The K-pop landscape is heating up, and not just with comebacks. A surge in concert announcements is set to dominate the live music scene in 2026 and beyond, with BTS leading the charge and other major acts like TWICE and ONE OK ROCK already securing dates in key markets. The sheer scale of these tours is prompting comparisons to the recent frenzy surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, signaling a potentially record-breaking year for live entertainment.
BTS, arguably the biggest name in K-pop globally, officially announced a 2026-2027 world tour on . This marks the group’s first headline performances since their 2021-2022 “Permission to Dance on Stage” tour, and their return to music after a nearly four-year hiatus necessitated by mandatory military service for all seven members – RM, Jin, Jimin, V, Suga, Jung Kook, and j-hope. The tour kicks off in South Korea in and is slated to include over 70 dates across Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and Europe, extending into .
The return of BTS isn’t just a musical event; it’s a significant economic driver. Billboard estimates the group and their label, BigHit/Hybe, stand to generate over $1 billion (£740m) from the reunion, encompassing concert revenue, merchandise, licensing, album sales, and streaming. This figure underscores the band’s immense global reach and the pent-up demand from their dedicated fanbase, known as ARMY. Presale ticket access will be granted to ARMY Membership holders registered on Weverse on , with a general sale following on .
The anticipation surrounding BTS’s comeback is palpable, particularly given the logistical complexities of coordinating a tour of this magnitude. The group will be performing on a 360-degree, in-the-round stage, a design choice intended to maximize seating capacity at each venue. Dates have already been confirmed for cities including London (two nights at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on ), Tokyo, Munich, Sydney, and Los Angeles, with further dates planned for Japan and the Middle East in 2027.
BTS isn’t the only K-pop act bringing the energy to international stages. TWICE also has tour dates scheduled for 2026, contributing to the growing influx of K-pop performances worldwide. While specific details regarding TWICE’s tour weren’t available, their inclusion in the wave of concert announcements highlights the genre’s continued global expansion.
The demand for these concerts is already proving intense. Japanese rock band ONE OK ROCK recently completed two sold-out shows at Taipei’s Taipei Arena, prompting an immediate add-on performance due to overwhelming fan demand. This mirrors the experience of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in 2022, where ticket sales were notoriously competitive, and underscores the challenges fans face in securing access to highly anticipated events. The success of ONE OK ROCK’s Taipei shows demonstrates the appetite for live music experiences, particularly among dedicated fanbases willing to travel and invest in seeing their favorite artists perform.
The situation with ONE OK ROCK also highlights the evolving dynamics of concert ticketing. The band’s quick response to fan demand with an additional show suggests a growing awareness among artists and promoters of the need to adapt to real-time market conditions and prioritize fan access. The KKTIX platform, used for ONE OK ROCK’s Taipei concerts, reportedly experienced smooth operation, with some fans even finding tickets available after the initial rush, a positive sign for the ticketing industry.
The surge in concert announcements, led by BTS and supported by acts like TWICE and ONE OK ROCK, signals a robust period for the live music industry. The challenges of the past few years, including pandemic-related disruptions, appear to be receding, replaced by a renewed enthusiasm for shared musical experiences. The comparison to the Taylor Swift phenomenon suggests that 2026 could be a landmark year for concert attendance and revenue, with K-pop playing a pivotal role in driving that growth. The industry will be watching closely to see if it can meet the demand and deliver seamless experiences for fans eager to reconnect with their favorite artists.
