TWICE Announces Major European Expansion for Ready To Be World Tour Including London Paris and Berlin Dates
Global K-pop sensation TWICE has officially signaled a massive expansion of their fifth world tour, titled Ready To Be, marking a significant milestone in the group’s international trajectory. In an announcement released through JYP Entertainment’s official social media channels on April 23, the nine-member ensemble revealed a new leg of tour dates that will bring their high-energy performances to major European capitals for the first time in their career. This development follows the successful launch of the tour’s first phase, which commenced in Seoul earlier this month, and builds upon the momentum generated by the group’s recent chart-topping musical releases.
The expansion is strategically designed to meet the skyrocketing demand for the group in Western markets, particularly following their successful foray into the North American music scene. The newly announced European leg includes three high-profile stops: London’s O2 Arena on September 8, the Accor Arena in Paris on September 11, and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on September 14. These venues are among the most prestigious in the world, underscoring TWICE’s status as a top-tier global act capable of filling large-scale arenas.
The Evolution of the Ready To Be World Tour
The Ready To Be world tour is the fifth major concert circuit undertaken by TWICE, consisting of members Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu. The tour’s initial itinerary was first unveiled in February, detailing 17 stops across Asia and North America. The tour kicked off with two sold-out nights at the KSPO Dome in Seoul on April 15 and 16, setting a high standard for the production value and performance quality expected throughout the year.
The tour serves as a promotional vehicle for their 12th mini-album, also titled Ready To Be, which was released in March. The album represents a pivotal moment for the group as they transition toward a more mature and globally oriented sound. Led by the title track "Set Me Free" and the pre-release English single "Moonlight Sunrise," the album achieved remarkable commercial success. "Moonlight Sunrise" notably debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the group’s second entry on the prestigious chart after their 2021 hit "The Feels."
The group’s promotional efforts for the album included a high-profile appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they performed "Set Me Free" for a live television audience. This performance was widely cited by industry analysts as a catalyst for their growing popularity in the United States and Europe, showcasing their synchronized choreography and vocal stability to a mainstream Western audience.
Strategic Significance of the European Leg
For years, European fans—collectively known as ONCE—have campaigned for TWICE to bring their full-scale concert production to the continent. While the group has participated in K-pop festivals in Europe, the Ready To Be tour marks their first dedicated headlining arena tour in the region. The selection of London, Paris, and Berlin reflects the primary hubs of K-pop consumption in Europe.
The O2 Arena in London, with a capacity of approximately 20,000, is a landmark venue that has hosted the world’s biggest musical icons. Tickets for the London show are scheduled to go on sale at 10:00 AM on April 28. Similarly, the Accor Arena in Paris and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin are central to the European touring circuit. By securing these venues, JYP Entertainment and their touring partners are positioning TWICE alongside global pop powerhouses, reflecting the group’s commercial viability beyond the traditional K-pop strongholds in Asia.
The expansion into Europe is not merely a logistical feat but a symbolic one. It demonstrates the success of JYP Entertainment’s partnership with Republic Records, a division of Universal Music Group. This alliance was formed to bolster TWICE’s global presence, providing them with the infrastructure and promotional support necessary to navigate the complexities of international touring and distribution.
Chronology of Recent Achievements
The announcement of the tour extension is the latest in a series of record-breaking events for the group in 2023.
- February 2023: JYP Entertainment announces the first 17 dates of the Ready To Be tour, covering Australia, Japan, and North America.
- March 1, 2023: TWICE receives the Breakthrough Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in Los Angeles, becoming the first K-pop female act to be honored at the ceremony.
- March 10, 2023: The 12th mini-album Ready To Be is released. It recorded over 1.7 million pre-orders, setting a new personal record for the group.
- April 15-16, 2023: The world tour officially commences in Seoul, featuring a massive stage setup and a setlist that spans the group’s eight-year career.
- April 23, 2023: The European dates are officially confirmed via social media, sparking viral trends across platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
This timeline illustrates a calculated and rapid expansion. Analysts suggest that the timing of the European announcement—just as the group prepares to head to Australia and North America—is intended to maintain global engagement and ensure that the tour remains a focal point of the music industry news cycle throughout the summer.
Supporting Data and Market Impact
The demand for TWICE’s live performances is backed by robust data. Their previous world tour, titled "III," saw multiple sold-out shows in North American arenas, including an encore performance at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, which made them the first female K-pop group to headline a stadium in the United States.
Market data from 2022 and early 2023 indicates that TWICE is consistently among the top-selling physical artists in the world. According to Luminate’s 2022 Year-End Report, TWICE held high rankings in physical album sales in the U.S., a metric that often correlates with touring success. In Europe, the growth of K-pop streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music has seen a year-over-year increase of over 40% in major markets like Germany and the United Kingdom, providing a fertile ground for the Ready To Be tour.
Industry insiders suggest that the European leg could potentially be expanded further if initial ticket sales meet expectations. The "Part 2" designation of this announcement implies that JYP Entertainment is taking a phased approach to the tour, allowing for flexibility in adding more dates or regions based on logistical feasibility and fan demand.
Official Responses and Fan Anticipation
While formal press conferences regarding the European dates have yet to be held, members of TWICE have expressed their excitement through various fan interaction platforms. During recent "V-Live" and "Bubble" sessions, members Jihyo and Nayeon mentioned their desire to see more fans in regions they haven’t visited frequently. The sentiment among the group appears to be one of gratitude and eagerness to prove their growth on a global stage.
Fans in the UK and Europe have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. On social media, the hashtag #TWICEinEurope trended shortly after the announcement. Local promoters in London and Berlin have noted a high volume of inquiries regarding VIP packages and ticketing tiers, suggesting that the "Ready To Be" tour will be one of the most sought-after tickets of the autumn season.
Broader Implications for K-pop and JYP Entertainment
The expansion of TWICE’s tour is a testament to the "globalization" strategy adopted by major K-pop agencies. For JYP Entertainment, TWICE remains a flagship artist and a primary revenue driver. The success of this tour is crucial for the company’s financial outlook, especially as they look to diversify their market presence away from a heavy reliance on domestic and Japanese markets.
Furthermore, TWICE’s success in Europe paves the way for younger groups under the JYP banner, such as ITZY and NMIXX, to follow a similar touring trajectory. It reinforces the narrative that K-pop has moved beyond a niche "Hallyu" wave into a permanent fixture of the global music economy.
As the music industry continues to recover and evolve in the post-pandemic era, the "Ready To Be" tour stands as a prime example of how digital success—measured in streams and social media engagement—can be successfully converted into a massive physical presence across continents. For TWICE, the move into London, Paris, and Berlin is not just about performing concerts; it is about solidifying their legacy as one of the most influential girl groups in modern music history.
With the first leg of the tour already receiving rave reviews for its choreography, set design, and the members’ individual solo stages, the European audience can expect a world-class production that justifies the years of waiting. As April 28 approaches, all eyes will be on the ticketing platforms to see how quickly the "Ready To Be" fever takes hold of Europe.
