Stray Kids are continuing their successful 2025 with a new album and a major international milestone. The K-pop group will headline Rock in Rio on September 11, 2026.
The announcement makes Stray Kids the first K-pop act to headline the famous Brazilian festival. Rock in Rio has hosted major names from rock, pop and Latin music over the years.
The Stray Kids Rio headline marks another major step in the group’s growing global career.
Brazil proves the power of Stray Kids
Stray Kids already have a strong following in Brazil. In April 2025, the group attracted more than 50,000 fans during their “dominATE” tour at Estádio Nilton Santos.
Their return to Brazil as Rock in Rio headliners shows how much their international fanbase has grown. It also highlights their status as one of K-pop’s leading live acts.
The announcement comes as excitement builds around “SKZ IT TAPE: DO IT”. Stray Kids released the five-track mixtape on November 21.
The release quickly made an impact on international charts. It reached No. 1 on worldwide and European iTunes charts and topped charts in several countries.
The mixtape also recorded more than one million Spotify pre-saves. According to The Korea Times, this marked the first time a K-pop release reached that figure.
Its lead single, “Do It”, also made a strong start on streaming platforms. The song reached No. 11 on Spotify’s Global Daily Top Songs after collecting more than 3.33 million first-day streams.
The music video also reached the top of YouTube’s worldwide trending chart.
‘Do It’ unlocks a bold new sound
Stray Kids used “SKZ IT TAPE: DO IT” to highlight their experimental side. The group combines energetic production with a confident new sound across the five tracks.
“Do It” serves as one of the project’s main tracks alongside “DIVINE”. The two songs mark the group’s first double-title release since 2021.
The visual concept also gives the comeback a more mature feel. Dramatic outfits and darker backdrops create a bold image for the new era.
Despite the fresh direction, Stray Kids continue to rely on their self-produced sound. Their producer unit, 3RACHA, remains central to the group’s creative identity.
A global takeover in motion
Stray Kids are entering 2026 with strong momentum. Their “Do It” era and Rock in Rio headline give the group two major international milestones to build on.
The Stray Kids Rio headline also represents a wider moment for K-pop. Their position on the festival’s main stage shows how Korean artists continue to expand their presence in major global music events.
With a growing international audience and a distinctive self-produced sound, Stray Kids are entering an important new chapter.
Their Rock in Rio appearance could become another defining moment in the group’s rise from K-pop stars to global festival headliners.
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