Up to 120,000 fans expected over two-night run

Metro extended, reinforced for massive crowds

Belgium's World Cup match same evening raises security concerns

BTS performs "Arirang," their comeback concert, in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday (local time). Shown here are BTS members performing at their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul in March. [Pool photo]
BTS performs "Arirang," their comeback concert, in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday (local time). Shown here are BTS members performing at their comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul in March. [Pool photo]

BTS is set to perform in Brussels, Belgium, for the first time since the group's debut, with crowds of up to 120,000 expected to descend on the city over two nights.

The group will hold two concerts Wednesday and Thursday evening (local time) at King Baudouin Stadium in northwestern Brussels, which holds 50,000 people, as part of their "Arirang" world tour. Tickets sold out in under 30 minutes. Belgian French-language public broadcaster RTBF estimated that up to 120,000 fans would attend across the two nights.

BTS's arrival has raised hopes that Brussels will emerge as a K-pop hub in Europe, with the city poised to enjoy a significant economic windfall. The hospitality sector in particular is reaping the benefits. Hotel data firm Lighthouse said demand for Brussels hotels around the concert dates has surged nearly 100 percent compared with the same period last year. Occupancy for Wednesday, the first night of the concerts, had already exceeded 90 percent by late March.

Brussels is not a dedicated tourist city, and its relatively small size means hotel capacity is limited — sending room rates soaring. A check of booking platforms including Booking.com found that hotel prices in central Brussels on Wednesday were running three to five times higher than usual, with some properties charging more than 10 times the normal rate.

Brussels Tourism has taken note of the large number of teenage fans attending the concerts with their parents. The agency told RTBF it plans to promote tourism packages that allow families to explore the city together. "The BTS concert is a great opportunity to raise Brussels's international profile," a tourism official said. "It's a chance to show that Brussels is a global city where diverse cultural events take place."

Brussels public transport operator STIB has drawn up a special transport plan to handle up to 60,000 people converging on King Baudouin Stadium each evening. The agency will increase metro frequency and extend operating hours, while deploying additional staff at stations to assist passengers and manage safety.

Adding to the logistical challenge, Belgium's Round of 32 World Cup match against Senegal is scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m. Wednesday, raising fears of severe congestion in central Brussels deep into the night.

Local police have gone on emergency alert, as the simultaneous dispersal of concertgoers from the stadium and World Cup street revelers risks causing serious disorder in the city.


won@heraldcorp.com