City temporarily renames stretch of Yonge in North York as ‘BTS Boulevard’
Posted August 21, 2026 9:39 am.
Last Updated August 21, 2026 12:56 pm.
It is a big weekend for music fans across the country as the popular boy band BTS returns to Canada for a pair of sold-out concerts in Toronto.
The K-pop sensation, as part of their Arirang World Tour, are performing shows on Saturday and Sunday at Rogers Stadium.
Ahead of the shows, the City of Toronto on Friday temporarily designated a section of Yonge Street, from North York Boulevard to Finch Avenue, as BTS Boulevard.
“Following the installation period, the ceremonial street signs are expected to be donated to NeighbourLink North York for a free giveaway. Details will be announced by the organization at a later date.,” the City stated in a release.
The signs, which will remain in place until Wednesday, Sept. 23, feature a “red design inspired by the visual branding of the current tour.”
Lily Cheng, a city councillor Ward 18 Willowdale, said she hopes this “brings energy, love and hopefully brings tourists” to Koreatown North.
The City also designated Saturday and Sunday as BTS Weekend in Toronto, and the Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square will be illuminated in purple to mark the occasion.
Fans line up for BTS merch on Friday
Earlier on Friday, fans lined up since early morning, waiting for their chance to get their hands on some merchandise, which went on sale at 10 a.m.
Some fans have been waiting for hours just to get near the front of the line.
Another fan came from Saskatoon, saying, “When they announced the tour … we started planning stuff like who is gonna buy the ticket for us, how many tickets are we going to buy.”
Another fan said she has been a fan since she was nine years old, saying, “I am 21 celebrating my birthday with them this week.”
Toronto is the only Canadian stop on the supergroup’s worldwide tour, which is why fans from all across Canada have descended in Toronto.
Before this tour, BTS had been on hiatus since 2022 as each of their seven members had to complete some mandatory military service in South Korea.
The international superstars last performed in Canada in 2018, but their first Toronto show dates back to 2015, when they performed at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.
With files from Rhianne Campbell and Leah Johansen, CityNews
