Stray Kids score 9th straight Billboard 200 No. 1 with This & That

K-pop powerhouse Stray Kids have debuted their tenth EP, This & That, at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart dated August 22, 2026, according to figures published by Billboard. The release earned 369,000 equivalent album units in the United States, propelled by 357,000 in traditional album sales. This performance marks the group's largest sales week to date and secures their ninth consecutive chart-topping debut, an unprecedented streak in the 70-year history of the chart.

The eight-member group — composed of Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N —

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"Every time we prepare an album, we approach it with the mindset of giving our best rather than focusing on results. I hope the results follow accordingly. I hope our music reaches Stay — our fandom — and our listeners."

Seungmin, member, via The Korea Herald

According to Pep, the group's perfect nine-for-nine trajectory began with Oddinary in 2022 and continued through Maxident, 5-Star, Rock-Star, Ate, Hop, Karma, and Do It, before culminating in the eight-track EP This & That. The album captures a bold, confident attitude of pursuing what one wants without being bound by convention, as detailed by The Korea Herald.

Yahoo News notes that the EP secured the sixth-largest week for any album in 2026 overall. Furthermore, its 357,000 pure sales represent the second-largest traditional sales week for an album this year, trailing only the March debut of BTS's Arirang, which opened with 532,000 traditional sales.

Stray Kids Billboard 200 Chart-Topping Streak

• Oddinary (2022), First career No. 1
• Maxident (2022), Second No. 1
• 5-Star (2023), Third No. 1
• Rock-Star (2023), Fourth No. 1
• Ate (2024), Fifth No. 1
• Hop (2024), Sixth No. 1, making them the first act to debut their first six charting albums at the top spot (Korea Herald)
• Karma (2025), Seventh No. 1, surpassing BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band for the most 21st-century group No. 1s (PEP.ph)
• Do It (2025), Eighth No. 1
• This & That (2026), Ninth No. 1, setting a 70-year chart milestone (Korea Herald)

With nine No. 1 albums, the group is now tied with the Rolling Stones for the second-most chart-topping albums among groups, trailing only The Beatles, who hold the all-time group record with 19 No. 1 albums.

As PEP.ph notes, this puts the group just one chart-topper away from overtaking the Rolling Stones' total to claim sole possession of second-most No. 1 albums among groups in Billboard 200 history.

Chart Mechanics and Placement Context

According to The Korea Herald, the Billboard 200 ranks albums by measuring total album units, a comprehensive metric combining traditional album sales, streaming equivalent albums, and track equivalent albums. Within that broader industry framework, the group's latest release achieved notable milestones across the wider music landscape:

• Achieved the sixth-largest week for any album released in the year 2026 overall (Yahoo News).
• Secured the second-largest traditional sales week for an album in 2026, trailing only the March debut of BTS's Arirang, which opened with 532,000 pure sales (Yahoo News).
• Strengthened their standing as the group holding the most Billboard 200 No. 1 albums among all K-pop groups and all musical acts that debuted after the year 2000 (The Korea Herald).

The eight-track project also established a firm commercial foothold amid a crowded field of high-profile releases on the album tally. While Ariana Grande's Petal descended to second place in its second week with 82,000 equivalent album units, and other established projects from Olivia Rodrigo, Ella Langley, and Morgan Wallen populated the upper tiers, Yahoo News reported that new arrivals from artists such as Pooh Shiesty, Karol G, and Role Model also entered the chart alongside the group's historic debut. For Stray Kids, the next step involves maintaining this momentum as they eye the threshold of group history on the U.S. Charts (PEP.ph).

Historical Milestones and Global Context

According to PEP.ph, the group's trajectory on the Billboard 200 first claimed a 21st-century benchmark in the year 2025 when their release Karma became their seventh No. 1 album. That milestone surpassed the previous totals held by groups such as BTS, Linkin Park, and Dave Matthews Band. The Korea Herald notes that the group continues to hold the distinction of being the musical act with the most Billboard 200 chart-toppers among all K-pop groups and all acts that debuted after the year 2000.

The wider album chart during the tracking period featured significant shifts across multiple genres and release cycles, as detailed by Yahoo News. Beyond the top tier, where Ariana Grande's Petal shifted to second place with 82,000 equivalent album units and Olivia Rodrigo's You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love remained steady at third, several other projects made notable entries. Pooh Shiesty debuted at seventh with All Eyes on Shiest, Karol G bowed at eighth with No Me Arrepiento de Sentir Tanto, and Role Model entered at tenth with Chuck Timely & the Hourglass, which earned 38,500 equivalent album units.

As PEP.ph points out, the group now stands within striking distance of a historic solo threshold on the U.S. Charts. With nine consecutive chart-topping debuts already secured, the next step involves releasing a future project that could push them past the Rolling Stones' total to claim sole possession of the second-most No. 1 albums among groups in Billboard 200 history.