Group earns over $465m to lead global tours

2.31 million fans attend BTS performances

BTS performs during their world tour "Arirang" in Paris, France, in July. [Big Hit Music]
BTS performs during their world tour "Arirang" in Paris, France, in July. [Big Hit Music]

BTS has lived up to its reputation as the Beatles of the 21st century, shattering records in the global live concert market and redrawing the industry's competitive landscape.

According to Pollstar, a US concert industry trade publication, and Big Hit Music, BTS topped the global concert tour chart among the world's top 100 artists in the third quarter of 2026 — covering the period from Nov. 13, 2025 to Aug. 12, 2026 — demonstrating unrivaled box-office power.

Reunited as a full group after all members completed their mandatory military service, BTS staged 38 shows during the quarter as part of their large-scale world tour "Arirang," generating $465.8 million in ticket sales.

The figure surpasses the entire run of pop star Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour — last year's No. 1 with $407.6 million — and BTS achieved it in just one quarter.

The cumulative audience for BTS shows during the period reached 2,314,140. The single-venue record came at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where four concerts held from May 23 to May 28 drew 245,691 fans and generated $66.6 million in ticket sales alone. BTS also sold out four consecutive shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in early September.

BTS left the rest of the chart far behind, outpacing Latin pop star Bad Bunny (No. 2, $438.6 million), The Weeknd (No. 3, $261.4 million) and Lady Gaga (No. 4, $209.4 million). Girl group Twice also made a strong showing, entering the chart at No. 6 with $157.3 million in sales, underscoring the continued global reach of K-pop girl groups.

Joe Berchtold, president and chief financial officer of Live Nation, the world's largest concert promoter, said non-English-speaking artists now account for 30 percent of the global top 50 tours — a sign of a seismic shift in the music industry. BTS is leading that charge, setting historic records in the global live entertainment business.


shee@heraldcorp.com