BTS’ V (Kim Taehyung) is set to bring K-pop star power to Major League Baseball as he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The global superstar will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium when the team hosts the Cincinnati Reds.
This will be his second official appearance after military discharge in June, and his first-ever appearance at an MLB event. V, along with BTS members, has already been spending most of the time in the United States since his military discharge to prepare for the group’s comeback.
Here’s everything baseball fans and ARMYs need to know about his first pitch for the LA Dodgers.
Game Time and Broadcast Details
V is set to step onto the mound at Dodger Stadium to deliver the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers versus Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday.
The matchup begins at 7:10 PM Pacific Time (11:10 AM Korea Standard Time on Monday, August 26). The ceremonial pitch will be delivered about ten minutes earlier, meaning fans should tune in by 7:00 PM PT (11:00 AM KST) to witness V’s moment.
The Dodgers confirmed the news through their official social media on August 17 (local time), posting, “ARMY, are you ready? V will be throwing out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on the 25th.” Within hours, the post went viral, gaining over 40,000 likes and 26,000 retweets.
Ticket Frenzy After Announcement
The announcement immediately triggered a ticketing rush, with several platforms experiencing temporary crashes due to overwhelming demand. Many seats sold out within hours as ARMY fans worldwide rushed to secure spots.
For those who might need a refresher, the Dodgers are already popular among Korean fans thanks to past stars like Park Chan Ho and Ryu Hyun Jin. The match on Sunday is expected to draw an even larger Korean and international audience with V’s appearance.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the matchup on MLB Network for national coverage in the U.S., on SportsNet LA for local viewers, and worldwide through MLB.tv streaming. For fans in Korea, the first pitch is expected around 11:00 AM KST on August 26.
Los Angeles Dodgers Longstanding Korean Connection
The Los Angeles Dodgers have long embraced Korean culture. Pitching legend Park Chan Ho became the first South Korean-born player in Major League Baseball when he debuted with the Dodgers in 1994. Later, pitcher Ryu Hyun Jin also shone with the team from 2013 to 2019.
Currently, infielder Kim Hye Sung plays for the Dodgers. Attention is building over a possible meeting between him and V during the ceremonial event.
The team also has a tradition of inviting global Korean icons to the mound. Just two days after V’s appearance, Son Heung Min, the Korean soccer star now with Los Angeles FC (LAFC), will throw the ceremonial first pitch on August 27.
V Becomes Third BTS Member to Throw a First Pitch
V’s first pitch at Dodger Stadium will not be the first for BTS as a group. Two other members have previously thrown opening pitches at baseball games.
Jungkook threw the first pitch at a Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) game in Seoul years earlier. Right after his military discharge, j-hope made his first public appearance at Korean Series Game 2 and threw his first ceremonial pitch for Kia Tigers.
However, this moment stands out as V will be the first from BTS to do so at a Major League Baseball game in the United States.
V’s Activities After Military Service
This ceremonial appearance comes just over two months after V’s completion of mandatory military service in June 2025. Since July, BTS members have been based in Los Angeles to work on new music. The group has already confirmed a large-scale world tour and comeback in spring 2026.
