Music Bank Global Festival in Japan 2026 – Tokyo

• December 12, 2026
  Event date:
• December 13, 2026
  Event end:

Overview

Music Bank Global Festival in Japan 2026 is the biggest year-end K-pop celebration presented by KBS, returning to Tokyo for its most ambitious edition yet. As the Japanese extension of Korea’s legendary Music Bank, this two-day festival transforms Japan’s most iconic stadium into a global stage where the top K-pop acts of the year perform full-scale, festival-exclusive productions.

This is not a standard award show or a single concert. It is a hybrid live festival and television special, recorded live at MUFG Stadium, Tokyo’s National Stadium, and later broadcast as the KBS year-end special Music Bank Global Festival. For fans in the stadium, it is a chance to experience over 25 artists across two nights with extended sets, special collaboration stages, and year-end retrospectives that never appear on regular music shows.

The 2026 edition is historic for several reasons. It marks the second year in a row that a multi-act K-pop festival has been held at Japan National Stadium, following the groundbreaking 2025 edition that drew approximately 140,000 fans across two days and featured 25 acts. It also marks the first time the stadium operates under its new naming rights as MUFG Stadium, with a capacity of 67,750, making it the largest venue ever used for Music Bank in Japan.

With Visa, telecom, and broadcast sponsors supporting global ticketing, the festival is designed for both Japanese and international fans, offering multilingual ticketing, official light stick syncing, and live broadcast access via KBS2.

What Makes This Event Special

Largest K-Pop Festival at Japan National Stadium: Last year’s edition made history as the first K-pop multi-act concert held at Japan National Stadium. The 2026 edition returns to the same venue, now branded MUFG Stadium, with an even larger lineup. The sheer scale of 67,750 capacity with 360-degree stage production is unmatched by any other K-pop year-end event in Japan.

Year-End Festival, Not Just a Concert: Unlike regular concerts, Music Bank Global Festival is structured as KBS’s official year-end结算. Performances are curated to reflect the year’s biggest hits, with special arrangements, dance breaks, and cover stages created only for this festival. It is where artists close their year with a statement performance.

Massive Cross-Agency Lineup: The festival brings together artists from HYBE, JYP, SM, YG, STARSHIP, and many other agencies on one stage — a rarity in Japan. You can see rival groups like Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, and ATEEZ in the same night, plus special units like MISAMO from TWICE and solo stages from Nayeon.

Official Broadcast Production: Every stage is filmed with broadcast-grade cameras, cranes, and drones for the later KBS2TV special airing. Attendees become part of the televised special, with crowd light sync and fan chant moments designed for broadcast.

MCs from Top Groups: The festival is hosted by current Music Bank MCs and top idols. For this edition, actor and current Music Bank MC Kim Jaewon hosts both nights, joined by TWICE’s Sana on one night and IVE’s Jang Won Young on the other night, creating MC chemistry that is a show in itself.

Lineup / Featured Artists

The official lineup is announced in three waves by KBS, and the 2026 edition is already confirmed as one of the most stacked bills of the year.

First Wave Announced by KBS: MISAMO, Nayeon, Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, BOYNEXTDOOR, NCT WISH, and CORTIS. This wave focused on arena-level headliners and global chart leaders. Stray Kids arrive fresh from their world tour cycle and their previous National Stadium performance, aespa brings their latest hits, IVE brings their award-winning discography, and MISAMO brings their strong Japanese album Play.

Second Wave Announced: ATEEZ, RIIZE, &TEAM, ITZY, Hearts2Hearts, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, RESCENE, and LE SSERAFIM. ATEEZ returns after another major year of global touring, RIIZE brings their rapidly expanding Japanese audience, Hearts2Hearts and ALPHA DRIVE ONE represent the newest generation, and ITZY and LE SSERAFIM add powerhouse girl group performances.

