BTS Announces 2026 World Tour and Album, Capping Historic Influence in Germany and Beyond
BERLIN, 22 January 2026 – The global music landscape is set for a seismic shift as K-pop titans BTS have officially confirmed their full-group return. Following the completion of mandatory military service by all seven members, the band announced a new album for March 2026 and an extensive world tour, rekindling the fervour of a global fanbase that has profoundly reshaped markets from Seoul to Berlin. In Germany, a nation where BTS became the first Asian act to score a number-one album, the announcement signals the return of a cultural phenomenon that transformed the local music scene.
The “Princes of Pop” and a Global Footprint
Dubbed the “Princes of Pop” by Time magazine and frequently compared to the Beatles for their cultural influence, BTS’s journey from a Seoul-based hip-hop group to the “biggest boy band in the world” is a story of record-breaking achievement. The septet—consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook—pioneered K-pop’s entry into Western mainstream consciousness. They hold the record for the most weeks at number one on the Billboard Social 50 chart (210 weeks) and were the first Korean act to top the Billboard Hot 100 with “Dynamite” in 2020. Academics and industry executives note their unique appeal spans generations, attracting both teenagers and listeners in their 50s and 60s.
BTS and the German Market: A Special Connection
Germany holds a distinct place in BTS’s international narrative. The group made history as the first Asian musical act to achieve a number-one album in the country with Map of the Soul: 7 in 2020. Their influence catalysed a visible K-pop boom, particularly in cities like Berlin and Frankfurt. A 2019 BTS concert at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena sold out in nine minutes, with fans travelling from across Europe to attend. Frankfurt, dubbed “Germany’s K-pop capital” by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, hosts the continent’s largest K-pop concert, KPOP.FLEX, and is home to Germany’s first dedicated K-pop store and magazine.
German fans, known as ARMY, are noted for their dedication. Fan projects, such as erecting congratulatory billboards for the group, and the proliferation of K-pop dance academies in cultural centres underscore a deep engagement that extends beyond music into language learning and cultural exchange.
Key Facts: BTS’s Chart History in Germany
| Milestone | Achievement |
|---|---|
| First Asian Act to Top German Albums Chart | Map of the Soul: 7 (2020) |
| Highest-Charting Single | “Butter” (Peak: #6), “Dynamite” (Peak: #8) |
| Longest-Charting Album | Map of the Soul: 7 (74 weeks on chart) |
| Major Solo Success | Jung Kook’s “Seven” peaked at #12 (2023) |
| Notable Fan Event | Berlin concert (Oct 2019) sold out in 9 minutes |
The Hiatus and Solo Pursuits
From late 2022 through to June 2025, BTS members sequentially fulfilled South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements, a decision that ended public debate about potential exemptions. The hiatus period saw significant solo activity, cementing each member’s individual artistry. Jung Kook, the group’s youngest member, led the charge with a record-shattering solo debut. His single “Seven” (feat. Latto) debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, and his album Golden became the first by a South Korean solo artist to sell over 2.5 million copies. Other members, including RM, Jimin, V, and J-Hope, also released critically acclaimed solo projects, demonstrating the group’s depth and versatility.
The 2026 Comeback: “ARIRANG” and World Domination
The long-awaited group reunion was formalised with an announcement on the fan platform Weverse. BTS confirmed their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, for release on 20 March 2026. This will be followed by a massive world tour starting in April 2026, slated to run into 2027 and include 79 shows across Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Australia—the most extensive tour ever planned by a South Korean artist. Two dates in London are confirmed for July 2026, with further European dates highly anticipated.
The band stated the album would reflect “each member’s thoughts and ideas” developed during their time apart, approached with the same mindset as their early career. Industry analysts predict the comeback will trigger a significant “BTS effect,” a term coined to describe the group’s ability to boost everything from music sales and tourism to brand endorsements and language enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did all BTS members finish military service?
The final member, Suga, was discharged on 21 June 2025, completing the service cycle for all seven members. Jin was discharged in June 2024, J-Hope in October 2024, and RM, V, Jimin, and Jung Kook in June 2025.
What is BTS’s connection to Germany?
BTS holds a pioneering status in Germany. They are the first Asian act to score a number-one album there, and their popularity was instrumental in mainstreaming K-pop, leading to sold-out arena shows, dedicated media, and Frankfurt being recognised as a central European hub for the genre.
What are the details of the new album and tour?
BTS’s fifth album, ARIRANG, is scheduled for release on 20 March 2026. A world tour in support of the album will begin in April 2026, spanning approximately 79 shows globally through to 2027.
How successful were BTS members as solo artists?
Extremely successful. Jung Kook’s solo debut broke multiple records, including simultaneous number-one debuts on major Billboard charts. Other members also achieved critical and commercial success with solo albums, EPs, and high-profile brand ambassadorships, proving their individual star power.