which had ARMY screaming word for word as well. Backup dancers carried white fabric simulating waves, and blue lines crisscrossing the stage creating the illusion of water.
After calming ARMY down with a VCR performance, BTS comes back out in streetwear and the bass of “2.0” hitting the crowds’ chest and lasers illuminating the 360 stage. ARMY was hyped to sing along to “yuh yuh yuh” lyrics. The members stood around the edge of the stage towards ARMY to sing “Normal.” BTS went back to 2017 “Not Today” with backup dancers and the Korean flag colors special effects. Before j-hope started his iconic rap of “MIC Drop” ARMY belted out the fanchant while BTS was dancing in the beginning of one of their popular songs. SUGA did not drop his mic at the end of the song, but for good reason: “FYA” started playing, hyping ARMY…so fire that they just had to play another iconic BTS song: “Fire.” The dancers came back to the stage to perform “Body to Body” with several ARMYs on screens in traditional hanbok attire. BTS and the dancers eventually went to the floor singing “IDOL” in a path before heading backstage.
Another VCR came up showing ARMYs’ costumes and signs they’ve worked hard on, proving their dedication to BTS after all these years. Some favorites: “DJ spin that shit & play Pied Piper” “TAMPA WANTS PIED PIPER” “Old enough to be your mom-still screaming louder than the teenagers” “Celebrating 8 years cancer free” “ARMY WAITED” “2600km-I would go around the world to see you 1000 times more” “I left my husband in VA for SOPE!” “Y’all got jams” and “Jimin no haircut allowed.”
BTS in tour merch (except Jin, donning a Buccaneers jersey) walks back to the stage performing “Come Over” with purple lights illuminating the arena. RM introduced the next two singles as one being like a bomb and one is smooth and creamy: Billboard 100 top charter hits “Dynamite” and “Butter.” The next segment consisted of two surprise tracks that varies in every city and show. Night 2 in Tampa ARMY was graced with 2019 hit “Boy With Luv” and much requested song of the night “Pied Piper,” having Jimin and V dance a little of the choreography much to ARMYs’ amusement. Since it was a surprise and there was no rehearsal for the songs, it was a feeling of karaoke time for both BTS and ARMY to jam.
The members then sat on the 360 stage to give their thanks and heartfelt thoughts about the night. Starting with Jungkook he would be thinking about ARMY’s energy and love while working out. Jimin seeing all of ARMYs’ pretty facial expressions while performing made him very happy. RM thanks ARMY for waiting a long time whether it was their first time seeing them or not and thanks Florida for the warm welcome. V called night two in Tampa very hot and passionate. Crowd favorite Jin just like last year, he felt Tampa’s passionate energy and was so touched. SUGA gave a shout out to the male fans in the arena and thanked ARMY for having so much fun. J-hope expressed gratitude as well “The fact that seven of us are together, the fact that you guys are here in front of us, the fact that we are on tour, and the fact that we are in Tampa right now, I’m just thankful and honestly I’m excited for the days ahead, so let’s have fun until the very end. Thank you and we love you.” RM then announced they have two more songs to do. BTS continued sitting on the stage performing “Please.” The members then took turns at several spots on the stage facing ARMY performing “Into The Sun” with confetti and a firework display to cap off the memorable show.
Although it was BTS’s second night being in Tampa, something about that night clicked- the energy, the crowd, and the storytelling all hit another level. Tampa ARMY showed up and showed out loud as ever. The power of BTS and ARMY together is unmatched. No matter the age, gender, race, you name it, every one came together and gave BTS a feeling they would never forget when they think about Florida or the beginning of their NA tour. BTS came like they never left and we are here for it and what is yet to come.
