BTS arrived at the second stop of the North αмєяι¢αn leg of the 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'' at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mαѕѕachusetts, on August 5-6 (local time). The venue had already set a record by selling out every show in advance and was expected to welcome approximately 130,000 attendees over the two days. The group also officially made history as the first K-pop artist to headline and hold a solo concert at this iconic stadium.
From early in the morning, the area surrounding the stadium was packed with fans from different countries and of all ages. They wore modernized Hanbok, outfits in shades of red—the signature color of BTS' fifth full-length album, "ARIRANG"—or recreated the members' iconic stage looks, making the anticipation for the concert even more electric.
However, what caught everyone's attention was that more than 30 minutes had pαѕѕed beyond the scheduled start time, yet BTS had still not appeared on stage, leaving many fans confused. What caused the concert to begin so late? The real reason behind the delay was later revealed!
According to fans who were at the scene, this time the issue was not related to ticket checks or entry procedures, as had been the case at some previous stops, but rather to severe traffic congestion around Gillette Stadium. Thousands of vehicles were heading toward the stadium at the same time, combined with rush-hour traffic and several roads being blocked by medians or security checkpoints that υиєχρє¢тє∂ly altered traffic routes, causing heavy congestion on many roads leading to the venue. The stadium parking lots were also completely full, making it extremely difficult to find a parking space.
Traffic congestion is not uncommon at BTS' large-scale concerts and is completely understandable. However, according to local fans, the situation in Foxborough was on an entirely different level. One fan wrote on X that even though she had left several hours before fans were supposed to line up for the concert, she still had not made it into the stadium by 7:00 PM, writing: "This traffic is ridiculous... I've been driving since 12pm... I'm right next to the stadium but this traffic is horrendous. There's tons of people still out here."
Another ARMY shared a similar experience: "I literally left the house at 12. There was traffic all across Mαѕѕachusetts. BTS IF YOU HEAR ME PLEASE DELAY 15 MINS. I'M STILL IN TRAFFIC. WHAT DO YOU MEAN 30 MINUTES FOR 3.1 MILES." These posts suggest that it wasn't just the roads surrounding the stadium that were congested, but that the transportation network across a much wider area had virtually come to a standstill, with nearly every route leading to Gillette Stadium heavily backed up for hours.
With only about 15 minutes remaining before the concert was scheduled to begin, X was still flooded with desperate messages directed at the stadium and the organizers, hoping the show would be delayed. Posts from ARMYs included: "@GilletteStadium PLEASE DELAY YOUR SHOW THERE ARE STILL SO MANY PEOPLE STUCK IN TRAFFIC," "Concert starts in 13 minutes and there's still a fυ¢к ton of traffic outside the stadium IM GONNA KMS," and "Hopefully the organizers will extend the delay to wait for ARMYs"...
Fortunately, BTS and the organizers truly heard the fans' concerns, and the concert was postponed by 30 minutes, only beginning after most attendees had taken their seats. The decision was widely praised by fans, as it allowed them to avoid мιѕѕιиg the important opening performances. The concert then went on successfully in an incredibly pαѕѕionate atmosphere, while BTS themselves were deeply impressed and moved by the dedication of the local fans.
Meanwhile, many ARMYs were quick to share tips for those attending Day 2. According to them, to avoid experiencing the same traffic nightmare, fans should leave home early in the morning and spend time waiting near the stadium. Some even recommended a fun activity while waiting for the gates to open: "free soundcheck viewing."
Based on the experience of fans who attended Day 1, those who head to Gate C1, near the restaurants on the left side of the stadium, will find a large staircase offering a partial view of the stage. One ARMY explained: "They have a huge entrance for floor that was only gated rather than covered by curtains." As a result, fans standing outside the stadium were also able to watch part of BTS' soundcheck inside. However, fans also noted that the soundcheck lasts only about 15 minutes, beginning at 5:00 PM (EDT), so anyone hoping to catch this special moment should pay close attention to the timing.
