Why did Los Angeles declare BTS Week in September 2026?

Los Angeles designated Sept. 1-8 as BTS Week to mark BTS’s Arirang world tour concerts at SoFi Stadium. The city also planned to light City Hall in red as a welcome and gesture of friendship to the group and visiting fans.

When are BTS’s Los Angeles concerts at SoFi Stadium taking place?

The four sold-out shows are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. They are part of the group’s Arirang world tour and follow a formal proclamation ceremony held at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday.

What did Los Angeles officials say about BTS during the proclamation?

Mayor Karen Bass said the declaration reflects a belief in the power of arts and culture to foster mutual understanding and unite communities. The City Council’s resolution said BTS has helped spread Korean culture worldwide and connected people across languages, cultures and generations.

Los Angeles declares 'BTS Week' ahead of concerts

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Summary

Los Angeles declared BTS Week for Sept. 1-8 ahead of the K-pop group’s four sold-out concerts at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. City Hall will be lit in red on Tuesday as part of the tribute. A formal proclamation ceremony was held on Monday, and Mayor Karen Bass said the honor reflects the power of arts and culture to foster understanding.

Key Facts

The tribute marks BTS’s Arirang world tour concerts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The group’s four shows sold out quickly.
The concerts are BTS’s return to SoFi Stadium about four years and nine months after its Permission to Dance on Stage concerts in December 2021.
The Los Angeles City Council said BTS has been one of the most influential artists of its generation since its 2013 debut.
The city said similar honors have been granted at earlier stops on the Arirang tour, including El Paso County in Texas, Illinois and Toronto.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 1, 2026 11:10 am KST

K-pop boy group BTS / Courtesy of BigHit Music

Los Angeles has officially declared "BTS Week" ahead of the K-pop supergroup's four sold-out shows, the latest in a series of such honors bestowed on the group by cities around the world, the group's agency BigHit Music said Tuesday.

The U.S. city designated Sept. 1-8 as "BTS Week" to mark the group's "Arirang" world tour concerts at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

As part of the tribute, Los Angeles City Hall will be lit in red Tuesday, matching the key color of BTS' fifth studio album, "Arirang," in what officials described as an official welcome and gesture of friendship to the group and visiting fans.

A formal proclamation ceremony was held at the City Hall on Monday, attended by members of the City Council, tourism officials and executives from BigHit Music.

Mayor Karen Bass said the declaration reflects a belief in the power of arts and culture to foster mutual understanding and unite communities, according to BigHit.

The city is proud to honor BTS' remarkable contributions to global culture and celebrate its special connection with Los Angeles, Bass was quoted as saying.

The City Council said in a resolution that BTS has become one of the most influential artists of its generation since its 2013 debut, opening doors for Korean and other Asian artists in the global music industry.

It also praised how the group's messages — delivered through music, performances and campaigns promoting self-love and hope — have connected people across languages, cultures and generations while helping spread Korean culture worldwide.

The concerts mark BTS' return to SoFi Stadium about four years and nine months after its "Permission to Dance on Stage" concerts in December 2021. All four shows for the "Arirang" tour stop sold out quickly.

Similar honors have been granted at earlier stops on the "Arirang" tour. El Paso County in Texas, the state of Illinois and Toronto have designated "BTS Week" or "BTS Day" to commemorate the group's concerts.

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