2022 – Jin becomes the first BTS member to enlist in South Korea’s mandatory military service, marking the start of the group’s multi‑year hiatus[4].

June 2024 – Jin completes his service and is discharged, becoming the earliest returning member and paving the way for the staggered enlistments of his bandmates[4].

June 2025 – Suga finishes his alternative social‑service duties after a shoulder injury, becoming the last member to return to civilian life and clearing the path for a full‑group reunion[6][5].

2025 – All seven BTS members finish their mandatory military service, ending the hiatus that began with Jin’s enlistment and allowing the group to plan a collective comeback[3][4][5].

Dec 6, 2025 – RM reports on Weverse that daily practice and content filming continue as BTS prepares a full‑group album and world tour for the next spring, noting past talks of disbandment but reaffirming their commitment[14].

Dec 21, 2025 – During a Weverse livestream, RM tells fans a “real big thing” is coming, while J‑hope calls the upcoming year “crucial” and the album enters a revision phase after recording was finished months earlier[13].

Jan 1, 2026 – BigHit Music confirms a full‑group comeback on Mar 20, releasing a new album and announcing plans for a world tour, while RM’s New Year letter says he has “waited more desperately than anyone else” for the return[12].

Jan 2, 2026 – “Run BTS” tops iTunes charts in 61 countries as ARMY streams surge, underscoring fan excitement ahead of the March 20 album release and upcoming tour[11].

Jan 2, 2026 – BTS sets the comeback date for Mar 20, confirming that all members have completed military duties and that the new album will reflect each member’s thoughts, following a summer tease of a world tour for spring 2026[6].

Jan 13, 2026 – BTS unveils a 79‑date world tour beginning in April in South Korea and announces two London shows on Jul 6‑7 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; UK fan Ashia says she will travel across countries to secure tickets, highlighting fan devotion[1].

Jan 13, 2026 – The agency details a 360‑degree, in‑the‑round stage for the tour, projects the reunion could generate over $1 billion across concerts, merchandise and streaming, and notes the new album, recorded in Los Angeles, will drop on Mar 20[2].

Jan 13, 2026 – BTS announces a 34‑region world tour that will conclude in Manila in Mar 2027, mentions Hybe’s legal battle with NewJeans, and cites Berklee’s Ray Seol saying BTS remains the engine of K‑pop’s global growth[3].

Jan 13, 2026 – The 2026‑27 tour schedule lists more than 70 dates, with an ARMY presale on Jan 22‑23 via Weverse and a general sale on Jan 24, signaling the first major ticketing window for fans[5].

Jan 13, 2026 – BTS confirms the tour will feature 79 shows across 34 regions, opening with three Goyang concerts on Apr 9, 11, 12 and Tokyo dates on Apr 17‑18, and reiterates that the March 20 album will “reflect each member’s thoughts”[7].

Jan 13, 2026 – Ticketing details require fans to register for ARMY Membership by Jan 18 and match their Weverse and Ticketmaster emails, ensuring a controlled presale process for the massive tour[8].

Jan 15, 2026 – BTS reveals the album title “ARIRANG” for the Mar 20 release, and Target announces exclusive preorder editions including ten vinyl variants and collectible photocards, launching at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday[4].

Jan 22‑23, 2026 – ARMY members with verified Weverse accounts access the presale for select shows, demonstrating the fan‑centric ticketing strategy for the world tour[5][7][8].

Jan 26, 2026 – BigHit Music reports that all tickets for the 41 North American and European concerts sell out within days of the Jan 24 general sale, prompting the addition of extra shows in Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas[9].

Mar 20, 2026 – BTS releases its fifth studio album “Arirang”, the first full‑group record since 2022’s Proof, and the album’s launch precedes the world tour kickoff[4][9][12].

Mar 21, 2026 – BTS holds a free outdoor “comeback” performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, celebrating the album release and re‑engaging the domestic fanbase[9].

Apr 9, 2026 – The “Arirang” tour launches at Goyang Sports Complex with three hometown shows, marking the start of the largest K‑pop tour in history[2][9][10].

Apr 11‑12, 2026 – BTS continues its Korean leg with additional Goyang concerts, reinforcing the home‑country kickoff before heading abroad[1][10].

Apr 17‑18, 2026 – BTS performs two shows in Tokyo, expanding the Asian leg of the tour shortly after the Korean opening[1][7].

Apr 25, 2026 – The North American leg begins in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, with the tour set to visit 11 other U.S. cities and later Europe, illustrating the global scope of the comeback[9][10].

Jun 12‑13, 2026 – BTS stages two concerts in Busan to coincide with the group’s debut anniversary, adding a domestic celebration to the tour itinerary[10].

Jul 6‑7, 2026 – BTS headlines Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for two nights, delivering the first London shows of the tour and underscoring the group’s sustained international demand[1][2].

2026‑2027 – The tour proceeds through multiple continents, slated to conclude in Manila in Mar 2027, with additional dates in Japan and the Middle East pending announcement, confirming a two‑year global campaign[3][4].

Future outlook – Billboard projects the reunion tour could exceed $1 billion in total revenue, while Spotify expects a streaming surge in 2026 after declines during the hiatus, highlighting the commercial impact of BTS’s return[1][2].

Contextual note – Hybe’s operating profit dipped during BTS’s hiatus, and the company now relies on the tour and album to restore earnings; simultaneously, a legal dispute with NewJeans shakes the K‑pop industry, illustrating broader challenges facing the label[2][3].

Cultural impact – Experts cite the comeback as a milestone for Hallyu’s momentum, and the emergence of projects like the global girl group Katseye signals a multilingual, cross‑cultural evolution of K‑pop inspired by BTS’s worldwide success[1][3].