Six years and an entire military service later,BTShas returned to its Army fanbase with new music.
The global K-pop juggernaut dropped its 14-track album titled "ARIRANG" Friday, March 20, ahead of aworld tour across 34 regions, including 10 cities in the United States. The new project explores themes of connection, distance, and reunion. "ARIRANG," named after the traditional Korean folk song, infuses hip-hop and Korean folk music in BTS' most experimental project to date. The album's release was accompanied by the new single "Swim."
The supergroup has yet to release a full-length studio album since "Be" in 2020, though they shared an anthology project called "Proof" in 2022.
They're set to perform "ARIRANG'" tracks in their first live performance in years at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, March 21, and the performance will stream live on Netflix. A feature-length documentary titled "BTS: The Return" will join Netflix's catalog on March 27, chronicling the "Dynamite" artist's long-awaited return.
BTS is back! The K-pop supergroup comprised (from left) of V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope will head out on a world tour in 2026, stopping in several U.S. cities. The group has taken the genre (and the global charts) by storm over the last decade. Their fans, called the Army, have supported the performers from their 2013 origins through their mandatory military service to their impending sixth album.
Here's a look back at some of BTS' most memorable moments, starting with their Grammys appearance in April 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
BTS members RM plays the saxophone while V looks on, holding flower bouquets at an outdoor sporting facility in Chuncheon on June 10, 2025, after their release from 18 months of South Korean military service." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Prior to their multi-year hiatus to accommodate members' military service, BTS was a hot act on the global stage. Here they perform during the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 21, 2021, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Butter," the K-pop group's second song performed fully in English, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart in May 2021, unseating Olivia Rodrigo's "Good 4 U." BTS became the seventh act to earn their first four Hot 100 No. 1 in less than a year, joining the likes of The Beatles and Mariah Carey, according to Billboard." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The music video for "Butter" was the biggest premiere in YouTube history, drawing in 3.9 million concurrent viewers for its May 21 premiere. BTS broke its own record that was set when "Dynamite" attracted 3 million concurrent viewers, according to the official YouTube blog." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
BTS members V, Jin, Jung Kook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope pose for a photo session during a press conference on for their album "BE (Deluxe Edition)" in Seoul on Nov. 20, 2020." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
In February 2020, BTS released "Map of the Soul: 7," hailed by both fans and critics. Los Angeles Times writer August Brown said it was "some of the most genre-invigorating music of their career."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
BTS headed out on 2026 tour: Look back at the band's milestone moments
BTS is back! The K-pop supergroup comprised (from left) of V, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, RM, Jimin and J-Hope will head out on a world tour in 2026, stopping in several U.S. cities.The group has taken the genre (and the global charts) by storm over the last decade. Their fans, called the Army, have supported the performers from their 2013 origins through their mandatory military service to their impending sixth album.Here's a look back at some of BTS' most memorable moments, starting with their Grammys appearance in April 2022.
Devoted fans had to survive a BTS drought when several members of the band were enlisted in mandatory military service. Jin, the group's oldest member, began his service in December 2022 and was discharged in 2024. By June 2025, J‑hope, RM, V, Jimin and Jung Kook had also completed their service.
Advertisement
In South Korea, all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 28 must serve between 18 to 21 months in the military or social service, though the law was adjusted in 2020, allowing the K-pop stars to delay their service until age 30.
In 2022, Suga said the group was going into a hiatus, though Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind the group, later rejected the statement, saying "BTS are not taking a hiatus" but clarified that "members will be focusing more on solo projects at this time." All seven members have since released music as solo artists, but "ARIRANG" is their first joint venture since.
Where in the US are BTS touring?
The Korean boy band will return to the United States for two shows in Tampa, Florida, in late April, before heading to Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland.
They have two nights in Chicago in August and four nights in Los Angeles in September. Outside the U.S., the BTS army can see their idols in Mexico City, Toronto, as well as cities in Asia, Latin America, Europe and Australia.
