K‑pop superstars BTS have officially confirmed their long‑awaited return to group activities with a new album slated for March 20, 2026, marking their first full release in nearly four years since completing mandatory military service. The announcement, made by their label BigHit Music, also teased an ambitious world tour to support the upcoming project. 

According to the announcement, the yet‑to‑be‑named fifth studio album will drop at midnight (ET) on March 20 and is expected to offer a blend of introspective lyrics and fresh musical direction following the members’ solo ventures and hiatus. BTS reportedly began recording as a full group in the latter half of 2025, bringing together their unique perspectives into the 14‑track project. 

Details about the accompanying 2026 world tour are currently under wraps, but BigHit Music has promised fans a full schedule of dates and locations in the coming weeks — eagerly anticipated as BTS’s most expansive global trek since before their break. 

The comeback comes after each member — RM, Jin, Suga, j‑hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook — completed South Korea’s compulsory military service, a period that saw BTS pursue individual projects while weighing how to reunite as a group. Fans have already celebrated the return announcement via social posts and special countdown initiatives unveiled by the band. 

Stay tuned as more details about the album’s title, collaborations, track list, and international tour stops are expected to surface in the coming weeks.