Path of Exile 2 finally has its 1.0 release date and it’s coming this year
Path of Exile 2 has officially confirmed its highly anticipated 1.0 release date of December 11, 2026, as announced by developer Grinding Gear Games at Gamescom Opening Night Live. The launch marks a major milestone for the action role-playing game, which will simultaneously exit early access and transition to a free-to-play model.
Currently requiring purchase of the Founder’s Pack to access early access, Path of Exile 2 will remove this paywall upon 1.0 launch, allowing unrestricted free-to-play access to all players. The full release will introduce significant new content alongside the completion of the game’s campaign progression.
The Duelist class will debut with the 1.0 release, representing the game’s first dedicated sword-wielding melee class. Designed for aggressive combat, the Duelist can also equip shields, expanding character variety for players. The final two acts of the campaign will also launch alongside the 1.0 release, concluding the main story.
The announcement represents a significant milestone for the long-anticipated sequel to Path of Exile, finally providing players with official confirmation of when the game’s full launch will occur.