BTS has made history as the first group worldwide to surpass 10 billion streams on Spotify in a single year.
As of Friday, the global phenomenon BTS has shattered records on the audio streaming giant Spotify, amassing over 10 billion streams in 2026 alone. While solo superstars like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny have previously hit this milestone, BTS stands alone as the first group to achieve this feat within a calendar year.
The group’s streaming numbers have skyrocketed, showing a staggering 122% increase from last year’s 4.5 billion streams. The driving force behind this unprecedented achievement is their fifth studio album, Arirang, released in March. The album has dominated Spotify, racking up over 5 billion streams and cementing its place as the most-streamed new release of 2026 on the platform.
Adding to their list of accolades, BTS clinched the coveted Artist of the Year award at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Japan on Wednesday. The winners were announced ahead of the main ceremony, which is set to take place on October 29 at Tokyo’s iconic Dome.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, BTS has redefined the landscape of pop music with chart-topping hits like “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “Permission to Dance.” Following a brief hiatus, the group returned stronger than ever with ‘Arirang’ in March. The album’s title track, “Swim,” has captivated audiences worldwide, further solidifying their status as global music icons.
Currently, BTS is electrifying fans across the globe with their Arirang world tour. The septet is set to light up the National Stadium in Chile with performances from October 14 to 17, continuing their reign as one of music’s most dynamic live acts.