BTS Taehyung will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Cincinnati Reds on August 25, 2025. The event marks his first major public appearance at a Major League Baseball event since his military discharge in June. The game starts at 7:10 PM Pacific Time at Dodger Stadium, with the pregame ceremony expected shortly before. V becomes the third BTS member to participate in a ceremonial pitch, following Jungkook and J-hope. The announcement caused a surge in ticket sales, temporarily crashing the Dodgers’ ticketing platform due to overwhelming demand from fans worldwide.
V’s participation continues the Dodgers’ historical connection with South Korean athletes. Park Chan-ho became the first Korean-born MLB player with the Dodgers in 1994, and Ryu Hyun-jin pitched for the team from 2013 to 2019. The current roster includes infielder Kim Hye-sung. Just two days after V’s appearance, soccer star Son Heung-min will also throw a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium, adding to the week’s high-profile events.
Global Broadcast Details and Time Zones
The Dodgers-Reds game will air nationally on MLB Network in the United States. Local Los Angeles coverage will be provided by SportsNet LA. For international viewers, the game and pregame ceremony will stream live on MLB.tv. In South Korea, SPOTV will broadcast the event. Due to time differences, the pitch will air in the early morning hours for some regions and the next day in others.
Here are the key airtimes across global time zones:
- ยท Pacific Time (PT): 7:10 PM on August 25, 2025
- ยท Mountain Time (MT): 8:10 PM on August 25, 2025
- ยท Central Time (CT): 9:10 PM on August 25, 2025
- ยท Eastern Time (ET): 10:10 PM on August 25, 2025
- ยท Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 2:10 AM on August 26, 2025
- ยท Indian Standard Time (IST): 7:40 AM on August 26, 2025
- ยท Korea Standard Time (KST): 11:10 AM on August 26, 2025
- ยท Japan Standard Time (JST): 11:10 AM on August 26, 2025
- ยท Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 12:10 PM on August 26, 2025
Indian fans can watch the game live on Jiostar OTT or FanCode at 7:40 AM IST on August 26. The global broadcast arrangements highlight the worldwide interest in V’s appearance, reflecting BTS’s immense international fanbase.
Fan Reactions and Special Projects
Fans of V, known as ARMY, have organized large-scale projects to celebrate his appearance. An aerial banner measuring 60 meters will fly above Dodger Stadium for four hours before the game, from 14:50 to 18:10 Pacific Time. The banner, organized by China V Bar, carries the message: “One & only my superstar V โค๏ธ China V Bar.” Additionally, ten billboards featuring V’s images will be displayed along routes to the stadium, and ribbon ads with messages will appear inside the venue during the game.
The fan campaign theme, “ALL EYES ON V,” is led by Korean fanbases V INSIDE and KTH Supporters Korea, along with the global collective V Union. International fan groups from the UK, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Spain, and the U.S. have also contributed to the projects. A pre-game fan meet-up is scheduled at Jumson Korean Restaurant near Dodger Stadium from 2 PM to 9 PM PT, offering custom merchandise and live viewing for those without tickets.
“Taehyungโs fanbases are the best, most professional and educated people everrrr. They indeed reflect Taehyung!! Iโm gonna cry, I am so emotional. They always do these meaningful projects for Taehyunggg๐ญ,” an X user commented .
Another fan added, “I hope Taehyung gets to see just how deeply he’s loved. We waited 2 years for him, and weโre still here โ we always will be. He needs to know we ain’t going anywhere ๐” .
Merchandise and Cultural Impact
Custom Dodgers merchandise featuring V’s name and the number 95, representing his birth year, has seen high demand. Videos online show fans purchasing jerseys and caps with his name at the Dodgers Store, with staff noting they have fulfilled multiple requests for the same items. This surge in merchandise popularity mirrors the overall excitement surrounding his appearance.
V’s ceremonial pitch is his second public event since completing military service, following his attendance at the Celine Spring 2026 runway show in Paris. BTS members have reunited in the U.S. to prepare for their group comeback in spring 2026, which will include a new album and a world tour. The group’s return is highly anticipated, with their first live album recently debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart.
How to Watch and Participate
For those attending the game, Dodger Stadium will open with standard entry procedures. Fans without tickets can join the pre-game hangout at Jumson Korean Restaurant, which is minutes away from the stadium. The event will include free merchandise giveaways and a communal viewing experience. For remote viewers, MLB.tv and local broadcasters will provide full coverage of the game and the ceremonial pitch.
The Dodgers’ official social media announcement read:
“ARMY, you ready? V will be at Dodger Stadium on 8/25 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch! ๐” .
This event is part of a broader trend of K-pop stars participating in sports ceremonies, highlighting the growing cultural exchange between entertainment and sports industries. V’s pitch is expected to draw millions of viewers globally, reinforcing the powerful connection between BTS and their diverse fanbase.
Also Read: BTS Vโs Fans Organize Massive Support Projects For His Dodgers First Pitch Event
