SEVENTEEN is facing backlash over their upcoming 2025 North American tour dates. The group announced their NEW_ world tour starting September 18, hitting several cities across Asia and North America.
Fans are upset after noticing most North American stops are in smaller arenas and less common cities. Ticket sales back up the controversy, with only 75.79% of tickets sold for nine shows. Sales vary widely, from 86.4% in Washington D.C. to a low 60.83% in Sunrise, Florida.
Fans are blaming Pledis and HYBE for poor planning. The tour announcement came just 9 days before ticket sales opened to Carat fanclub members, leaving little time to prepare. Ticket prices also sparked outrage, ranging from $77 to over $500.
The high prices combined with strange city choices mean many fans will have to travel far and spend more. This, plus the flood of K-pop tours currently happening, has many fans stretched for money.
Fans shared their frustration on Twitter:
“hybe and other kpop companies need to fucking realize that you can’t drop tour announcements two months before the show dates and having ticketing sales the following week after dropping and expect groups to sell out”
— kai 😀 (@woobooby)
“We’ve hit a point in kpop concerts that not only are we out pricing casual fans but hardcore fans as well”
— Vi misaing xdh & atz 🙁 (@just_vi_bing)
“the thing is, companies are giving fans a week to figure out finances, pto, transportation, etc – for a concert that starts in a month or two. the prices for tickets has also TRIPLED, on top of everything else. concerts aren’t as accessible as they were 5 years ago, only…”
— lyd is seeing kai (@lydxing)
While the 75% sale rate isn’t terrible, many see this as a warning sign for “sell out” expectations in K-pop touring. Fans are watching closely how Pledis and HYBE respond as SEVENTEEN’s tour approaches.
