NFL honors BTS members with personalized footballs featuring their names and Chicago concert dates
The unusual souvenirs feature each member’s name and the dates of the Soldier Field shows
BTS ’ time in Chicago may already be over, but the group’s two-night visit to Soldier Field will see them head home with items they won’t soon forget.
Following their long-awaited return to the city, all seven members were reportedly seen with personalized NFL -style footballs featuring their names and the dates of their Chicago concerts.
The unusual souvenirs surfaced online after the members attended soundcheck ahead of their second show on August 28.
Photos shared by fans appear to show individual footballs customized for each member, transforming a distinctly American sports item into a memento tied directly to BTS’ ARIRANG World Tour.
The red-and-white footballs feature “BTS: WORLD TOUR” across the white section, while “AUGUST 27 & 28, 2026” appears underneath. Each football also has one member’s name printed on it.
While fans have speculated about the exact origin of the items, the photographs offer a clear look at the personalized designs.
One image shows a member holding a football inside the stadium, while another gives fans a closer view of the lettering and concert dates.
A special keepsake from BTS’ Chicago return
The personalized footballs arrived during an especially important moment for BTS and their fans. The group performed at Soldier Field on August 27 and 28, marking their first Chicago concerts in seven years.
The return was highly anticipated after the group’s lengthy break from touring together.
More than 60,000 members of ARMY gathered at Soldier Field for the opening concert, with fans traveling from different parts of the United States to attend. The weekend also featured BTS-themed meetups, merchandise lines and other fan activities across Chicago.
The concerts represented the chance for many fans to finally see all seven members together onstage again after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the group’s planned 2020 world tour.
BTS’ subsequent hiatus also included the members’ staggered mandatory military service in South Korea.
The enthusiasm surrounding the Chicago shows showed the deep connection between BTS and ARMY. Fans have often credited the group’s music and message with helping them through difficult periods, while BTS has built a reputation for addressing themes including self-acceptance, mental health and personal growth.
Chicago itself embraced the occasion, with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker declaring August 27 and 28 “BTS Days” in recognition of the group’s global influence and their performances at Soldier Field.
With that in mind, the customized footballs have become an especially fitting souvenir, combining BTS’ Chicago experience with a famous piece of American sports culture, while the individual names make each item personal to a member.
