BTS Announces Massive 2026 World Tour After Hiatus

After years of anticipation and a near four-year break, global K-pop phenomenon BTS is making a thunderous return to the world stage. The seven-member group, whose influence has transcended music and borders, has officially announced their 2026-2027 world tour, marking their first headline shows since the acclaimed 2021-22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour. Fans—known as ARMY—have been abuzz since the news broke, and with good reason: this tour is set to be BTS’s most ambitious yet, with over 70 dates spanning Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe, according to The Independent and SheKnows.

The excitement doesn’t end there. BTS’s fifth album, ARIRANG, is officially set for release on March 20, 2026, ending a musical drought that began when all seven members commenced South Korea’s mandatory military service. The group’s return has been highly anticipated, with fans eager to see RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook, and j-hope reunited on stage and in the studio. Their comeback single and the full album are expected to drop just weeks before the tour kicks off, adding to the feverish anticipation.

So, what does this world tour look like? The journey starts in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9, 2026, with additional dates in the city on April 11 and 12. From there, BTS will light up stadiums in Tokyo, Tampa, El Paso, Mexico City, Stanford, Las Vegas, and beyond, before winding through Europe with stops in Madrid, Brussels, London, Munich, and Paris. North America is getting a generous share of shows, with the group scheduled to perform in East Rutherford, Foxborough, Baltimore, Arlington, Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles—where fans will be treated to four separate concerts in early September. The tour then heads south to Bogota, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo, before jetting off to Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and finally wrapping up in March 2027 in Manila, Philippines.

According to SheKnows, the tour is expected to span 79 shows across 34 cities on five continents, making it the group’s longest tour to date. The magnitude of the event is not lost on fans, many of whom have already begun strategizing how to secure those coveted tickets. The demand is expected to be overwhelming, and with millions of ARMY members worldwide, tickets are likely to sell out within seconds.

For those hoping to score seats, timing and preparation are everything. Presale tickets are exclusively available to official ARMY fan club members on January 22 and 23, 2026. To participate, fans must register on HYBE’s Weverse platform and verify their membership by January 18 at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT). Once verified, members receive a nine-digit ARMY number beginning with “BA,” which serves as the presale code. For U.S., Canada, and Mexico shows, fans must use their US or GLOBAL Membership number, with the US number taking priority if both are held. For the UK and Europe, the GLOBAL Membership is required.

General ticket sales open to the public on January 24, 2026. However, presale times differ by city, so fans are advised to check their local schedules and log in 15 to 30 minutes before the sale begins. North American presale times, for instance, include Tampa at 9 a.m. on January 22, Mexico City at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on January 23, and major cities like Stanford, East Rutherford, and Chicago at 11 a.m. on January 22. Las Vegas, Baltimore, Toronto, El Paso, Foxborough, Arlington, and Los Angeles have their own specific times, reflecting the logistical complexity of such a massive global tour.

Ticket prices reflect the scale and demand of the event. As reported by SheKnows, some of the lowest-priced tickets start around $200, while premium seats can soar into the thousands, depending on the city and venue. Official sellers include Ticketmaster in the U.S. and Live Nation for other regions. For those seeking alternative options—or hoping for a last-minute bargain—resellers like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek are recommended. These platforms often see a flurry of activity closer to the concert dates, as fans who can no longer attend offload their tickets, sometimes below face value. However, fans are cautioned that waiting for last-minute deals is a risky game, especially for high-demand cities like Los Angeles, which hosts multiple shows and therefore might offer more opportunities for late buyers.

The logistics of the tour are impressive. Each city’s venue has been carefully selected to accommodate tens of thousands of fans. For example, the group will perform at iconic stadiums such as Tokyo Dome, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Stanford Stadium, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. European fans will see BTS at major venues in Madrid, Brussels, Munich, Paris, and more. South American stops include major cities like Bogota, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo, reflecting the group’s truly global reach.

The return of BTS is not just a musical event—it’s a cultural moment. Their hiatus, mandated by South Korea’s military service requirements, left a void in the global pop landscape. Rapper Suga was the last to complete his duties, serving as a social service agent due to a shoulder injury, while the remaining members fulfilled their army commitments. Their collective return, marked by a new album and a world tour, signals a new chapter for the group and their fans.

As for the setlist, details are being kept tightly under wraps. However, with a new album dropping just before the tour, fans can expect a mix of classic hits and fresh tracks from ARIRANG. If history is any guide, BTS will deliver a high-energy, visually stunning show that blends choreography, storytelling, and fan engagement in ways that only they can.

The anticipation is palpable. ARMY members worldwide are gearing up for what promises to be a historic run, not just for BTS but for the music industry as a whole. The blend of new music, long-awaited live performances, and the emotional weight of their return after military service makes this tour a must-see event.

With ticket sales set to open and the countdown to new music underway, the world is once again turning its eyes to BTS. For fans, the message is clear: get ready, because the boys are back, and they’re about to take over the world—one stadium at a time.