The popular K-pop group BTS is in town. Around 150,000 fans are expected across three nights starting Saturday at Stanford Stadium. Preparations are underway for the concerts and the merch section ahead of Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday’s concerts at Stanford Stadium. The popular K-pop group h as a global fanbase, and this tour specifically is generating a lot of excitement. This is the first time the group’s been back to the Bay Area since 2018. In 2022 BTS announced a break to pursue solo projects and fulfill their mandatory service in the Korean military, but they’re back. “It’s so near me, it’s so close to me, I’m just so excited and it’s been so long and I really can’t wait,” said Dayana, a fan. “My husband printed this on his 3D printer, we actually made like 150 pieces, so I’m going to give them away to the fellow ARMYs,” said Liz, a fan. And BTS is growing a multi-generational fan base by not only attracting their ‘day one’ fans, but adding new ones, too. “It’s dancing, the rap, even though I can’t understand all of it, I like the beat. And from what I’ve seen, their dancing, their performance is,” Vanessa, a fan, said. But it’s not just about the concerts – fans want the merch. “I’m scoping out the scene, scoping out the stadium and where the merch is going to be, I’m coming for the early merch tomorrow,” Vanessa said. As the City of Palo Alto gears up to welcome fans, they’re recommending them to take public transportation. VTA is celebrating BTS’s return with branded buses. And the closest Caltrain station is about a 20-minute walk to the stadium. The concert’s area is also expected to bring in an economic boost. Several hotels on El Camino in Palo Alto said they’re either completely booked or almost booked thru the weekend. “Events like this bring a tremendous energy and vibrancy to our community, and really going to provide a real boost for our local economy, whether it’s hotels, restaurants, small businesses, everyone is going to be able to benefit from it,” Palo Alto Vice Mayor Greer Stone said. Merch opens up Friday at 10 a.m., the parking area opens at 9 a.m. The university is working with a number of agencies to ensure fan safety including Palo Alto Fire, its dept of Public Safety and Entertainment Security partners. ...read more read less