K-Pop Kings BTS Ignite Europe with Explosive ARIRANG Tour Debut in Spain!

The global K-pop sensation BTS initiated the European leg of their highly anticipated ARIRANG World Tour in Madrid, Spain, marking a momentous occasion for thousands of devoted Spanish fans who had long awaited their arrival. The first of two scheduled performances took place on Friday, June 26, at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, drawing an astounding crowd of over 66,000 attendees, according to sources from Atlético de Madrid. This marked BTS's inaugural visit to Spain, a detail that amplified the palpable excitement both within and outside the stadium, where hundreds of fans gathered to follow the concert from a distance, singing along in unison with the energized crowd inside.

The atmosphere was electric from the outset, with thousands of light sticks illuminating the stands, creating a vibrant spectacle that persisted throughout the nearly two-and-a-half-hour show. The band’s excitement mirrored that of their fans, as J-Hope kicked off the night by exclaiming, “¡Vamos a volvernos locos!” (“Let’s go crazy!”), igniting an immediate roar from the audience. The setlist commenced with powerful tracks like “Hooligan,” followed by “Aliens” and “Run BTS,” all from their ARIRANG album. Over the course of 23 songs, BTS masterfully blended new material from their fifth studio album with some of their most iconic career hits, ensuring the crowd sang along to almost every line.

A much-anticipated segment for the dedicated ARMY members who meticulously follow every tour stop was the reveal of the surprise songs, which vary by city and date. For the Madrid concert, the chosen tracks that delighted the audience were “Airplane Pt. 2” and “Interlude: Wings,” adding a unique touch to the Spanish debut.

Throughout the performance, the members of BTS made several heartwarming efforts to connect with their Spanish-speaking audience directly. V enthusiastically responded to the crowd’s energy with “ARMY is on fire!” while RM garnered further cheers with a playful Spanglish remark, “Estáis on fire!” Later in the evening, Jung Kook addressed the fans in Spanish, expressing his love: “I want to hear your scream. We’ve felt your energy so much today. I love you.” V also shared a personal sentiment in Spanish, stating, “one of my wishes was to come to Madrid, and I made it. Thank you so much for coming.” Perhaps one of the most emotional moments came when Jimin, with the aid of an interpreter, questioned, “I kept thinking, why are we only visiting Spain now? For the next tour, we won’t leave Madrid out.” This heartfelt promise sent the stadium into an explosion of excitement, promising a future return.

The concert’s production was nothing short of spectacular, featuring a dynamic 360-degree stage that kept BTS in constant motion. The central platform seamlessly rose, descended, and split into multiple levels, interconnected by various walkways, enabling the seven singers to traverse a significant portion of the stadium and engage with different sections of the audience. Approximately 30 dancers augmented the performance, contributing to a continuously evolving stage production with multiple costume changes and intricate choreography. A particularly memorable sequence occurred during “IDOL,” when BTS departed the main stage to parade across the stadium floor, joined by their dancers, waving large flags and luminous ribbons, a moment met with widespread celebration. Another touching highlight involved a fan project during the final chorus of “Body to Body,” where thousands of purple fans were raised simultaneously by ARMY, a gesture of deep appreciation and reciprocation of the love they’ve felt for the group over the years.

The Madrid stop was strategically positioned at the beginning of the European leg of the ARIRANG World Tour, following a successful North American run that included concerts in the United States and Mexico. Notably, in Mexico City, where the group performed three shows at Estadio GNP Seguros, they were honored with a reception by president Claudia Sheinbaum at the government palace. After their impactful performances in Spain, the tour is slated to continue across Europe with dates in Brussels, London, Munich, and Paris, culminating in Manila, Philippines, on March 14, 2027.