The wait is finally, actually over. If you’ve been counting down the days since Jin first walked into that recruitment center in 2022, you can finally breathe. We have a date. A real one.
BTS is officially returning with a brand-new album on March 20, 2026.
This isn't just another "hiatus over" rumor or a vague "we're working on it" Weverse post. BigHit Music literally sent out handwritten letters to ARMY to ring in the new year, and the message was loud and clear. They’re coming back as a full septet—RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—for the first time in nearly four years.
Honestly, the music world hasn't felt the same without the full "OT7" energy. While the solo eras were incredible—shoutout to Jin's Echo and Hobi’s Hope on the Stage tour—nothing quite hits like the seven of them together.
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When does BTS comeback: The 2026 Timeline
The rollout is going to be fast. After the album drops in March, the group is diving straight into a massive 79-date world tour starting in April.
It's kinda wild to think that the last time we saw them together on a stadium stage was the Permission to Dance era. That feels like a lifetime ago. Back then, "military service" was this looming shadow. Now? It’s a rearview mirror situation. All seven members have completed their duties as of June 2025, giving them the back half of last year to hibernate in the studio and get this record right.
Key Dates for Your Calendar:
- January 15, 2026: Album pre-orders open (be ready, the servers will definitely struggle).
- January 22, 2026: ARMY Membership presales begin for the world tour.
- March 20, 2026: The official album release (1 PM KST / 11 PM ET).
- April 9, 2026: The world tour kicks off in Goyang, South Korea.
Why this album feels different
During a July 2025 livestream, the guys teased that this record is a "reset." They’re reportedly approaching it with the same mindset they had during their debut days. That’s a bold claim for a group that has already conquered the world twice over.
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But it makes sense. After 18 months of being "Private Kim" or "Corporal Jung," they’ve had a lot of time to think. RM mentioned in his letter to fans that he’s been "waiting more earnestly than anyone else." It’s not just a business move for HYBE—though let’s be real, the company’s stock is already jumping—it’s a creative rebirth.
The album is rumored to have 14 tracks, and according to Jimin, the recording was basically finished by November 2025. They’ve been sitting on this music, waiting for the right moment to let it out.
The 2026-2027 World Tour: A Massive Scale
If you think getting tickets for the Eras Tour was hard, brace yourself. This tour is touching five continents and 34 cities. They aren't just playing stadiums; they're doing multi-night residencies in places like Los Angeles, Chicago, and London.
They are also introducing a 360-degree "in-the-round" stage design. It's meant to maximize capacity because, let's face it, demand is going to be astronomical. One fan on Facebook joked that their "right kidney is waving" just to afford a seat. Honestly, same.
Where they are heading:
The tour starts in Korea and Japan before hitting North America in late April. They’ll spend the summer in Europe—Madrid, London, Paris—and then head to Latin America in October. 2027 will see them in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Addressing the Misconceptions
A lot of people thought the group might drift apart after their solo success. Suga investing $70 million in the Oakland Athletics or Jin lighting up the Empire State Building for his solo promo made it look like they were doing just fine on their own.
But the "BTS is over" narrative was always a bit of a reach. They’ve spent the last few months of 2025 living together again in LA and Seoul, working on this project. This isn't a "one-off" reunion for a quick cash grab. It's the start of their "Chapter 3."
What You Need to Do Right Now
- Update your Weverse Membership: If your ARMY membership expired while they were away, renew it now. You won't get into the January 22nd presale without it.
- Check your passport: If you’re planning to travel for a show, don't wait until March to realize your ID is expired.
- Start a "BTS Fund": Ticket prices haven't been released, but historical data suggests you'll need anywhere from $60 for nosebleeds to several hundred for VIP/Soundcheck.
- Prepare for the January 15th Pre-order: The album often comes with limited edition benefits (POBs) that sell out in minutes.
The road to 2026 has been long. We’ve had the solo albums, the Disney+ documentaries, and the endless "missing BTS" hours on Twitter. But the countdown has shifted from years to months, and soon, to weeks.
Stay tuned to official channels like Weverse and the 2026bts.com site for the specific venue announcements in your city. It’s finally happening.