Since BTS’s full-group return after completing their military service at the end of June this year, not a single day has pαѕѕed without the media or social networks buzzing with news about them. Just a few days after their reunion, the group made a groundbreaking announcement about their upcoming group comeback in the spring of next year through an official livestream.
The members shared: “We’re planning to release a group album next spring. Since it’s a group album, it’ll contain everyone’s thoughts...We’re also preparing for a world tour — please look forward to it, because we’ll be meeting everyone all around the world.”
Following that announcement, numerous leaks and reports about their schedule began circulating in recent months. One of the clearest hints came directly from RM during his birthday livestream in early September, where he stated: "We will have the concerts. we're already having concert related meetings. Cause, next year's project will be our everything so we must prepare for it already. So we've been having meetings, preparing for the album, discussions on the styling, then our music."
In mid-October, FN News reported detailed information from a verified industry source: "BTS’ 2026 world tour is expected to last eight months, from May to December, with 65 performances and an au∂ιєnce of 4 million people. The average au∂ιєnce per show is expected to remain above 60,000. Operating profits are projected to rise to 100 billion won starting in Q2 next year, when the tour begins."
Shortly after, on October 27, Bloomberg reported globally that BTS is expected to make their comeback at the end of March 2026 and will hold a 65-show world tour to reconnect with fans across the globe. Bloomberg cited a source claiming that over 30 of those shows will take place in North αмєяι¢α.
However, when contacted, a BigHit Music representative declined to comment, stating: “No official decisions have been made yet regarding next year’s world tour schedule or comeback date.”
Even so, the mere rumors surrounding BTS’s full-group comeback and world tour were enough to send HYBE’s stock price skyrocketing — despite the ongoing controversy involving HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who is currently under investigation for alleged stock manipulation and violations of the Capital Markets Act.
Specifically, as reports about BTS’s reunion gained momentum, HYBE’s shares surged by 9.03% (26,000 KRW) as of 10:18 a.m., reaching 314,000 KRW per share, compared to the previous trading day. According to Mirae Asset Securities, among investors in the top 1% for investment returns over the past month, HYBE was the most-purchased stock as of 11 a.m. that day.
Park Sung-ho, an analyst at LS Securities, commented: “With BTS resuming their world tour, performance across all business sectors — including concerts, merchandise (MD), and content — is expected to improve significantly. HYBE is projected to be the most favored stock in the entertainment industry next year, with the strongest earnings momentum.”
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Securities had already identified HYBE as the top content-related stock in кσяєα since late September, raising its target price to 380,000 KRW. The firm cited two main growth drivers: BTS’s upcoming world tour and HYBE’s success in localizing Western artists.
Even Billboard joined the discussion, analyzing the mαѕѕive revenue potential of BTS’s 2026 return. According to its report, BTS could earn over USD 1 billion in just 12 months across four major categories: touring, album sales, merchandise & licensing, and streaming revenue.
Billboard projected that the 2026 world tour would be the group’s primary source of income. With 65 concerts across North αмєяι¢α, Europe, and Asia, averaging 60,000 attendees per show, BTS could sell up to 3.9 million tickets. At an average ticket price of USD 150, total ticket revenue would reach approximately USD 664.1 million — far surpαѕѕing Coldplay’s record-setting 2024 tour, which grossed USD 401 million from 3 million tickets.
Furthermore, with 47% of fans purchasing merchandise at concerts and 68% continuing to spend online or at pop-up stores, total merchandise revenue is estimated at USD 352.7 million. This figure includes official items, special editions, and licensed collaborations — clear evidence of the enormous purchasing power of the global ARMY community.
Another major contributor will be the new album, expected to sell at least 4 million copies within 12 months at an average of USD 20 per copy, yielding USD 80 million in revenue. Combined with streaming income — projected at 9.22 billion streams, equivalent to their 2022 level — BTS could earn an additional USD 33.2 million from digital platforms alone.
In total, the group’s four main revenue streams — concerts, merchandise & licensing, album sales, and streaming — are expected to generate around USD 1.05 billion.
BTS’s comeback not only promises record-breaking numbers but also revives the HYBE empire and the K-pop industry, which has shown signs of stagnation in recent years due to the absence of its leading superstars. More broadly, the return of the “21st-century pop icons” elevates South кσяєα’s standing on the global stage once again, reigniting international interest in Hallyu and the nation’s cultural influence.
Notably, BTS has been active for 13 years and just emerged from a three-year hiatus, yet their unmatched reputation, global influence, and superstar status remain entirely unshaken. BTS came back like they never left — proving once again why they’re untouchable!
