TWICE’s Big New York Week: UBS Arena + Tonight Show
TWICE just turned New York into the epicenter of K-pop. The JYP Entertainment group — performing as eight while Dahyun recovers from an ankle fracture — delivered three headlining concerts at UBS Arena on February 18, 20, and 21. They capped the week with a live performance of “Strategy” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 23.
It was a statement week on the THIS IS FOR World Tour, and it landed exactly the way TWICE intended: loud, polished, and impossible to ignore.
Three Nights at UBS Arena: What Happened Inside
Opening night on February 18 set the tone immediately. Eight members — Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu — took the 360-degree rotating stage to a packed Long Island crowd that blended two very different fan bases.
Longtime ONCE members filled sections with synchronized CANDYBONG lightsticks. Right beside them, a newer wave of fans showed up in Huntr/x merch and Saja Boys cosplay — converts who discovered TWICE through the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. Both groups roared with equal intensity all night.
The production matched the energy. A center-stage grid of nine kinetic platforms pushed TWICE skyward mid-choreography. Translucent LED cubes overhead created a surreal veil of shifting light. Pillars of smoke, confetti cannons, up to 20 backup dancers, and a red-hot live band all ran simultaneously across a set that stretched well past two hours.
“Strategy” Anchors the Setlist and the Fallon Stage
“Strategy” sat near the top of the four-act THIS IS FOR setlist, and for good reason. The December 2024 single became TWICE’s most globally significant track of 2025 after its inclusion on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. It charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 17 consecutive weeks and crossed 300 million Spotify plays by the time TWICE hit Fallon’s stage.
On The Tonight Show, the members delivered a tightly rehearsed “Strategy” performance styled in a hip aesthetic that leaned into what fans call their “hot girl” charisma. This marked TWICE’s third appearance on the program, following performances of “The Feels” in 2021 and “Set Me Free” in 2023.
The Fallon spot wasn’t just promotion. It was proof of positioning. TWICE used network television to remind a mainstream American audience that they aren’t just part of a viral movie — they’re a decade-deep global act with the touring infrastructure to match.
How KPop Demon Hunters Reshaped the Room
The cultural crossover between TWICE and KPop Demon Hunters played out visibly at UBS Arena. TWICE were already world-famous before the film. They had already mounted global tours, performed on late-night television, and become the gold standard for girl groups in South Korea. They were even among the real-life groups that inspired the creation of Huntr/x, the fictional group at the animated film’s core.
Still, the Elmont arena revealed just how much the Demon Hunters phenomenon expanded their Western audience. A significant portion of the crowd connected to TWICE primarily through the Netflix film. The evidence was everywhere — in the merch, the cosplay, and the explosive crowd response when Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung performed “Takedown” late in the show.
That unit stage moment was the night’s emotional peak. The trio reprised their version of the closing-credits diss track to the loudest crowd reaction of the evening. Real idols performing the song of their animated counterparts inside a global arena — it captured something bigger than any single concert.
Dahyun’s Absence and What It Means for the Tour
TWICE performed as eight across all three New York dates. Dahyun continues rehabbing a fractured ankle sustained during the U.S. leg of the tour. JYP Entertainment has not announced a specific return date.
Despite being down one member, the remaining eight showed no drop in intensity or stage coverage across the arena’s 360-degree layout.
Where TWICE Goes Next: Full 2026 Tour Dates
The THIS IS FOR World Tour continues through late April in North America before expanding to Asia and Europe. TWICE will become the first overseas artist to perform at Tokyo National Stadium on April 25, 26, and 28. The full tour spans 78 concerts across 43 global regions — their largest world tour ever.
Remaining North America Dates
- Feb 27 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
- Mar 3 — Montreal, QC — Centre Bell
- Mar 6–7 — Hamilton, ON — TD Coliseum
- Mar 27–28 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center
- Mar 31 — Charlotte, NC — Spectrum Center
- Apr 3–4 — Boston, MA — TD Garden
- Apr 6–7 — Chicago, IL — United Center
- Apr 10 — Detroit, MI — Little Caesars Arena
- Apr 12 — Saint Paul, MN — Grand Casino Arena
- Apr 14 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
- Apr 17–18 — Austin, TX — Moody Center
Asia Dates
- Mar 20–22 — Taipei, Taiwan — Taipei Dome
- Apr 25–26, 28 — Tokyo, Japan — Tokyo National Stadium
Europe Dates
- May 9 — Lisbon, Portugal — MEO Arena
- May 12 — Barcelona, Spain — Palau Sant Jordi
- May 16–17 — Paris, France — Accor Arena
- May 20 — Turin, Italy — Inalpi Arena
- May 23 — Berlin, Germany — Uber Arena
- May 26 — Cologne, Germany — LANXESS Arena
- May 30–31 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — Ziggo Dome
- Jun 3–4 — London, UK — The O2
Tickets for all remaining dates are available through Ticketmaster. Several shows — including Boston, Detroit, Saint Paul, and Denver — mark the first K-pop arena concerts ever held in those cities.
FAQ
Is Dahyun performing on the TWICE 2026 tour?
Dahyun is not currently performing. She withdrew from North American tour dates due to a fractured ankle sustained during the U.S. leg. JYP Entertainment has not confirmed a return date.
What song did TWICE perform on The Tonight Show in February 2026?
TWICE performed “Strategy” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 23, 2026. It was their third appearance on the program.
How long is a TWICE THIS IS FOR concert?
Based on shows through the North American leg, concerts run approximately two and a half to three hours. The four-act setlist typically includes 30-plus songs, solo stages for each member, and a unit performance of “Takedown.”
What is the connection between TWICE and KPop Demon Hunters?
TWICE’s single “Strategy” appeared on the soundtrack to Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung also recorded “Takedown” for the closing credits. TWICE were among the real-life K-pop groups that inspired the fictional group Huntr/x in the film.
Are TWICE concert tickets still available for 2026?
Tickets remain available for most upcoming dates via Ticketmaster. Several later stops on the North American leg still have inventory, and European dates are on sale now.