BTS Say a New Album Is Coming, but When Will It Drop? ARMY Have Theories

Image Source: Getty/ Matt Winkelmeyer

The fourth quarter of 2021 has been eventful for ARMYs. To give you a summary, BTS put on four back-to-back concerts at SoFi Stadium, marking their first live performances in front of fans since 2019. They also performed at the annual KIIS FM Jingle Ball, opened up personal Instagram accounts, and announced a brief holiday. As if that wasn't enough, HYBE confirmed the group has another concert planned for March 2022, and — best of all — a new album is on the way. "BTS will be focusing on preparing for the concert and release of the new album that will mark the beginning of a 'new chapter,'" the agency said in a 5 Dec. tweet. Although they didn't reveal when BTS's new record will arrive, fans have a theory it'll be here soon.

When Will BTS Drop Their 2022 Album?

Taking a look at BTS' schedule in 2022 gives insight into when they may drop their 2022 album. BTS will likely return from their extended break sometime in mid-to-late January since the group confirmed their next event is the Grammys, which will take place on Jan. 31, 2022. The septet also revealed they'll have a concert in Seoul in March, but besides that, their schedule next year remains a mystery. Since they have nothing planned for February just yet, fans think BTS could drop a new album that month. It would be perfect since that would mean the group would have brand-new material to perform at their Seoul concert and any upcoming tour (if there be one).

Fans suspect an album announcement could come at the end of January once BTS returns from their holiday. Since BTS hinted a tour is in the works during their Dec. 4 interview on the Jingle Ball red carpet, ARMYs also predict the group will announce a tour, which could kick off right after their concert in March. "Dec 2021 - BTS Holiday Jan 2022 - Comeback announced Feb 2022 - Album drop & World Tour announcement Mar 2022 - BTS World Tour Kickoff," one fan tweeted.

My ARMY Theory (bc I love being a 🤡)

Dec 2021 - BTS Holiday
Jan 2022 - Comeback announced
Feb 2022 - Album drop & World Tour announcement
Mar 2022 - BTS World Tour Kickoff

In the meantime, REST WELL Tannies. You deserve this.

— sarang (@mahalhaeyo) December 6, 2021

"So here's my theory: January we will get a schedule for the album releases and trailers then comes February with the release and all stuff, next comes March with all the concerts and performances then if situation allows we will get A MOTHERF*CKIN TOUR!" another fan predicted.

So here's my theory : January we will get an schedule for the album releases and trailers then comes February with the release and all stuff , next comes March with all the concerts and performances then if situation allows we will get A MOTHERFUCKIN TOUR! SAVE YOUR MONEY

— HARU YOZI⁷ SUPER TUNA (@HaruYozi) December 3, 2021

When Will BTS Tour Their 2022 Album?

Fans have a theory BTS' 2022 album will come right before their Seoul concert because, over the past few years, BTS has dropped a new album right before embarking on world tours. For example, the group released their Love Yourself: Answer album on Aug. 24, 2018. They kicked off their Love Yourself tour at the Seoul Olympic Stadium the next day. They also debuted their Map of the Soul: 7 album on Feb. 21, 2020, and were supposed to begin their Map of the Soul tour weeks later on April 11 in Seoul, but had to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Considering BTS has another concert lined up in Seoul next March, you can't blame fans for thinking their performance could be the first stop as part of another world tour. If everything aligns with their previous schedules, fans are convinced a new BTS album could come as soon as February, with the corresponding tour kicking off soon after.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! SEE YOU IN SEOUL!!!!!!!!!!!! BTS CONCERT TOUR IN 2022!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/A9PWWMVlgi

— jkv ♡ (@_kvthjk) December 3, 2021

However, it's also possible BTS may go off an entirely new timeline. In 2021, they did things differently by not releasing a studio album. Instead, they made their comebacks with their singles like "Butter" and "Permission to Dance" and collaborated with artists like Coldplay and Megan Thee Stallion. Since anything could happen, ARMYs should expect the unexpected!