Overview

• The 12‑track album releases worldwide at 12 a.m. Eastern on Oct. 3 across major streaming platforms, with Taylor Nation sharing a release‑week schedule and global drop times.
• Hundreds of Target stores will open at midnight with retailer‑exclusive vinyl and CDs; tickets reserving product are handed out starting at 10 p.m., purchases begin at 12 a.m., stock is limited, and there is a four‑item limit per guest.
• Local lists confirm nine Illinois locations and 11 in Colorado among participating stores, including Chicago’s Near North Elston site, which plans to stay open until 1 a.m.
• An 89‑minute ‘Official Release Party of a Showgirl’ film runs in cinemas Oct. 3–5 starting at 3 p.m. ET, featuring the lead single’s music video, lyric videos and Swift’s track‑by‑track reflections.
• Promotion includes Spotify’s immersive New York pop‑up and city billboards, record pre‑saves topping 5.5 million on Spotify, and community events such as dance nights and listening parties in Minneapolis, Boston and the Triangle.