Cover BTS’s Arirang World Tour turned North American cities into unmissable destinations for fans of the iconic K-pop group. Here, RM visits the ‘Crying Tree’ at Stanford University (Photo: @blobyblo/Instagram)
BTS’s Arirang World Tour turned North American cities into unmissable destinations for fans of the iconic K-pop group. Here, RM visits the ‘Crying Tree’ at Stanford University (Photo: @blobyblo/Instagram)
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From Mexico City’s presidential palace to a secret 12K race in San Francisco, here are the exact destinations BTS visited—and how you can follow in their footsteps
Stadiums may have been the main event, but some of the most memorable moments of BTS’s 2026 Arirang World Tour happened beyond the stage. Across North America, the group’s itinerary intersected with historic landmarks, neighbourhood institutions and spontaneous local experiences that quickly became part of tour lore. From Mexico City to San Francisco, here is a city-by-city guide to the places BTS helped put on every ARMY’s radar.
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The National Palace (Mexico City): stand in the Zócalo where BTS met the president
Above BTS receive the Distinguished Visitors plaque at Mexico City's iconic National Palace
Few squares on earth carry the weight of Mexico City’s Zócalo. One of the largest public plazas in the world, it is flanked by the magnificent Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio Nacional—a seat of Mexican political power since the Aztec era.
All seven BTS members received an official invitation from President Claudia Sheinbaum, earning a Visitantes Distinguidos plaque for promoting peace, empathy and diversity. They then stepped onto the palace balcony—a privilege typically reserved for Independence Day—to address a crowd of 50,000 fans packed into the square below. V’s spirited cry of “Mucho picante!” became an instant legend.
Inside, Diego Rivera’s sweeping murals depicting Mexican history are unmissable. Visit at golden hour, when the plaza glows amber and the street food stalls come alive.
Arena México (Mexico City): sit ringside for traditional Lucha Libre wrestling
Above Jin, Suga, Jimin and Jungkook went ringside at the legendary Arena México for Lucha Libre
Lucha Libre is as essential to Mexican culture as mariachi or mole, and nowhere is it more electric than at Arena México, the sport’s spiritual home since 1956. Jin, Suga, Jimin and Jungkook headed ringside for a live bout—only to have their cover blown when legendary luchador Místico appeared in a custom white jacket bearing the BTS logo.
Jin later wore that jacket onstage at Estadio GNP Seguros. Suga moved the crowd by recalling his childhood devotion to wrestlers Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero.
Matches run most Friday and Sunday evenings; ringside tickets sell out fast, so book well in advance for the full, roaring experience.
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Pickle & Pint (Tampa Bay area): play a hilarious pickleball match like Jin and V
The sun-soaked Tampa Bay region is famous for the historic Cuban enclave of Ybor City and the scenic Tampa Riverwalk, but the ultimate ARMY sports pilgrimage actually requires a quick drive across the bridge to Pinellas County.
During their day off, Jin and V—joined by J-Hope—channelled that spirit at Pickle & Pint, the beloved sports bar and pickleball hub, where their competitive battle on the courts went gloriously viral. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a total beginner, Pickle & Pint’s laid-back courts and lively bar atmosphere make it an essential stop. Pair your court reservation with a post-game trip to nearby Clearwater Beach to round out a perfect local day.
The Bay to Breakers 12K route (San Francisco): retrace Suga’s secret run
Held annually since 1912, Bay to Breakers is one of the oldest and most beloved road races in the United States—a joyful, costumed carnival that winds from the Embarcadero on the bay side of the city all the way to Ocean Beach on the Pacific. The route climbs the punishing Hayes Street Hill before cutting through the quiet morning paths of Golden Gate Park, offering some of the city’s most scenic running terrain.
Suga quietly joined 30,000 runners at the start line, disguised in a bright blue cap with a GoPro strapped to his head, and completed the 12K in 1:04:43—averaging an 8:41-minute-per-mile pace—before performing a full stadium show that same evening in Palo Alto.
Even outside race season, the full route makes for an exceptional self-guided morning run through the heart of the city.
Stanford University campus (Palo Alto): walk the sun-drenched lawns visited by RM
Just ahead of BTS’s final Stanford Stadium concert, RM made a solo detour to one of the most curious landmarks in K-pop lore. Tucked within Stanford’s sprawling campus, the so-called “Crying Tree” is closely associated with Epik High’s Tablo, who had encouraged RM to visit during a joint YouTube appearance. RM obliged, posting a photo at the site that Tablo later reshared with delight.
Beyond this, Stanford’s campus—nicknamed “The Farm”—is one of Northern California’s most beautiful and freely accessible public spaces. The open-air Rodin Sculpture Garden houses original bronze casts, the Cantor Arts Centre offers a world-class permanent collection and the sandstone arcades and terracotta rooftiles of the main quad make for exceptional wandering. For devotees of RM's “Namjooning” philosophy—art, quiet reflection and unhurried exploration—there are few better afternoons in the Bay Area.
Downtown El Paso (Texas): dine like pop royalty in the Sun City
El Paso is one of America’s most underrated border cities—a sun-scorched, mountain-rimmed destination where Texan, Mexican and Indigenous cultures have converged for centuries. Straddling the Rio Grande opposite Ciudad Juárez, it carries a distinctive frontier energy: wide desert skies, adobe architecture and a food scene shaped by generations of cross-border exchange.
Before their sold-out Sun Bowl shows, five members—RM, Jimin, V, J-Hope, Jung Kook—headed to Kaedama Ramen near the UTEP campus. The group ordered gyozas, pork buns and the signature Thicc Boi—a pork broth with braised pork belly—before ordering additional rounds to go for their crew. The members also ate at Rib Hut, another local staple worth adding to any itinerary.
Beyond the dining scene, the 27,000-acre Franklin Mountains State Park offers over 100 miles of desert trails with sweeping views of two countries, while the historic Union Plaza district and the El Paso Museum of Art make for a rich afternoon of culture. Throughout the tour stop, the Star on the Mountain on the Franklin Mountains was lit purple in BTS’s honour—a reminder that in El Paso, even the landscape joins the celebration.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
