It was always known that BTS would have a big year this year, given that 2026 marked their long-awaited comeback with their new album, ARIRANG. And true enough, the group has taken over the pop culture conversation with a successful return and even more successful world tour that’s one of the hottest concert tickets in town. It’s a testament to BTS’ enduring popularity that both dates of their ARIRANG World Tour at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan in March 2027 quickly sold out, with an added third date also selling out.
Talk to an ARMY, and chances are, watching the group on tour, regardless of which country or city, is on their mind. For quite a few Filipino ARMYs, going abroad to watch BTS in concert is nothing new. It’s a fact Elyse Ilagan and Nikki Balboa have experienced multiple times.
Ilagan, a marketing consultant, copywriter, and content creator who discovered the group and got into the fandom during the pandemic, has seen 12 BTS concerts, including the Arirang World Tour kickoff in Goyang and their FESTA homecoming in Busan, while Balboa, who has more than a decade of managerial experience at apparel and publishing companies and credits their hit single Dynamite for making her a fan, counts solo concerts in Korea and the US and their Goyang show on her list of attended concerts.
With many fans wanting to see BTS overseas this year and next, MEGA spoke with these two experienced ARMYs on how to make the most of the international trip. If you are hoping to or already have plans to watch the group abroad, here’s what you should know.
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Plan Your Budget Accordingly
As simple as it sounds, it pays to research on the concert you want to watch, which country it will be in, and how much it will cost. “Set your watch goal. Where you’re watching, how many days you’re watching, and set your budget,” says Balboa. Budget, in particular, is the key point here. Concert tickets aren’t cheap for the most part, so set your limit on what you’re willing to splurge on for accommodation, plane fare, transportation, food, merch, and extra activities.
While booking accommodations before securing a ticket might be risky, Ilagan advises doing so because you save on costs by booking your flight and lodging early, especially since prices are almost guaranteed to go up once demand is there. “Plan before anyone else does to get the best deals, and look for accommodations that have free cancellations. And if you have the extra budget, a rebookable flight as well.”
Know Where Exactly You’re Going
More than just choosing the concert and city, know where the concert venue is, especially if it’s in a country you’ve never been to. The stadium location is equally as important because it affects a lot of things in the trip, from the flight to where you’re staying, how you’re getting there, and your schedule for the day. All these can add up to make the trip even more expensive than it should be. Even simple things such as your e-sim or wi-fi can be shaped by where the concert will be held.
“In Busan Asiad Stadium, the e-sim that didn’t fail us was SKT,” shares Ilagan on her experiences watching BTS in Korea. As a pro tip, Balboa advises booking accommodations accessible to public transportation because things can get hectic at the venue with tens of thousands of people heading to the same place. If the budget allows it, consider booking a car service that can take you to and from the venue, especially if you’ll be in a group.
Research and stay informed as well on the latest updates on social media by following BTS’ official accounts, ticketing partners, and local organizers handling the concert in the country you’re in. While it’s not needed, having a Weverse membership is a bonus to be on top of BTS news, announcements, activities, and merch drops.
Have All Your Traveling Essentials Ready
Just like with any overseas trip, make sure you have all the needed documents, papers, and items when you fly abroad, and keep them safe. That includes your ticket, passport, and visa. Download all the necessary apps to make your trip smoother, such as taxi-hailing apps, communication apps like WhatsApp or Viber, translation apps in case you’re traveling to a country that doesn’t primarily speak English, and other needed apps specific to the country or region. Also, to save on your budget, always use the currency of the country you’re in.
Do Not Skip Meals
Whether it be the excitement, nerves, or a mix of both and then some, people sometimes forget to eat before a concert. But Ilagan and Balboa advise against doing this. Eating and drinking water before the show starts isn’t just recommended but a must-do.
Once the concert begins or even before you head to the venue, there’s no guarantee when you’ll have your next meal. And if there is food at the stadium or at nearby restaurants, it’s a good bet that there will be long lines for it. And this is on top of everything else that goes on at a BTS concert. “There are a lot of activities within the stadium. Lines are going in the venue, and the show is 2.5 hours long. You don’t want to be hungry or dizzy,” says Balboa.
Have Fun at the Concert
When all is said and done, you and tens of thousands of other ARMYs are there for the same thing. You survived the ticketing wars and flew all the way to another country to watch your favorite artist live. So, remember why you did all this in the first place and have fun, enjoy the concert, and live your best ARMY life. Also, while it might be tempting to take videos of the concert on your phone for fancams and memories, you should consider putting your phone down and just being present to watch BTS do what they do best.
As Ilagan puts it, “My best memories of the boys are the ones I saw with my own eyes. I’m so privileged that I get to go around the world to see them now. But I always look back on the days when I was still waiting for my turn, crying in front of the screen and wishing I could see it in person. It helps me remember not to take these moments for granted and truly just live in the moment.”
Featured Image and Photos: BTS (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Budgeting depends on ticket cost, destination, accommodation, and trip length. Nikki Balboa advises setting a clear watch goal — where and how many days you’re attending — before setting a total budget covering flights, lodging, transportation, food, and merchandise.
Elyse Ilagan recommends booking flights and accommodations early, even before confirming tickets, since prices typically rise as demand increases. She suggests choosing accommodations with free cancellation policies and, budget permitting, rebookable flights for added flexibility.
Ilagan and Balboa both advise against skipping meals before a show. BTS concerts run roughly 2.5 hours with long lines for food once inside, so eating and hydrating beforehand helps avoid hunger or dizziness during the performance.
A Weverse membership isn’t required but helps fans stay updated on BTS news, announcements, and merchandise drops. Following official BTS accounts, local ticketing partners, and organizers in the host country is recommended for staying informed on concert logistics.
BTS will perform at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan in March 2027 as part of their Arirang World Tour, following their 2026 comeback album ARIRANG. Both original tour dates sold out, prompting an additional third date, which also sold out.
