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New Era: Bulletproof Boy Scouts Announce 2026 Farewell Tour ‘One Last Ride’ Marks the End of a K-pop Legend’s Era – Dates and Cities Revealed

By Ji-eun Park, K-Pop Correspondent
October 17, 2025 – Seoul, South Korea

In a tear-streaked livestream that shattered global servers and melted the hearts of millions, BTS—affectionately dubbed the Bulletproof Boy Scouts by their devoted ARMY—unveiled their swan song: the “One Last Ride” Farewell Tour. Set to blaze across the world in 2026, this monumental trek isn’t just a series of concerts; it’s a poignant curtain call for the septet who redefined K-pop, turning shy trainees into cultural titans. As RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook bid adieu to their group era, the announcement on Weverse felt less like news and more like a collective exhale—a bittersweet promise of closure wrapped in explosive energy.

The reveal came at midnight KST, with all seven members huddled in a dimly lit HYBE studio, fairy lights twinkling like distant stars. “We’ve ridden this wave together for over a decade,” RM began, his voice steady but eyes glistening. “From cramped practice rooms to sold-out stadiums, you’ve been our bulletproof vest. ‘One Last Ride’ is our way of saying thank you—with fireworks, not farewells.” The screen exploded into a teaser: seven silhouettes astride ethereal motorcycles, hurtling toward a purple horizon emblazoned with “2026: The End of an Era.” Fans worldwide crashed the platform, trending #BTSOneLastRide in 47 languages before the stream even ended.

This isn’t hyperbole. BTS’s journey, forged in 2013 amid Big Hit Entertainment’s humble garages, has been a bulletproof ascent. Their debut single “No More Dream” was a raw cry against societal pressures, but it was 2017’s “DNA” that cracked the Billboard code, propelling them from Seoul basements to Coachella headlines. Albums like Love Yourself: Tear and Map of the Soul: 7 didn’t just sell millions; they sparked global conversations on self-love, mental health, and identity. By 2022, as military enlistments loomed, BTS had amassed 40 million albums sold, seven Grammys nods, and a UN speech that echoed through history. Yet, whispers of disbandment had haunted ARMY since Jin’s 2022 draft notice. Solo ventures—Suga’s introspective D-Day, Jung Kook’s chart-slaying Golden—kept the flame alive, but the group hiatus felt like an unfinished symphony.

Enter 2025: the year of reunions. With Suga’s discharge on June 21 marking the final homecoming, BTS wasted no time. July saw them jet to Los Angeles for album sessions, teasing snippets of a spring 2026 release that blends their signature hip-hop soul with matured introspection. “This album is us, unfiltered,” J-Hope shared in a V Live clip, his sunshine smile masking the weight. “We’ve grown, hurt, healed. It’s our legacy in 12 tracks.” But the real gut-punch? The tour. Dubbed “One Last Ride” to evoke their unbreakable bond—like joyriding through life’s storms on a shared Harley—it’s positioned as the capstone to BTS’s group chapter. HYBE insiders confirm it’s no victory lap; it’s a deliberate endpoint, allowing members to pivot fully to solo paths post-2026. “The boys want to go out with a bang,” a source told The Korea Herald. “This era ends so new ones can begin—for them and for ARMY.”

And what a bang it will be. Spanning May to December 2026, the tour hits over 65 cities, projecting 4 million attendees across stadiums averaging 60,000 souls per night. It’s BTS’s most ambitious outing yet, dwarfing the 2019 Love Yourself: Speak Yourself juggernaut that grossed $170 million. Kicking off in their spiritual home, the schedule radiates global inclusivity, a nod to ARMY’s borderless devotion:

• May 15-17: Seoul, South Korea (Jamsil Olympic Stadium) – Three nights to reclaim the throne, blending classics like “Dynamite” with enlistment-era reflections. Expect guest spots from TXT and LE SSERAFIM, HYBE family style.
• May 22-24: Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome) – A doubleheader honoring their Japanese roots, with encores of “Crystal Snow” and fan-chants shaking the rafters.
• June 5-7: New York City, USA (MetLife Stadium) – Broadway meets Bangtan: Medleys infused with Broadway flair, plus a surprise collab teased as “a purple carpet unrolling.”
• June 12-14: London, UK (Wembley Stadium) – Rain or shine, ARMY’s Union Jack waves will clash gloriously with BTS’s mic drops.
• June 19-21: Berlin, Germany (Olympiastadion) – Europe’s heartbeat, featuring a fan-voted setlist heavy on Wings-era anthems.
• July 3-5: Sydney, Australia (Accor Stadium) – Down under dynamite, with fireworks syncing to “Fire.”
• July 10-12: Los Angeles, USA (SoFi Stadium) – Homecoming redux, where the 2022 Permission to Dance magic reignites.
• July 17-19: Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca) – Lucha libre energy meets “Mic Drop,” with mariachi twists on hits.
• July 24-26: São Paulo, Brazil (Allianz Parque) – Carnival vibes for “Butter,” as ARMY’s samba rhythms fuse with BTS’s groove.
• July 31-August 2: Dubai, UAE (Dubai Opera) – A desert mirage of opulence, blending BE’s whimsy with Arabian nights aesthetics.

Additional legs snake through Asia (Bangkok, Manila, Jakarta, Singapore), Europe (Paris, Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona), North America (Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Miami), and even whispers of India (Mumbai) and South Africa (Johannesburg) to close December. Pop-up stores and IMAX concert films from past tours will prelude the madness, screening September 24-October 5 in 2,500 theaters across 65 countries. Tickets? Pre-sales via Weverse Shop start November 1, 2025—expect crashes rivaling Ticketmaster’s Y2K meltdowns. Prices range $100-$1,000, with VIP packages including soundcheck access and signed merch.

The emotional undercurrent runs deep. “This ride started with seven boys dreaming big,” V reflected, voice cracking. “Now, we’re ending it with seven men, grateful beyond words.” Fans, too, are steeling for the ache. On X (formerly Twitter), #OneLastRide trended with fan art of motorcycle-riding Bangtans, tearful threads recounting enlistment goodbyes, and manifestos vowing eternal love. “It’s not goodbye; it’s see you in solos,” one viral post read, echoing the group’s ethos. Yet, for many, it’s cathartic—a chance to scream lyrics that healed them, one last time.

BTS’s legacy? Bulletproof indeed. They’ve grossed billions, inspired philanthropy (their Love Myself campaign raised $3 million for UNICEF), and shattered glass ceilings—first K-pop act at Glastonbury, first to headline Lollapalooza. As Rolling Stone noted post-announcement, “BTS didn’t just make music; they made a movement.” Post-tour, expect RM curating SFMOMA exhibits, Jin conquering variety TV, Suga delving deeper into production, J-Hope choreographing globals, Jimin acting, V in fashion/film, and Jung Kook stadium-filling solos. HYBE’s stock surged 15% on the news, underscoring their economic clout.

As 2026 dawns, “One Last Ride” beckons like a purple comet. Will it truly mark the end? Or just a scenic detour? One thing’s certain: BTS rode in as underdogs, conquered as kings, and will exit as legends. ARMY, buckle up—this farewell’s gonna be legendary.