World of Warcraft has shared 2026 roadmaps for both Midnight and Classic, featuring exciting reveals like raid bosses in minor patches, extra-large Labyrinth delves, and new alternative game modes including Prop Hunt. While many of the specifics are still shrouded in mystery, it seems like 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for World of Warcraft fans of all varieties.
It has almost struck Midnight in World of Warcraft, with the exciting expansion officially arriving on March 2. In the meantime, players can enjoy the World of Warcraft Pre-Expansion Update, which includes many core system changes, class adjustments, and the Twilight Ascension event.
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World of Warcraft 2026 Roadmaps Explained
Now, World of Warcraft has pulled back the curtain on what is coming after Midnight. During WoW's recent State of Azeroth presentation, it revealed a new roadmap for its major updates in 2026. Patch 12.0.5 will arrive in the spring, and will include an open world activity called Void Assaults, where Xal’ataths forces must be repelled from key points across Midnight’s zones. Additionally, World of Warcraft is adding a new Prop Hunt mini-game in which fans hide across Silvermoon as pieces of Decor while others try to track them down before time is up.
Later in the spring, Patch 12.0.7 arrives. A new story campaign will be added, and the Void Assaults from 12.0.5 will escalate as well. However, some unexpected surprise will also arrive in the form of a standalone raid encounter against a massive Spore Walker, seemingly in Harandar. Additionally, World of Warcraft's Turbulent Timeways Timewalking event will return for its sixth iteration.
Patch 12.1, the first major post-launch update for Midnight, arrives in the summer. Very little was shown during the presentation, but evidence discovered in the WoW: Midnight beta suggests it could take place on Atal’Utek, the mysterious island to the east of Zul’Aman. Players can expect most of the typical features for a major update to be a part of this patch, including a new zone, raid, dungeon, world boss, campaign, delves, and general updates, including some for Player Housing.
WoW game director Ion Hazzikostas confirmed improvements to the social and friend systems would be introduced in 12.1.
In Autumn, Patch 12.1.5 will arrive, and while it is still too far off to have many specifics, two exciting things were revealed. Firstly, a second minor patch raid will be available, but unlike the 12.0.7 raid, this one will tie directly into the story. Additionally, a new type of instance currently called Labyrinths will be introduced. Described as the mega-dungeon of the delve system introduced in WoW: The War Within, these massive instances have multiple sections that can all be cleared at once, or in smaller, bite-sized pieces, alone with a delve companion or in groups.
The last update planned for this year is 12.1.7. More story campaign quests will arrive, alongside the seventh Turbulent Timeways event and holiday updates, likely to either Hallow’s End or the Feast of Winter Veil. Additionally, a new standalone game mode made by the same team as Plunderstorm is coming. Little is known so far, but judging from the single image that was shown, it may be the spooky game mode World of Warcraft teased at PAX East last year, which could be a social deduction game like Among Us or an asymmetrical survival game like Dead By Daylight involving the Witches of Drustvar.
World of Warcraft also revealed the Dark Portal Housing decor item, which can be claimed for free by anyone with a subscription simply by logging in between now and Midnight launch.
What’s Coming Next in World of Warcraft: Classic?
Mists of Pandaria Classic will release Escalation in Spring and Siege of Orgrimmar in the Summer, but Blizzard is keeping close-lipped about what comes after. Gamers will likely have to wait until BlizzCon on September 12 to learn what’s happening next for these servers.
For Classic Fresh, World of Warcraft has plotted out all the phases of The Burning Crusade from launch through the Fury of the Sunwell update, which arrives near the end of the year. There is no word on whether these realms will eventually progress on to Wrath of the Lich King Classic, nor confirmation of Classic+ or any other developments. WoW producer and vice president Holly Longdale teased some sort of major announcement during the showcase, but fans will probably have to wait for BlizzCon to find out what that is all about, too.
- Released
- 2026
- Base Game
- World of Warcraft
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Publisher(s)
- Blizzard
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary
