BTS Announces Major World Tour and New Album Following Military Service Hiatus

K-pop supergroup BTS, after a nearly four-year hiatus due to mandatory military service in South Korea, is set for a major comeback in 2026. All seven members completed their service, with staggered enlistments minimizing the time the full group was absent. They reunited last summer and have now confirmed a new album and a massive 79-date world tour starting in April in South Korea, including two shows at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 6 and 7. This marks their first extensive global tour since the Permission to Dance on Stage series in 2021-2022, which was limited by the pandemic. During the hiatus, fans (known as ARMY) were sustained by successful solo projects, such as Jung Kook’s ‘Seven,’ which exceeded 2.5 billion streams, and other individual activities like tours and live streams. Although group streams on Spotify declined in 2023 and 2024, they stabilized in 2025, with expectations of a surge in 2026. Expert Dr. Felicity Davies highlights how the hiatus was managed strategically, maintaining fan engagement and contributing to the ongoing global Hallyu wave of Korean culture. Superfans express excitement over the band’s unique bond, work ethic, and the irreplaceable chemistry of the full group, emphasizing anticipation for live performances after years without UK shows.