Controversy Grows as Arashi’s Last Concert Allows Previous Winners to Apply

Fans Experience a Rollercoaster of Emotions

Arashi’s concert, ARASHI LIVE TOUR 2026 “We are ARASHI”, is set to kick off on March 13 this year, with the final show scheduled for May 31 at Tokyo Dome. As this will be the group’s last concert before officially ending activities, tickets were expected to be highly competitive. Recently, the results of the fan club lottery were announced, and as expected, many fans took to social media to report not winning tickets.

Debuting with a CD in 1999, Arashi grew into a national idol group with the original members. They went on hiatus at the end of 2020, but in May 2025 announced that the tour planned for the following spring would mark the official end of the group’s activities, sending shockwaves through the public.

“At the same time, even before the tour began, there was some negative news circulating. The Hokkaido shows are scheduled for March 13–15, but with late-term exams at Hokkaido University on the 12th, both Arashi fans arriving in Hokkaido for the concert and students coming for exams were expected to converge, raising concerns about transportation congestion and soaring accommodation costs. When fans discussed their schedules on social media, some netizens criticized the timing, suggesting that the tour dates should be changed,” said an entertainment writer.

Behind the scenes, fans were primarily concerned with whether they would be able to get tickets. The first fan club lottery for members ran from November 27 to December 4, 2025. When the results were announced on January 13, 2026, social media was filled with both jubilant and disappointed reactions.

Amid this, the annotated second lottery started accepting applications on January 14. On the STARTO ENTERTAINMENT Family Club website (the organization behind the fan club), it was announced: “For the annotated second lottery, please be aware that some performances may have partially obstructed views and apply accordingly.”

“Additionally, the second lottery application page warns, ‘If you won tickets in the first lottery, please do not select the same performances in the annotated second lottery.’ This caused controversy,” the source said.

Of course, there is no guarantee that members who already won in the first lottery will be able to secure tickets in the second lottery. Still, fans voiced strong opinions:

“Isn’t it strange that people who already won in the first lottery can still apply, while so many others didn’t win? Shouldn’t the first priority be giving tickets to those who lost?”

“Even if you won in the first round, you can still apply? Why? They should limit it to those who lost so more fans can attend.”

“There are many people who didn’t win, including myself. This is unfair. No one will accept this.”

“If the announcement had simply said, ‘First-round winners can apply, but those who lost will be prioritized,’ it wouldn’t have caused such an uproar. The organizers should consider this even now.”

The controversial annotated second lottery ended at noon on the 19th. At present, it is unclear whether there will be any other rescue measures before the tour begins, but fans who have supported Arashi for years can only hope for a fair and satisfying outcome.