Stray Kids Celebrate ‘THIS & THAT’ as Their 9th Straight Billboard 200 No. 1 Album

Stray Kids marked another commercial milestone with the release of their album THIS & THAT reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Billboard reported on Aug. 17, 2026 that the project became the group’s ninth consecutive debut at the top of the chart, extending a streak that the band framed as especially momentous for their team and fans.

In the report, Billboard said the members responded with enthusiasm to the chart placement, describing it as “the most exciting news ever.” The coverage also noted that the latest week represented the group’s biggest opening on the chart by units so far, adding a new peak to a run that has consistently translated album releases into top-of-market performance.

The news positions THIS & THAT as a continuing driver of Stray Kids’ presence in the U.S. album market, with the Billboard 200 serving as a key benchmark for overall album consumption and audience reach. The group’s repeated No. 1 entries, as characterized by Billboard, underscore how quickly their releases are converting across multiple listener channels during the initial chart period.

Billboard’s coverage further describes the significance of consecutive No. 1s, emphasizing continuity rather than a one-off spike. For a group maintaining momentum through successive releases, the streak implies sustained demand and repeat discovery, not only first-time attention tied to a single album campaign.

While the report centers on chart results and the group’s reaction, it also points to how U.S. industry metrics increasingly shape mainstream visibility for global acts. A Billboard 200 No. 1 can amplify media attention, retail and streaming prominence, and opportunities for additional promotional appearances tied to an album’s U.S. performance window.

For audiences, the achievement is also a report of how quickly large fanbases can mobilize around release schedules. The report’s framing suggests that THIS & THAT’s opening week and the band’s response are closely linked, with members treating the Billboard result as a key feedback moment from the market.

As the story develops, the next practical check will be how the album sustains chart placement beyond its debut week and whether the run continues to translate into additional U.S. milestones tied to music distribution, touring visibility, and awards-season eligibility. Billboard’s reporting provides the immediate chart context, while longer-term performance will determine whether the project’s impact extends beyond the initial No. 1 window.