Third Wave Announced: NiziU, INI, TWS, KickFlip, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, NEXZ, AEN, and TUIDE. This wave adds beloved Japan-based groups like NiziU and INI, plus rising boy groups like TWS, KickFlip, and xikers who have built strong followings through Music Bank appearances.

Final lineup by chapter:

Chapter 1 Performers: aespa, ATEEZ, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, Hearts2Hearts, INI, KickFlip, MISAMO, Nayeon, NCT WISH, NiziU, RIIZE, TWS, plus special MC stage.

Chapter 2 Performers: AEN, BOYNEXTDOOR, CORTIS, ITZY, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NEXZ, RESCENE, Stray Kids, &TEAM, TUIDE, xikers, ZEROBASEONE, plus collaboration stages.

KBS has confirmed more special collaboration stages and cover performances will be added in the final announcement. Past editions featured 22 artists over two days at PayPay Dome Fukuoka, including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, WayV, STAYC, NMIXX, NewJeans, and RIIZE, so fans can expect similar variety and exclusive unit stages in Tokyo.

Event Experience

Experiencing Music Bank Global Festival at MUFG Stadium is unlike any other K-pop event in Japan.

The stadium is transformed from a sports arena into a concert mega-dome. A massive center stage extends deep into the arena floor with long runways, sub-stages, and lifting platforms. Giant LED walls on all four sides ensure visibility from every seat. The dome’s roof structure supports aerial rigs for wire performances and suspended screens.

Doors open in mid-afternoon, giving fans time to explore. Outside, the stadium plaza hosts official merchandise booths, CD sales booths for fan event entries, sponsor activation zones with photo opportunities, and food trucks offering Japanese and Korean festival foods. Inside the concourse, light stick sync stations allow fans to pair their official light sticks via Bluetooth to the central control system, creating a synchronized ocean of color during performances.

The show itself runs for over four hours each night. It alternates between high-energy group performances, special solo and unit stages, VCR interludes that review the year’s Music Bank charts, and MC talk segments where artists interact. Unlike award shows, there are no long acceptance speeches — the focus is entirely on performance.

Audience participation is central. Fan chants are encouraged and lyrics appear on big screens for newer songs. Light stick waves are choreographed by the production team. For international fans, real-time translation via the official app provides MC subtitles.

After the live festival, KBS edits the footage into a polished television special that airs later in the month, so attendees can re-watch their own cheering on national broadcast.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: December 12–13, 2026

Venue: MUFG Stadium, Tokyo’s National Stadium – 10-2 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Official Website: https://www.music-bank.jp/

Contact: 0570-017-230

Detailed Schedule:

Day 1 – December 12, 2026: Doors open at 3:00 PM. Show starts at 5:00 PM. Performances include Chapter 1 lineup with MCs Kim Jaewon and Sana of TWICE. Expected end time around 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Broadcast recording continues until approximately 10:00 PM.

Day 2 – December 13, 2026: Doors open at 3:00 PM. Show starts at 5:00 PM. Performances include Chapter 2 lineup with MCs Kim Jaewon and Jang Won Young of IVE. Expected end time around 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

Related Dates: First official early bird ticket sales for previous edition were held until August 19 through Ticket Pia offering two-day passes. Visa Presale and general sales for this edition follow similar pattern starting in autumn. Official broadcast on KBS2TV is scheduled for later in December at 8:30 PM.

All doors and start times are tentative and subject to change. Final timetable with performance order is released approximately one week before the event via official website and KBS social channels.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

Music Bank Global Festival in Japan 2026 takes place at MUFG Stadium, officially known as Japan National Stadium, located at 10-2 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

The stadium was rebuilt as the main venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and completed in November 2019. It is owned by Japan Sport Council and operated by Japan National Stadium Entertainment. With a capacity of 67,750 for track and field and up to 80,016 with temporary seats, it is the largest stadium in Japan and one of the most advanced in the world for acoustics and live production.

