BTS fans sweat through long lines, show out in force for Tampa concert

BTS is back. And the Tampa Army is turning out.

The superstar K-pop band returned this year with its sixth album, “Arirang,” and a world tour to go with it. The first three shows in North America — Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday — take place at RayJay.

“People are coming here from all over the place,” Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay said. “We’re getting calls from Korean press about BTS being in Tampa. … Now, there’s a special place in Korea in their hearts for Tampa, because their beloved group performed here.”

Fans — many wearing colorful, themed costumes — tailgated early and queued up in long lines outside the stadium before doors opened for the show.

If you’re going to BTS in Tampa this week, here’s everything you need to know about the shows, from merch to weather to pop-up events around town.