TWICE Expands Ready To Be World Tour with New Dates Across Europe and Asia Following Global Success

JYP Entertainment has officially confirmed a significant expansion of TWICE’s fifth and largest world tour, Ready To Be, following a period of record-breaking chart performances and high demand from international fanbases. The announcement, shared through the group’s official social media channels on April 23, details a series of new stops that will bring the nine-member ensemble to Europe and Southeast Asia, marking a pivotal moment in the group’s eight-year career. This extension follows the initial announcement of the tour’s first leg, which saw the group performing in major cities across South Korea, Australia, Japan, and North America.

The expansion is a direct response to the global success of their 12th mini-album, also titled Ready To Be, which was released in March. The album’s lead single, Set Me Free, and the pre-release English-language track, Moonlight Sunrise, have solidified TWICE’s position as a powerhouse in the global music industry. The tour’s growth reflects a strategic push by JYP Entertainment to capitalize on the group’s burgeoning popularity in Western markets, particularly following their high-profile television appearances and stadium-scale successes in the United States.

The Evolution of the Ready To Be World Tour

The Ready To Be world tour officially commenced earlier this month with a two-night residency at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on April 15 and 16. These opening shows set the tone for the tour, featuring a sophisticated production design, live band arrangements, and a setlist that spanned the group’s extensive discography. The initial announcement in February had already generated immense hype, covering 17 dates across Asia and North America, including historic bookings at massive venues like the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

With the newly announced extension, TWICE is set to make their highly anticipated debut on the European concert circuit. For years, European fans, known collectively as ONCE, have petitioned for the group to bring their full-scale production to the continent. The European leg is scheduled to feature three major stops in September, beginning at the O2 Arena in London on September 8. This will be followed by a performance at the Accor Arena in Paris on September 11, before concluding the leg at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on September 14.

The selection of these venues is indicative of TWICE’s massive draw. The O2 Arena, for instance, is one of the world’s busiest and most prestigious music venues, with a capacity of 20,000. Selling out such a venue is often considered a litmus test for a global superstar’s reach. Similarly, the Accor Arena and Mercedes-Benz Arena are cornerstone venues for international touring acts in France and Germany, respectively.

Chart Dominance and the Ready To Be Era

The momentum for this tour is fueled by the commercial and critical success of the Ready To Be mini-album. Upon its release, the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, making TWICE the first female K-pop act to have three albums reach the top three of the chart. The project showcased a more mature and confident side of the group, moving away from their earlier "bubblegum pop" roots toward a more sophisticated, disco-infused, and synth-pop sound.

The single Set Me Free became a global hit, aided by a visually stunning music video and a promotional blitz that included a live performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The performance on Fallon’s Thursday night slot was widely praised for the group’s sharp choreography and vocal stability, further introducing them to a mainstream American audience. Additionally, the single Moonlight Sunrise, released in January as a precursor to the album, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking their second entry on the chart after their 2021 hit The Feels. These achievements have provided the necessary data for JYP Entertainment to confidently book larger venues and expand the tour into regions previously untouched by the group’s live circuits.

Detailed Chronology of Upcoming Dates

The Ready To Be tour is structured in phases to accommodate the group’s rigorous schedule and the logistical demands of a global production. Following the Seoul kickoff, the group traveled to Australia for shows in Sydney and Melbourne in early May. This was followed by a historic run in Japan, where TWICE became the first K-pop girl group to hold a stadium tour in the country, performing at the Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka and the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

The North American leg, which begins in June, includes stops in Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, New York, and Atlanta. Many of these dates sold out during the pre-sale period, prompting the addition of several encore shows.

The newly announced Part 2 of the tour includes:

• Singapore: September 2 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
• London, UK: September 8 at the O2 Arena.
• Paris, France: September 11 at the Accor Arena.
• Berlin, Germany: September 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
• Bangkok, Thailand: September 23 at the Impact Arena.
• Bulacan, Philippines: September 30 at the Philippine Arena.

The inclusion of the Philippine Arena is particularly noteworthy, as it is the world’s largest indoor arena, with a capacity of 55,000. This choice highlights the immense popularity of TWICE in Southeast Asia, where they have consistently been one of the most-streamed artists for several years.

Industry Implications and Strategic Partnerships

The expansion of the Ready To Be tour is a testament to the successful partnership between JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, a label under the Universal Music Group. This strategic alliance, which began in 2020 and was expanded in 2022, was designed to bolster TWICE’s global presence. Republic Records has played a crucial role in securing high-profile media opportunities and streamlining distribution in the West, which has directly translated into the high ticket demand seen for the 2023 tour.

Industry analysts suggest that TWICE’s move into European arenas is a calculated step to diversify their revenue streams and solidify their "legacy" status. In the fast-paced world of K-pop, where new groups debut frequently, TWICE’s ability to maintain and grow their audience after eight years is seen as a benchmark for the industry. By successfully transitioning from theaters to arenas and now to stadiums, they are following a trajectory previously only seen by groups like BTS and Blackpink.

The financial implications for JYP Entertainment are significant. Touring remains the most lucrative aspect of the music business, particularly when factoring in high-margin merchandise sales and VIP packages. With the Ready To Be tour projected to reach hundreds of thousands of fans across four continents, it is expected to be a primary driver of the company’s earnings for the fiscal year 2023.

Fan Reaction and Cultural Impact

The reaction from the global fan community has been overwhelmingly positive. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, hashtags related to the tour extension trended globally within minutes of the announcement. Fans in Europe, many of whom have waited since the group’s debut in 2015 to see them live, expressed a mix of relief and excitement.

The cultural impact of TWICE’s tour cannot be understated. As representatives of the "Hallyu" (Korean Wave), their presence in major European and American cities serves as a form of cultural diplomacy. Their concerts are not merely musical events but large-scale cultural gatherings that bring together diverse audiences. The group’s message of inclusivity and self-confidence, themes central to the Ready To Be album, resonates deeply with their global fanbase.

Ticketing Information and Logistics

For the European leg, tickets for the London show at the O2 Arena are scheduled to go on sale to the general public on April 28 at 10:00 AM local time. Pre-sales for O2 customers and Live Nation members are expected to take place in the days leading up to the general sale. Given the limited number of dates in Europe—only three cities—demand is expected to far exceed supply. Industry experts predict that the London, Paris, and Berlin dates will sell out within minutes, potentially leading to the announcement of additional nights if the group’s schedule allows.

Logistically, the tour is a massive undertaking. The production includes a complex stage setup designed to bring the performers closer to the audience, involving large-scale LED screens, pyrotechnics, and a mobile stage. Transporting this equipment across continents requires a sophisticated supply chain, highlighting the scale at which JYP Entertainment is now operating.

Conclusion

As TWICE prepares to embark on this next chapter of the Ready To Be world tour, the group stands at the pinnacle of their career. The extension into Europe and the booking of massive venues in Asia and North America signal a new era of global dominance for the nine members. By continuously evolving their sound and expanding their reach, TWICE is not only breaking records but also redefining what is possible for a K-pop girl group on the international stage. The coming months will see the group travel thousands of miles, performing for hundreds of thousands of fans, and further cementing their legacy as one of the most influential musical acts of the decade. For the members—Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—this tour is more than just a series of concerts; it is a celebration of their journey and a promise to their fans that they are, indeed, ready to be global icons.