The venue is fully indoor with a retractable-style roof structure that provides weather protection while maintaining an open-air feel. Facilities include over 60 concession stands, permanent restrooms on every level, barrier-free access with elevator access to all floors, nursing rooms, and extensive merchandise concourses.

For concerts, the field is covered and converted into standing and seated arena blocks. The stadium’s wood-centric design using Japanese cedar creates a warm atmosphere unusual for a stadium of this size.

In 2025, MUFG acquired naming rights in a massive deal, renaming the venue MUFG Stadium while retaining its official name Japan National Stadium for international events. The sponsorship allows for enhanced fan experiences including cashless payment systems throughout the venue.

Event History

Music Bank is KBS’s flagship music program, first aired in 1998, and has long been Korea’s most influential weekly music chart show. The Global Festival format was created to expand Music Bank beyond Korea and celebrate K-pop’s global growth.

The first Music Bank Global Festival in Japan was held as part of KBS Song Festival special editions, featuring split broadcasts between Korea and Japan. In 2023, the festival evolved into a dedicated two-part global festival, with one part recorded in Korea hosted by various artists and a second part pre-recorded in Japan hosted by Rowoon, Go Min-si, and Lee Youngji. That edition featured over 20 artists including BOYNEXTDOOR, ENHYPEN, STAYC, ITZY, LE SSERAFIM, ATEEZ, Stray Kids, THE BOYZ, NewJeans, NMIXX, NiziU, Kep1er, SHINee, P1Harmony, and &TEAM.

In 2024, the festival grew significantly and was held over two full days at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka with 22 artists including TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Stray Kids, ITZY, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, RIIZE, and ZEROBASEONE. That edition was the largest K-POP grand festival in history at the time.

In 2025, KBS made history by moving the festival to Japan National Stadium in Tokyo for the first time, becoming the first K-pop multi-act concert held at the Olympic stadium. That edition drew approximately 140,000 fans across two days with 25 acts.

The 2026 edition continues this upward trajectory, returning to the same Tokyo National Stadium with an expanded lineup and new MUFG Stadium branding, solidifying Music Bank Global Festival as the premier year-end K-pop festival in Japan alongside MAMA Awards and Inkigayo Live.

Getting to the Event

By Train – Most Recommended: The stadium is served by multiple lines within 5 to 10 minutes walk.

Sendagaya Station: JR Chuo-Sobu Line, 5 minutes walk to Gate A. Best for those coming from Shinjuku and central Tokyo.

Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station: Toei Oedo Line, 5 minutes walk. Directly named after the stadium.

Gaienmae Station: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, 10 minutes walk.

Shinanomachi Station: JR Chuo-Sobu Line, 10 minutes walk.

From Shinjuku Station, take JR Chuo-Sobu Line to Sendagaya in 6 minutes. From Tokyo Station, take JR Chuo Line to Sendagaya in about 18 minutes. From Shibuya, take Ginza Line to Gaienmae in about 12 minutes.

By Air: From Haneda Airport, take Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho then JR to Sendagaya, total about 50 minutes. From Narita Airport, take Narita Express to Shinjuku then JR to Sendagaya, about 90 minutes.

By Bus: Toei Bus lines stop at Kokuritsu Kyogijo-mae and Sendagaya-eki-mae. During major concerts, additional shuttle buses operate from Shinjuku and Shibuya.

By Taxi: From Shinjuku, taxi costs approximately $12 to $18. From Shibuya, $15 to $20. Expect heavy traffic and road closures around the stadium after the show, so train is strongly recommended for return.

Accessibility: All gates have elevators and wheelchair spaces are available via advance application through Ticket Pia. Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station is fully barrier-free.

Where to Stay Nearby

Staying near Shinjuku, Shibuya, or the stadium area offers the most convenience.

Luxury Hotels Near Stadium: Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier is the closest upscale hotel, approximately 7 minutes walk to the stadium, rates around $200 to $350 per night. Hotel New Otani Tokyo and Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku offer luxury with easy train access, $300 to $600 per night.