The veteran British glam rockers will be asking Las Vegas, "Do you wanna get rocked?" at their new dozen-concert residency at Caesars Palace. Singer Joe Elliott told USA TODAY the band wants to keep some "mystique" about show plans but, "Vegas will have a new concept."Dates: Feb. 3 - Feb. 28 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Americana sweetheart is supporting her eighth studio album – and first solo project in four years – "Returning to Myself," released in October. She'll be joined by The Head and the Heart.Dates: Feb. 10 (Philadelphia) – March 6 (San Francisco). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The hip-hop maven embarks on her Little Miss Drama Tour – its name drawn from her second studio album that released in September – for more than 30 dates. It's her first tour in six years and her first arena outing.Dates: Feb. 11 (Palm Desert, California) – April 18 (Atlanta). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Mayhem Ball was unequivocally the most spectacular road show of 2025. The indefatigable Gaga is back for a second North American leg that will hit some new cities (Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC) and return her captivating pop-opera to others (Los Angeles, New York) because of insatiable demand.Dates: Feb. 14 (Glendale, Arizona) – April 13 (New York). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following the major success of his fourth studio album, "Wishbone," which bore the dreamy "This Song" and "Vodka Cranberry," the sensitive singer-songwriter will circle North American arenas with Esha Tewari before heading to Europe and Australia.Dates: Feb. 19 (Minneapolis) – March 20 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following the recent release of his sixth album, "With Heaven on Top," the alt-country singer-songwriter will launch another slate of stadium shows to promote the 25-song effort. He's also tapped a heady supporting cast: Kings of Leon and Ben Howard, Alabama Shakes and Caamp.Dates: March 7 (St. Louis) - Oct. 10 (Auburn, Alabama). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Country megastar Combs has produced a stadium-sized career, and he'll fill those venues on his My Kinda Saturday Night Tour, which kicks off the day after his new album, "The Way I Am," arrives. Combs tapped guest performers – Dierks Bentley, The Script, Thomas Rhett, Thelma & James, among others – for various dates.Dates: March 21 (Las Vegas) – June 6 (Toronto). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The forthright British songbird hasn't toured North America since 2018, and is only doing nine concerts before heading back to the U.K. this summer. But she'll make them memorable. Her Lily Allen Performs West End Girl will find her performing her intense new album, "West End Girl," start to finish.Dates: April 3 (Chicago) – April 28 (San Francisco). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Florence Welch – an ever-captivating and a dazzling stage presence – will lead her band through a romp inspired by her sixth album, "Everybody Scream," released on Halloween. She'll be joined by Rachel Chinouriri, Sofia Isella and other artists on varying dates.Dates: April 8 (Minneapolis) – May 20 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's been four years since Lovato's last major outing and she's primed to bring her nearly two decades (!) of hits to 23 cities. Touring behind last year's "It's Not That Deep," which marked her return to pop, Lovato will welcome ADÉLA as her special guest.Dates: April 8 (Charlotte) – May 25 (Houston). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
While he hasn't headlined a tour since 2017, the song-and-dance man has hardly been idle. He's helmed a popular Vegas residency and club opening as well as moonlighting with Silk Sonic and appearing on hits with Lady Gaga and Rosé. His grand return for The Romantic Tour – his fourth album, "The Romantic," – will play nearly 70 stadium shows across North America and Europe and was met with instant sellouts. Dates: April 10 (Las Vegas) – Oct. 17 (Vancouver). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Cue the eardrum-shattering screams because the K-pop conquerors are back. A 70-plus date world tour featuring an in-the-round stage should sate the BTS Army, especially since it's the group's first headline tour since 2022. A new record, "Arirang," is also expected this year.Dates: April 25 (Tampa) - Sept. 6 (Los Angeles). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The effervescent ska-punk of the "Tragic Kingdom" quartet will meld with the remarkable technology at Sphere Las Vegas for what is sure to be a colorful show. Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young have 18 performances set at the venue to host their cache of '90s and '00s smashes. Dates: May 6 - June 13 (Las Vegas). More here. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The voice behind the ubiquitous "Ordinary" released his full-length debut album, "You'll Be Alright, Kid," in July (with Jelly Roll and Rosé popping on a couple of songs). He'll parlay his burgeoning success on his Little Orphan Alex Live tour with a run of 28 North American amphitheaters and arenas.Dates: May 25 (Nashville) - July 28 (Cheyenne, Wyoming). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The Australian pop-rockers show their sense of humor on new album "Everyone's a Star!" with the single "Boyband." They'll take their polished riffs to Europe in the early part of the year before hitting more than three dozen arenas and amphitheaters in North America.Dates: May 29 (Uncasville, Connecticut) - Aug. 28 (Mountain View, California). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The global superstar broke through in a major way with "LUX," her fourth full-length album released in November featuring the London Symphony Orchestra, Björk, Carminho and Estrella Morente, among others. Her LUX Tour 2026 will play 42 arena shows in 17 countries. Dates: June 4 (Miami) - July 3 (San Diego). