BTS has made history once again, setting a remarkable new milestone in the global music industry. The South Korean supergroup has become the first group in the world to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify within a single calendar year, marking another major achievement in its extraordinary international career.
According to the group’s agency, BigHit Music, BTS crossed the milestone on October 16, 2026. The achievement places the septet in a streaming category previously reached by major solo artists, including Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Bad Bunny, but never by a group.
The milestone is particularly striking considering the group’s annual Spotify streams more than doubled from approximately 4.5 billion in 2025. BTS’ music has continued to reach listeners around the world, with its long-awaited return as a complete group helping fuel the surge.
‘ARIRANG’ Fuels BTS’ Record-Breaking Year
A major force behind the achievement has been BTS’ fifth studio album, ARIRANG, released in March 2026. The album has accumulated more than five billion Spotify streams, becoming the platform’s most-streamed album among releases of the year.
The album marked BTS’ first full-group project in nearly four years, following the members’ completion of South Korea’s mandatory military service. Its release brought the seven members back together musically, creating a highly anticipated moment for fans across the globe.
The album’s impact was immediate. ARIRANG generated more than 110 million Spotify streams on its release day, while all 14 tracks occupied the top 14 positions on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart. The title track, “SWIM,” also recorded approximately 14 million streams on its first day.
A Milestone That Goes Beyond the Numbers
BTS’ 10-billion-stream achievement is more than a major streaming figure. It reflects the group’s lasting connection with listeners and the continued global reach of its music.
From its early years to its rise as one of the most influential acts in global pop, BTS has consistently expanded its audience across languages, cultures and continents. The group’s return with ARIRANG has added another chapter to that journey, demonstrating the scale of anticipation surrounding its music.
For ARMY, the milestone is also a celebration of the seven members’ return as a group and the support that has followed them throughout their career.
With more than 10 billion Spotify streams recorded in a single year, BTS has secured a place in music history as the first group to achieve the feat. And with the year still underway at the time of the announcement, the milestone leaves room for the group’s streaming numbers to continue growing.
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