Nike and the South Korean group BTS are collaborating to release exclusive ARIRANG world-tour merchandise and custom “Nike By You” apparel [1, 2, 3].

The partnership connects one of the world's largest athletic brands with a massive global fanbase to drive engagement during the group's extensive 2026 tour schedule.

The collaboration announcement came in May 2026 [6]. This follows the start of the ARIRANG world tour, which kicked off on April 9, 2026 [4]. The tour began in Goyang, South Korea, where the group performed for three nights [4].

Nike's involvement includes the creation of custom apparel via the “Nike By You” platform, allowing for a personalized approach to the tour's official merchandise [2]. This strategy aims to leverage the group's influence to promote the ARIRANG tour through co-branded clothing [1, 2].

The ARIRANG tour is scheduled to visit 34 cities worldwide [4]. In the U.S., the group performed in Tampa, Florida, from April 25 to April 28, 2026 [5]. They followed those dates with performances in El Paso, Texas, on May 2 and May 3, 2026 [5].

Fans can expect the exclusive merchandise to be tied directly to these global tour dates, blending high-fashion athletic wear with the group's tour identity [1, 2].

“Nike and BTS are collaborating to release exclusive ARIRANG world-tour merchandise.”

This collaboration signals a strategic move by Nike to penetrate the K-pop demographic more deeply by integrating its customization technology with a high-visibility global event. By linking limited-edition apparel to a 34-city tour, Nike creates artificial scarcity and high demand, while BTS expands its brand footprint into the global sportswear market.