EXO Launches First World Tour in 6 Years: 'EXhOrizon' Hits 13 Asian Cities Starting April 2026
EXO's dropping their sixth concert tour after half a decade away from the stage. SM Entertainment confirmed the group will kick off 'EXO PLANET #6 - EXhOrizon' with three Seoul shows this April before hitting 12 more cities across Asia.
The tour starts April 10-12 at Seoul's KSPO DOME, marking EXO's first hometown concerts since December 2019. That's a six-year, four-month gap-their longest break from touring yet.
13-City Asian Tour Following Album Success
After Seoul, the group heads to Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Macau, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Singapore. It's an all-Asia run this time around, though fans in other regions have been vocal about wanting Western stops added.
The tour comes on the heels of 'REVERXE,' EXO's eighth album that dropped January 19. The record hit #1 on iTunes in 35 countries and cracked the top 10 in 48 total regions. First-day sales on Hanteo Chart reached 265,934 copies.
China's QQ Music gave the album Double Platinum certification after it passed 2 million yuan in sales. The platform's integrated K-pop chart saw EXO tracks occupy every spot from #1 to #9. In Japan, 'REVERXE' topped both RecoChoku's daily rankings and AWA's trending chart.
Six-Member Lineup Navigates Label Dispute
This comeback features only six members: Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai, Sehun, and Lay. Chen, Baekhyun, and Xiumin aren't participating due to ongoing contract issues with SM Entertainment. The trio's been locked in legal battles over revenue sharing and settlement transparency since 2023.
SM excluded them from the album and tour, citing "destruction of trust." It's the first time EXO's promoted without those three vocalists since the group debuted in 2012.
Despite the smaller lineup, 'REVERXE' moved serious numbers. The album's nine tracks span hard dance, R&B, and even indie pop-rock territory. Title track "Crown" uses SM's performance-heavy SMP style-think trap drums, metal guitars, and coordinated choreography with eight backup dancers.
What Fans Can Expect
At their January 19 showcase in Seoul, leader Suho explained the choice of "Crown" as the title: "It represents EXO itself. EXO-L is our crown." The group performed both "Crown" and winter ballad "I'm Home" at the event.
Ticket details for Seoul haven't been released yet. SM says they'll post specifics on EXO's official fan club channels and social media. Online streaming through Beyond Live and Weverse will be available for fans who can't attend in person.
The six-year absence wasn't by choice. Members completed mandatory military service during that time, with Kai and Sehun finishing their terms in 2024. Solo projects filled the gap-Chen, D.O., Kai, and Chanyeol all released individual work between 2022-2024.
'REVERXE' marks Lay's first group album since 2018. The Chinese member's been juggling activities in both Korea and China, making his return to a full EXO project noteworthy for longtime fans.
Other album cuts include "Back It Up" (which they previewed at the 2025 Melon Music Awards), "Crazy," "Suffocate," "Moonlight Shadows," "Back Pocket," "Touch & Go," and "Flatline." Critics called "Suffocate" the album's strongest track, with comparisons to their 2019 "Obsession" era.
The tour announcement follows EXO's biggest break since forming. Whether they'll add dates beyond Asia or stick to the 13 confirmed cities remains unclear. For now, fans who've waited since 2019 finally have concrete dates to circle on their calendars.
