How Much Money Will HYBE Make With BTS’ Return, New Album Launch And World Tour

After a three-year hiatus, the Korean supergroup BTS, aka Bangtan Sonyeondan, is soon returning to the music scene with a brand-new album. Their comeback, which might happen sometime in the first half

of 2026, could give their parent company HYBE, led by Bang Si Hyuk, a massive financial boost. The members, RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, announced their hiatus in 2022 to complete their military service.

Following the completion of the mandatory services of all the members by June this year, BTS reunited on July 1 and promised their fans a new album by spring 2026 and a world tour. According to a report by Billboard, the group’s upcoming activities could generate over $1 billion in revenue for HYBE through concerts, merchandise, album sales, and streaming over a 12-month time period.

Ticket Sales For BTS’ Tour Could Generate $664 Million In Revenue

BTS’ comeback tour is expected to bring the most money. Hyundai Motor Securities analyst Kim Hyun Yong estimated that the tour, comprising around 65 shows, could bring 60,000 fans per show. For comparison, BTS had 62 shows across countries as part of their 2018-2019 Love Yourself World Tour. Now, given the group’s increased popularity, venues for the 2026 tour could be even bigger, and ticket prices are also expected to rise. It is being estimated that a total of 3.9 million tickets could be sold, which would generate $664 million in gross sales.

Merchandise Sales Can Go Up To $352 Million

Besides ticket sales, merchandise will also be a huge contributor. According to atVenue’s 2025 Fans Spending report, a K-pop fan typically spends about $50 on merchandise at concerts, and about 37 per cent of fans buy merchandise. Moreover, online sales and licensing could also add more to the revenue. Analysts predict that merchandise revenue could reach somewhere close to $352 million globally.

Album Sales And Streaming Revenue Could Generate Over $110 Million

A new album could also bring strong sales for the company, as BTS’ last album, Proof, sold over 4 million units all over the world. If their next release matches this, with an average price of $20 per album, HYBE could easily earn around $80 million. Apart from this, streaming revenue is another key factor. Given the group’s previous numbers, the new album’s streams are expected to generate around $33 million. Adding all the factors, the potential revenue is estimated at $1.05 billion. While HYBE won’t receive the full amount, BTS’ return is expected to have high profit margins for the company.