BTS are back in playful mode, and this time they’ve brought pickleball along for the ride. The group’s much‑loved variety series, Run BTS!, is returning with fresh episodes, and the teaser has already given fans plenty to talk about.
Filmed in Toronto, the preview begins with a picnic scene—nostalgic, lighthearted, and full of the games the members used to play. From “speed walk” to “red light, green light,” it’s classic BTS chaos. But the real highlight comes when the seven dive into a pickleball tournament, complete with shouts, laughter, and the promise of punishment for the losers.
Pickleball Meets Pop Culture
Pickleball has been steadily growing worldwide, but BTS playing it on screen is something else entirely. Their influence stretches far beyond music, and by simply picking up paddles, they’ve turned into accidental ambassadors for the sport. Millions of fans who might never have heard of pickleball are now watching their idols smash shots across the court.
It’s a reminder of how culture spreads—sometimes not through official campaigns, but through moments of fun. BTS aren’t promoting pickleball directly, yet their presence on court is enough to spark curiosity and excitement. For a sport still carving out its place globally, that’s priceless exposure.
The timing couldn’t be better. BTS have just wrapped the North American leg of their ARIRANG World Tour, with South America next on the calendar. Their latest album, ARIRANG, has already topped the Billboard 200, staying there for 27 weeks. With momentum like that, every move they make is magnified.
So when they play pickleball—even in jest—it resonates. Fans see it, talk about it, and some will inevitably try it. That’s how niche sports break into the mainstream.
What’s Next
The first episode of this new Run BTS! era premieres on 6 October at 8 p.m. KST, with the second following on 11 October. Beyond the music and the tour, BTS have once again shown their knack for turning everyday activities into cultural moments.
Pickleball may not have asked for ambassadors, but it just got seven of the most influential ones in the world. And that could be the sport’s biggest win yet.
Watch the teaser in its entirety below:
