TWICE Announces Major European Expansion for Ready To Be Fifth World Tour with New Dates in London Paris and Berlin
Global K-pop sensation TWICE has officially confirmed the extension of their massive "Ready To Be" world tour, marking a significant milestone in the group’s career as they prepare to bring their high-energy performances to major European cities. The announcement, released through JYP Entertainment’s official social media channels on April 23, details the second part of their global itinerary, which now includes highly anticipated stops in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. 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 influence in the Western music market.
The "Ready To Be" world tour is TWICE’s fifth major concert outing, and it is shaping up to be their most ambitious to date. The initial announcement in February 2023 outlined 17 dates across Asia, Australia, and North America, including historic stadium shows that underscore the group’s status as a premier global act. With the addition of the European leg, TWICE is set to meet a long-standing demand from their international fanbase, known as ONCE, who have campaigned for a comprehensive European tour for years.
Strategic Expansion into the European Market
The newly announced European leg consists of three marquee dates in some of the continent’s most prestigious venues. The journey begins on September 8 at the O2 Arena in London, a venue synonymous with global superstardom. Following the London show, the group will travel to Paris to perform at the Accor Arena on September 11. The European leg will conclude at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on September 14.
Ticketing information has already begun to circulate, with sales for the London O2 Arena show scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM BST on April 28. Industry analysts suggest that these tickets will be among the most sought-after in the K-pop genre this year, given TWICE’s track record of rapid sell-outs in North America and Asia. The choice of venues—all of which boast capacities exceeding 15,000—indicates JYP Entertainment’s confidence in the group’s ability to draw massive crowds in regions where K-pop has seen exponential growth over the last five years.
The Success of the Ready To Be Era
The world tour shares its name with TWICE’s 12th mini-album, "Ready To Be," which was released in March 2023 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album’s lead single, "Set Me Free," alongside the pre-release English single "Moonlight Sunrise," has played a pivotal role in maintaining the group’s momentum. "Moonlight Sunrise" notably marked the group’s second entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 84 and demonstrating their increasing resonance with English-speaking audiences.
The promotional cycle for "Ready To Be" featured a high-profile appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," where the group performed "Set Me Free." This performance was widely regarded as a turning point for the group’s visibility in the United States, showcasing their synchronized choreography and vocal stability to a mainstream late-night television audience. The album itself debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, earning the highest first-week sales for any female K-pop act at the time of its release. This commercial success provided the necessary leverage for JYP Entertainment to expand the tour’s scope, moving from arenas to stadiums in North America and now securing top-tier arenas in Europe.
Chronology of the Ready To Be World Tour
The timeline of the "Ready To Be" tour reflects a meticulous rollout strategy by JYP Entertainment. The journey began in late 2022 and early 2023 with the teaser campaign for the "Moonlight Sunrise" single, which set the stage for the album’s arrival.
- January 20, 2023: Release of "Moonlight Sunrise," the group’s second original English single, focusing on the global market.
- February 21, 2023: Initial announcement of the "Ready To Be" World Tour Part 1, covering Seoul, Australia, Japan, and North America.
- March 10, 2023: Official release of the 12th mini-album "Ready To Be" and the title track "Set Me Free."
- April 15–16, 2023: The tour officially kicks off with two sold-out nights at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, featuring a refreshed setlist and solo stages for all nine members.
- April 23, 2023: Announcement of Part 2, introducing the European leg and additional dates in Southeast Asia.
This structured rollout has allowed the group to build anticipation incrementally, ensuring that each new announcement maintains a high level of engagement across social media platforms.
Supporting Data and Group Longevity
The scale of this tour is particularly significant given the context of TWICE’s career. In 2022, all nine members—Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu—unanimously renewed their contracts with JYP Entertainment. This move defied the common "seven-year itch" that often leads to the disbandment or downsizing of K-pop groups. The contract renewal has ushered in a "second chapter" for the group, characterized by increased individual creative freedom and a more aggressive pursuit of global markets.
Data from concert touring industry trackers suggests that TWICE is currently among the top-earning female touring acts globally. Their previous world tour, "III," saw them become the first female K-pop group to hold a stadium concert in the United States at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles. The "Ready To Be" tour continues this trajectory, with scheduled stops at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, making them the first girl group to headline these massive venues.
Broader Implications for the K-pop Industry
The expansion of TWICE’s tour into Europe is indicative of a broader trend within the music industry: the globalization of K-pop beyond the traditional hubs of East Asia and North America. While groups like BTS and BLACKPINK have previously paved the way for stadium-level tours in Europe, TWICE’s entry into this market signifies that the "K-pop wave" has deep-seated longevity and a diversifying roster of top-tier talent capable of sustaining large-scale international tours.
Furthermore, the focus on London, Paris, and Berlin highlights these cities as the "big three" hubs for K-pop in Europe. By securing dates at the O2 and the Accor Arena, TWICE is positioning itself alongside global pop icons. This move is expected to stimulate local economies, as K-pop concerts often draw "tourist fans" from neighboring countries, leading to increased spending in the hospitality and retail sectors.
Official Responses and Fan Reaction
While official statements from the members have focused on their excitement to see "European ONCE" for the first time in a dedicated tour setting, JYP Entertainment has emphasized the technical production of the show. The agency noted that the "Ready To Be" tour features a "larger-than-life" stage production, designed to accommodate the group’s complex choreography while providing an immersive experience for fans in the back rows of large arenas.
Fan reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have been overwhelmingly positive, with hashtags related to the tour expansion trending globally within minutes of the announcement. For many fans in Europe, this tour represents the fulfillment of a years-long wait, as the group’s previous world tours had more limited geographical reaches.
Future Outlook and Tour Legacy
As TWICE prepares to embark on this historic journey, the "Ready To Be" world tour is set to redefine the group’s legacy. No longer just "the nation’s girl group" in South Korea, TWICE has successfully transitioned into a global powerhouse. The tour not only serves as a promotional vehicle for their latest music but also as a celebration of their eight-year journey and their unwavering bond with their global fanbase.
The European leg, though currently limited to three cities, is widely expected to be a precursor to even larger tours in the future. If the ticket sales for London, Paris, and Berlin follow the trend seen in North America, it is likely that additional dates or larger venues may be considered for future installments. For now, the focus remains on the September dates, which promise to be a landmark moment for K-pop in Europe and a career-defining chapter for the nine members of TWICE.
As the music industry continues to watch the "Ready To Be" tour unfold, it is clear that TWICE is not just participating in the global music scene—they are leading it. With a combination of chart-topping hits, a loyal international following, and the backing of a strategic powerhouse like JYP Entertainment, the group is well-positioned to break even more records as they head toward the autumn of 2023.