Mid-Range Hotels in Shinjuku: APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, and Shinjuku Washington Hotel are popular with K-pop fans, ranging $90 to $160 per night. Many offer early check-in and luggage storage for concert-goers.

Budget and Business Hotels: Super Hotel, Toyoko Inn, and Dormy Inn chains near Sendagaya and Shinjuku offer compact rooms from $55 to $90 per night. Capsule hotels in Shinjuku provide options from $35 to $55.

Fan-Focused Areas: Shinjuku is ideal for nightlife, shopping, and post-concert dining. Shibuya offers youth culture and K-pop shops. Both areas have direct train lines to the stadium and are filled with other fans during festival weekend.

Book early, as hotels within walking distance sell out months before Music Bank weekend, especially with international fans traveling for the year-end festival season.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park: Located just one station away from the stadium, this massive forested shrine offers a peaceful escape from concert crowds and beautiful autumn foliage.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A stunning park with Japanese, English, and French garden sections, perfect for a morning walk before an evening concert.

Harajuku and Omotesando: Tokyo’s youth fashion and K-pop shopping districts, featuring K-pop album stores, merchandise shops, and cafes that host fan events during Music Bank week.

Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa: If you have an extra day, visit Tokyo’s iconic tower and traditional temple district for a classic Tokyo sightseeing experience.

TeamLab Borderless: The immersive digital art museum in Azabudai Hills is a popular pre-concert activity for fans who love visual experiences.

Concert After-Parties: Many fan cafes in Shin-Okubo, Tokyo’s Koreatown, host unofficial after-parties, cupsleeve events, and photocard trading events during Music Bank weekend.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

Inside MUFG Stadium: The stadium concourse offers standard arena food including bento boxes, karaage, yakisoba, burgers, and soft drinks. Prices range $7 to $16. Lines are long during breaks, so eating before entry is recommended.

Outer Garden Area: Around Gaienmae and Aoyama, you will find upscale cafes and restaurants such as Shake Shack Gaien, Royal Garden Cafe, and numerous Italian and Japanese restaurants, average $12 to $25.

Sendagaya and Shinanomachi: Local favorites include ramen shops, soba shops, and izakaya offering quick meals for fans, such as Fuunji for tsukemen and various tonkatsu shops, $8 to $14.

Shinjuku and Shibuya: For a full Tokyo food experience, try Ichiran for ramen, Gyukatsu Motomura for wagyu cutlet, and countless Korean restaurants in Shin-Okubo offering samgyeopsal and tteokbokki, $10 to $30 per person.

Convenience Stores: Lawson, FamilyMart, and 7-Eleven are located inside Sendagaya and Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Stations and around the stadium, useful for water, onigiri, and light snacks from $2 to $6.

Ticket Information

Official ticketing is managed through Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, and official international ticketing via the Music Bank Japan website.

Based on previous editions, pricing structure is as follows. All prices have been converted to USD.

2023 Pricing Reference: Tickets for Music Bank Global Festival 2023 in Japan were available at approximately $148 per day, which included a standard reserved seat. Upgrade tickets for front arena blocks were offered separately.

2024 Pricing Reference: Two-day passes were sold during early bird sales through Ticket Pia, with single-day tickets ranging from approximately $121 to $148 depending on seat tier.

2025 Pricing Reference: Price range was officially listed as approximately $121 to $148 for standard to premium tiers, with VIP upgrade options available.

Expected 2026 Pricing at MUFG Stadium:
Standard Reserved Seat: Upper stands and rear arena blocks, expected approximately $121 to $148 per day. Includes light stick sync access.
Premium Reserved Seat: Lower stands and mid arena with better sightlines and closer to main stage, expected approximately $162 to $203 per day.
VIP / Arena Front Block: Front arena blocks closest to main stage and extended runway, includes priority entry and exclusive lanyard, expected approximately $216 to $270 per day.
2-Day Pass: Typically provides discount compared to buying two single days, expected approximately $229 to $405 depending on tier.
Upgrade Ticket: Front row and special stage side seats, details released closer to event.

