TWICE Expands Ready To Be World Tour With Highly Anticipated European Dates and Global Stadium Stops

JYP Entertainment has officially confirmed a significant expansion to TWICE’s fifth world tour, titled "Ready To Be," marking a pivotal moment in the group’s international trajectory. In an announcement released via the group’s official social media channels on April 23, the K-pop powerhouse unveiled a new set of dates that will take the nine-member ensemble to major European cities for the first time in their career. This expansion follows the successful launch of the tour’s first leg in Seoul earlier this month and serves as a testament to the group’s burgeoning global influence. The tour, which originally saw 17 stops across Asia and North America announced in February, now encompasses a broader reach, reflecting the massive demand for the group’s live performances following the release of their 12th mini-album, also titled Ready To Be.

The "Ready To Be" world tour is characterized by its unprecedented scale for the group. While TWICE has long been a dominant force in the Asian music market, this tour sees them breaking into massive Western venues, including several stadiums in North America. The inclusion of Europe represents a strategic move by JYP Entertainment to solidify TWICE’s presence in a region where K-pop’s popularity has surged exponentially over the last five years. The new leg of the tour is scheduled to begin in London at the O2 Arena on September 8, followed by a performance at the Accor Arena in Paris on September 11, and concluding the European segment at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on September 14.

Chronology of the Ready To Be Era and Tour Development

The journey toward this world tour began in early 2023 with the pre-release of the group’s second English-language single, "Moonlight Sunrise." The track, which debuted in January, signaled a clear intent to target a global audience, following the success of their first English single, "The Feels," in 2021. "Moonlight Sunrise" achieved significant chart success, entering the Billboard Hot 100 and setting the stage for the group’s 12th mini-album.

On March 10, 2023, TWICE released Ready To Be, featuring the title track "Set Me Free." The album was a commercial and critical success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200. This achievement was bolstered by an intensive promotional campaign in the United States, which included a high-profile performance of "Set Me Free" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The appearance on late-night American television was widely viewed as a successful effort to introduce the group’s new, more mature sound to a mainstream Western audience.

The tour itself officially kicked off with two sold-out nights at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on April 15 and 16. These initial shows served as a blueprint for the "Ready To Be" experience, featuring a setlist that blended their classic hits with new tracks that emphasize the members’ individual growth and collective stage presence. Following the Seoul kickoff, the group prepared for the North American leg, which includes historic stops at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, making TWICE the first female K-pop group to headline these massive venues.

Detailed European Leg and Ticketing Information

For European fans, known collectively as ONCE, the announcement of the September dates is a long-awaited development. Historically, TWICE’s touring schedules have focused heavily on South Korea, Japan, and the United States. The decision to include London, Paris, and Berlin indicates that JYP Entertainment and their Western partners, Republic Records, have identified a sustainable and passionate fan base in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The venues selected for the European leg are among the most prestigious in the world:

• London (September 8): The O2 Arena is a world-class venue with a capacity of approximately 20,000. It has hosted some of the biggest names in music and is a frequent stop for top-tier K-pop acts. Tickets for the London show are scheduled to go on sale at 10:00 AM BST on April 28, with high demand expected to result in a rapid sell-out.
• Paris (September 11): The Accor Arena, located in the Bercy neighborhood, is a staple for international tours in France. With a capacity of up to 20,000, it provides a grand stage for the group’s intricate choreography and high-production visuals.
• Berlin (September 14): The Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin serves as the final stop of the European leg. Germany has become a central hub for K-pop in Europe, and the selection of this 17,000-capacity arena reflects the group’s strong performance in Central European music markets.

Supporting Data and Market Impact

The expansion of the "Ready To Be" tour is supported by robust data reflecting TWICE’s growing commercial power. The Ready To Be mini-album achieved over 1.7 million pre-orders, a career-high for the group, highlighting their consistent upward trajectory even in their eighth year since debut. In the United States, the album earned 153,000 equivalent album units in its first week, the biggest week for any female K-pop act at the time of release.

Industry analysts suggest that the "Ready To Be" tour is a cornerstone of JYP Entertainment’s 2023 financial strategy. By transitioning from arenas to stadiums in North America and opening new markets in Europe, the company is maximizing the "fandom economy." Tour merchandise, VIP packages, and the sheer volume of ticket sales are expected to contribute significantly to the agency’s annual revenue. Furthermore, the partnership with Republic Records has been instrumental in navigating the logistical complexities of a tour of this magnitude, ensuring that the group’s branding and accessibility remain consistent across different continents.

Official Responses and Strategic Implications

While formal press releases from JYP Entertainment have focused on the logistical details of the dates, the sentiment shared through official social media channels emphasizes a "limitless" growth mindset. The title of the tour and album, Ready To Be, serves as a declaration of the group’s readiness to break barriers and redefine their identity.

The strategic implications of this tour extension are manifold. Firstly, it positions TWICE as a truly global act rather than a regional phenomenon. Secondly, it addresses the "Seven-Year Jinx"—a common term in the K-pop industry referring to groups disbanding after their initial contracts expire. By renewing their contracts in late 2022 and immediately embarking on their largest world tour to date, TWICE has demonstrated a level of longevity and internal cohesion that is rare in the industry.

Musical critics have noted that the "Ready To Be" era represents a shift in TWICE’s musicality. Moving away from the "bubblegum pop" sound of their early years, the group has embraced disco, synth-pop, and R&B elements. This evolution is vital for maintaining relevance in the global market, where audiences often gravitate toward more sophisticated and diverse production styles. The live tour is the primary vehicle for showcasing this evolution, featuring solo stages where each of the nine members—Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—can display their individual talents.

Broader Impact on the K-pop Industry

TWICE’s successful expansion into Europe and North American stadiums sets a new benchmark for female groups in the industry. It proves that the "stadium-status" previously reserved for a handful of male groups or Western pop icons is attainable for K-pop girl groups with dedicated global followings. This tour expansion is likely to encourage other entertainment agencies to invest more heavily in European tours, which were previously seen as logistically difficult or less profitable compared to the Asian and American markets.

Moreover, the "Ready To Be" tour contributes to the "Hallyu" (Korean Wave) 3.0 or 4.0, where K-pop is no longer a niche subculture but a mainstream pillar of the global entertainment industry. As TWICE prepares to take the stage at the O2 Arena and other major venues, they carry with them the weight of an industry that is increasingly looking outward.

The upcoming months will be intensive for the group as they navigate the rigorous schedule of a multi-continental tour. However, with the backing of JYP Entertainment and a massive global fanbase, the "Ready To Be" world tour is poised to be one of the defining musical events of 2023. Fans in London, Paris, and Berlin now wait for April 28 to secure their chance to witness a group that has evolved from "Asia’s No. 1 Girl Group" into a formidable global force. As the tour progresses, it will likely continue to break records, further cementing TWICE’s legacy in the annals of pop music history.