BTS has become the first group in the world to surpass 10 billion Spotify streams in a single year, with their 2026 album ARIRANG contributing more than half of that total.
BTS continues to turn an extraordinary year into a record-breaking one. On October 16, BigHit Music announced that the seven-member group had accumulated more than 10 billion streams on Spotify in 2026, setting a new milestone for groups on the global music streaming platform.
The achievement puts BTS in a category previously reached by major solo artists, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny. However, BTS is the first group to cross the 10-billion mark within a single calendar year.
ARIRANG Surpasses 5 Billion Spotify Streams
Released in March 2026, BTS's fifth studio album, ARIRANG, has been the biggest driving force behind the group's streaming success.
As of October 14, the album had surpassed 5 billion cumulative Spotify streams, making it the most-streamed album released in 2026 on the platform at that point.
That total was approximately 2 billion streams higher than the figure reported for Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album, which ranked second among albums released this year.
BTS's overall Spotify streams have also increased dramatically. The group recorded approximately 4.5 billion streams in 2025, meaning their 2026 total represents an increase of around 122%.
BTS's Daily Streams Soared After ARIRANG Release
The impact of ARIRANG was especially evident on its release day.
Before the album arrived, BTS was recording approximately 23 million Spotify streams per day. On March 20, the group's daily total surged to around 130 million streams, demonstrating the enormous anticipation surrounding their new music.
The album also made an immediate impact on Spotify's global charts. All 14 tracks simultaneously occupied the top 14 positions on the platform's Daily Top Songs Global chart.
Its title track, “SWIM,” recorded approximately 14 million streams on its first day, becoming the highest-streamed song released in 2026 on Spotify in a single day, according to the reported figures.
These milestones helped establish ARIRANG as one of the defining releases of BTS's year.
BTS Adds Another Honor With MTV VMAJ Artist of the Year
The Spotify milestone is not BTS's only major achievement this month.
On October 14, BTS was announced as the Artist of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Japan (VMAJ).
The Japanese edition of the MTV Video Music Awards recognizes achievements in music and music videos. Although the winners were announced in advance, the official ceremony is scheduled for October 29 at Tokyo Dome in Japan.
The honor adds another major recognition to a year in which BTS has returned to the global stage with new music and an international tour.
The ARIRANG World Tour Continues Across Latin America
BTS is currently promoting ARIRANG through its world tour, which spans multiple regions, including Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America.
During October, the group is visiting several Latin American cities, including Bogotá in Colombia, Lima in Peru, Santiago in Chile, and Buenos Aires in Argentina, before heading to São Paulo, Brazil, at the end of the month.
The tour is expected to continue into 2027, with additional stops in Asia and Australia.
As BTS brings ARIRANG to audiences around the world, the group's streaming numbers reflect the reach of its music beyond the concert venues. The combination of a successful album, record-breaking daily streams, and major international recognition has made 2026 another landmark year for the group.
BTS and ARMY Make Streaming History Together
Surpassing 10 billion Spotify streams in a single year is a historic milestone for BTS and a remarkable achievement for a group with a global fanbase spanning generations and countries.
With ARIRANG alone contributing more than 5 billion streams, the album has become central to BTS's musical comeback in 2026.
As the world tour continues, fans will be watching to see how far the group's numbers can climb before the year ends.
Which ARIRANG track have you streamed the most in 2026? Share your favorite BTS song in the comments!