Tickets are electronic and require ID verification at entry. Each person must have their own ticket. Official resale is handled through Ticket Pia’s official resale system. Additional fees including system fee of approximately $5 to $10 per ticket apply. Children aged 3 and older require a ticket.

Tips Before You Go

Secure Tickets Early Through Official Channels: Music Bank Global Festival sells out within hours, especially front arena blocks. Create your Ticket Pia and Lawson Ticket accounts in advance, verify your phone number, and prepare international payment methods. Avoid unofficial resale sites as QR codes are tied to purchaser ID and may be denied at entry.

Light Stick and Battery Preparation: Bring your official group light sticks and ensure they have fresh batteries or are fully charged. The festival uses central control to sync all official light sticks for unified color waves during performances. Unofficial light sticks or light boards may be confiscated. Bring a small bag for multiple light sticks if you support several groups.

Stadium Rules and Bag Policy: MUFG Stadium prohibits large bags over 40cm, professional cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks, tripods, and outside food and drink. Security includes metal detectors and bag checks. Bring a small shoulder bag, portable charger, and a light jacket as the stadium can be cold in evening. Coin lockers outside the stadium fill quickly.

Arrival and Return Strategy: Aim to arrive at Sendagaya or Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station at least 90 minutes before doors open to avoid crush at ticket verification and merchandise lines. After the show, wait 30 to 45 minutes inside the stadium concourse to avoid the worst train queue, or enjoy nearby Gaienmae cafes. The last train from Sendagaya is around midnight.

Enjoy Broadcast Participation: Remember you are part of the KBS television special. Fan chants and light stick movements will be filmed. Check official setlist spoilers via the Music Bank Japan app for chant guides. Keep your phone charged for Mnet Plus live voting segments if any are included during recording.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://www.music-bank.jp/

Contact Number: 0570-017-230

Organizer: KBS, KBS Japan, and affiliated production partners

Venue: MUFG Stadium, Japan National Stadium – 10-2 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Broadcast: KBS2TV special airing later in December, plus streaming via KBS World and Mnet Japan. Past special aired on December 19 at 8:30 PM.

Ticketing Platforms: Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, eplus, and official international ticketing via music-bank.jp

Social Media: Follow @KBS_MusicBank and @musicbankjapan on X and Instagram for lineup announcements, timetable releases, and behind-the-scenes content.

Rules: No outside food or drink, no professional cameras or recording equipment, no re-entry without wristband check, no smoking except designated areas. Follow staff instructions for light stick syncing.

Attendee Experiences

Attendees of previous Music Bank Global Festival editions at PayPay Dome Fukuoka describe the event as the most polished and artist-dense K-pop festival in Japan. The production quality is often compared to MAMA Awards but with a stronger focus on full group performances rather than award presentations.

Long-time fans highlight the exclusive collaboration stages as unforgettable. For example, in 2023, fans saw BOYNEXTDOOR, ENHYPEN, and &TEAM share a special dance stage, while Golden Girls delivered a surprise retro performance that was not broadcast elsewhere.

International visitors who attended the Fukuoka editions note the excellent sound quality despite the dome size, efficient entry via QR codes, and friendly staff who speak basic English and Korean. The ability to see over 11 artists per day with full live bands makes it feel like multiple concerts in one.

The 2025 move to National Stadium was widely praised for its central Tokyo location, easy train access from Shinjuku and Shibuya, and the historic feeling of being in Japan’s Olympic stadium. Many attendees mentioned that light stick oceans during Stray Kids and aespa performances created emotional moments that went viral on social media.

Overall, reviews emphasize that Music Bank Global Festival feels like the perfect closing ceremony for a K-pop fan’s year, where you can see all your favorite artists in one weekend before the year ends.

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