V BTS First Pitch Dodgers Stadium August 25 - Tickets Crash Websites
BTS member V will throw ceremonial first pitch at Dodgers vs Reds game as global fan demand overwhelms ticketing platforms
The power of K-pop meets America's pastime as BTS star V (Kim Taehyung) prepares to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on August 25 when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds.
Within hours of the August 17 announcement, ticketing sites including MLB.com and AXS.com temporarily crashed as millions of ARMY fans worldwide scrambled to secure seats. The Dodgers' social media post collected 57,000 likes and over 34,000 retweets within hours, demonstrating V's remarkable pull in the entertainment world.
The LA Dodgers' Instagram announcement asked "ARMY, you ready?" - directly addressing BTS's devoted fanbase and signaling their awareness of the massive audience this collaboration would attract.
V becomes the third BTS member to throw a ceremonial pitch, following Jungkook's 2017 appearance at a Hanshin Tigers game in Japan and J-Hope's 2024 Korean Series pitch in Gwangju. However, this marks the first time a BTS member will perform this honor at a Major League Baseball game in the United States.
When Jungkook pitched in 2017, all seven BTS members attended wearing team jerseys to support him. Fans are now speculating whether the other members, currently in Los Angeles working on their comeback album, might appear to cheer on V.
The ceremonial pitch comes as BTS reunites following the completion of mandatory military service for all seven members. V was discharged from military service in June 2025, and the group is currently in the United States preparing new music.
During a July 2025 livestream watched by 7.3 million fans, BTS announced plans for a spring 2026 comeback with a new album and world tour. The group stated they're "approaching the album with the same mindset we had when we first started."
V's appearance represents more than celebrity entertainment - it showcases the growing cultural exchange between Korean pop culture and American sports. This milestone places V alongside international stars such as Justin Bieber, Tom Cruise, Snoop Dogg, and the Kardashians who have previously participated in Dodgers ceremonial pitches.
The event highlights MLB's strategy to engage diverse international audiences, particularly tapping into the substantial Korean-American population in Los Angeles and the global K-pop phenomenon.
The Dodgers vs Reds game on August 25 begins at 7:10 PM PT, with V's ceremonial pitch kicking off the evening's festivities. Given the unprecedented ticket demand and website crashes following the announcement, the game is expected to draw one of the largest crowds for a regular season matchup.
For ARMY unable to attend in person, the moment will likely be captured and shared across social media platforms, continuing V's track record of viral moments that bridge music and sports entertainment.
As BTS prepares for their highly anticipated 2026 return, V's Dodger Stadium appearance offers fans a preview of the group's continued global influence and their ability to create cultural moments that transcend traditional entertainment boundaries.
