BTS returns with their fifth studio album on March 20, 2026, reuniting all seven members after military service completion. This 14-track release follows Map of the Soul: 7 from February 2020 and the anthology Proof in June 2022.​
BigHit Music released the formal notice on Weverse dated December 31, 2025, followed by their detailed statement on January 5, 2026. The album stems from late 2025 production sessions, reflecting personal insights from RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook post-enlistment. No title has been announced.​
Release and Pre-Order Schedule
The album launches at 1 p.m. KST on Friday, March 20, 2026. Pre-orders begin January 16 at 11 a.m. KST through the new site 2026bts.com and partners like Weverse Shop. Global fans can access physical editions, digital versions, and bundles via standard retailers.​
Member Reunion Context
All members finished mandatory service by late 2025, with Jin discharged first in June 2024. This marks their first full-group studio album in over six years, shifting the focus from successful solo projects that topped worldwide charts.​
World Tour Announcement
BigHit will unveil world tour dates on January 14, 2026, at midnight KST. It follows their last major run, Permission to Dance on Stage, which concluded in Las Vegas in April 2022. Stadium-level shows across Asia, Europe, and North America are expected to align with album promotion.​
Early Fan Teasers
Speculation built from handwritten New Year’s letters dated “2026.3.20,” physically delivered to select fans via Weverse subscriptions, with digital versions promised later. Social media trends like #BTSComeback2026 surged after the Weverse notice, engaging ARMY globally.​
Industry Expectations
Reports from the Korea Times, Music Business Worldwide, and USA Today confirm BTS’s track record of six No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. K-pop market watchers anticipate strong sales and HYBE growth tied to this BTS March 20 album drop. Searches for “BTS new album 2026” have climbed sharply since the reveal.​
Cross-checked against Weverse’s primary source and outlets like ELLE and KED Global, every detail here aligns precisely, no speculation on unconfirmed timelines, like music videos, or exact search metrics. This BTS comeback in 2026 positions the group to dominate charts anew.
