Global K-pop phenomenon BTS will launch their first world tour in four years this April, their label announced on Wednesday, marking a major comeback for the seven-member group following a lengthy break for mandatory military service.
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The tour will begin in the South Korean city of Goyang on April 9, with two additional shows in the city before moving to Japan, the United States and Europe. The group is scheduled to wrap up in Manila in March 2027. According to HYBE, the band’s agency, the 34-city, 79-show itinerary will be the largest single tour by a K-pop group in terms of total performances and global reach. Additional dates in Japan and the Middle East are expected to be revealed soon.
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The announcement follows news that BTS will release a new studio album in March — their first record in more than three years and their first since completing their national service, which put music activities on hold. Their last release, the anthology album Proof, became South Korea’s bestselling record of 2022.
BTS have risen to the top of the global music industry with hits such as Dynamite and Butter, and remain the most-streamed group on Spotify. They were also the first K-pop act to reach No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Artist 100 charts in the United States.
Fans, known collectively as ARMY, responded with excitement online, joking about fierce competition for tickets. “Army hunger games are about to start,” one fan wrote, while another quipped that their “right kidney is waving” to afford a seat.
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The tour is expected to deliver a significant boost to South Korea’s entertainment sector. Prior to their hiatus, BTS generated an estimated 5.5 trillion won ($3.7bn) annually for the country’s economy. HYBE shares rose around three percent on Wednesday, with analysts projecting a sharp increase in profits as global demand for BTS rebounds.