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's a long way from "Wicked" as Grande embarks on her first tour in six years. The album she's ostensibly supporting, "Eternal Sunshine," arrived in March 2024, but Grande spent the last couple of years exploring her acting interests and hinted that she will return to that path following this excursion.Dates: June 6 (Oakland, California) – Aug. 6 (Chicago). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Even Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were surprised at the demand that met the first seven dates they announced on their Fifty Something tour, their first since 2015. Modern Drummer Hall of Famer Neil Peart died in 2020, but the Canadian rockers will be joined by Anika Nilles behind the kit.Dates: June 7 (Los Angeles) – Dec. 17 (Vancouver). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Following a spate of shows in Australia and South America, the affable Sheeran will land in North America for a stadium run. Sheeran is rocking a pink-hued motif for the tour in support of his eighth studio album, "Play," which spawned the hits "Azizam," "Sapphire" and "Camera."Dates: June 13 (Glendale, Arizona) – Nov. 7 (Tampa). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Jon Bon Jovi was extremely candid in the band's fulfilling Hulu documentary, "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story," about the devastating vocal cord issues that robbed him of his singing voice. But following surgery and intensive rehab, one of rock's greatest frontmen and the rest of his Jersey boys are ready to rock again with a nine-show residency at Madison Square Garden before heading to Ireland and the U.K. for another handful of shows.Dates: July 7-26 (New York). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
It's been quite the whirlwind year for the young London native, whose second album, "The Art of Loving," earned her a best new artist Grammy nomination and commandeered radio with the soulful pop of "Man I Need" and "Nice to Each Other." Her The Art of Loving Live tour is her most ambitious as she plays all arenas for the first time.Dates: July 10 (San Francisco) – Aug. 29 (Austin, Texas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Two decades after steamrolling through venues with their Carnival of Sins tour, Motley Crue is resurrecting the explosive production for its 20th anniversary as well as the 45th anniversary of the band. The Return of the Carnival of Sins – featuring updated staging and set lists – will hit 33 cities with Tesla and Extreme in tow.Dates: July 17 (Burgettstown, Pennsylvania) – Sept. 26 (Ridgefield, Washington). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The band – Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, Slash, Dizzy Reed, Richard Fortus, Isaac Carpenter and Melissa Reese – have returned to their road warrior ways following a 2025 world tour and a 2026 that finds them roaring through South America and Europe before journeying to North America. Among GNR's dates is a Sept. 5 return to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, their first time playing the stadium in more than 30 years. Dates: July 24 (Raleigh, North Carolina) – Aug. 22 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Their last stadium tour, the 2023-24 Everything or Nothing at All run, sold out stadiums worldwide. The Foos – Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee and Ilan Rubin – will go another round in 12 (for now, they say) North American cities this summer. Queens of the Stone Age will open all dates except Sept. 12 in Fargo, North Dakota.Dates: Aug. 4 (Toronto) – Sept. 26 (Las Vegas). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
The celebration continues for the emo-punk-rockers, who last year kickstarted an anniversary tour to revisit their standout 2006 rock opera, "The Black Parade." Skits and costumes are prevalent as the band – Gerard Way, Ray Toro, Mikey Way and Frank Iero – tears through their landmark album in full before a second set of ragers.Dates: Aug. 9 (New York) – Oct. 31 (Hollywood, California). More here." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Who is on tour in 2026? Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, BTS, Rush and more
The veteran British glam rockers will be asking Las Vegas, "Do you wanna get rocked?" at their new dozen-concert residency at Caesars Palace. Singer Joe Elliotttold USA TODAYthe band wants to keep some "mystique" about show plans but, "Vegas will have a new concept."Dates:Feb. 3 - Feb. 28 (Las Vegas).More here.
BTS world tour 2026 dates
April 9, Apr 11-12 — Goyang, South Korea
April 17-18 — Tokyo
April 25-26 — Tampa, Florida
May 2-3 — El Paso, Texas
May 7, May 9-10 — Mexico City
May 16-17 — Stanford, California
May 23-24, May 27 — Las Vegas
June 12-13 — Busan, South Korea
June 26-27 — Madrid
July 1-2 — Brussels
July 6-7 — London
July 11-12 — Munich
July 17-18 — Paris
Aug. 1-2 — East Rutherford, New Jersey
Aug. 5-6 — Foxborough, Massachusetts
Aug. 10-11 — Baltimore, Maryland
Aug. 15-16 — Arlington, Texas
Aug. 22-23 — Toronto
Aug. 27-28 — Chicago
Sept. 1-2, Sep 5-6 — Los Angeles
Oct. 2-3 — Bogotá, Colombia
Oct. 9-10 — Lima, Peru
Oct. 16-17 — Santiago, Chile
Oct. 23-24 — Buenos Aires
Oct. 28, Oct 30-31 — São Paulo
Nov. 19, Nov 21-22 — Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Dec. 3, Dec 5-6 — Bangkok
Dec. 12-13 — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Dec. 17, Dec. 19-20, Dec. 22 — Singapore
Dec. 26-27 — Jakarta, Indonesia
Contributing: Greta Cross and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:BTS 'ARIRANG' album arrives in triumphant glory after military hiatus
0 Comments