Full free-to-play release
Grinding Gear Games says Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and launches as a fully free-to-play action RPG on December 11, 2026 (PST).
Sources checked September 24, 2026
Path of Exile 2 1.0: Release Date and Confirmed Details
Path of Exile 2's full free-to-play release is scheduled for December 11, 2026 (PST). The Duelist and swords arrive with 1.0. If you're planning your return, that is the date to watch; September's Forbidden Rites update has already started and does not include the Duelist.
Watch the full-release trailer
Path of Exile 2 1.0 release countdown
December 11, 2026 (PST)
Date confirmed by Grinding Gear Games
—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
—Seconds
Counts down to the start of December 11, 2026 in Pacific time, not server opening. The sources reviewed below do not give an exact launch hour.
Confirmed by GGG
What is confirmed for Path of Exile 2 1.0?
These details come from GGG's release announcements, previews and FAQs, linked below.
The Duelist joins at 1.0
The release announcement confirms the Duelist for 1.0. GGG's FAQ also makes clear that the class is not part of update 0.5.5.
Swords arrive with the Duelist
GGG's official deep dive pairs the Duelist with swords, adding the long-awaited weapon type at full release.
Pre-launch leagues end at 1.0
GGG's Forbidden Rites FAQ schedules both Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur to end with the 1.0 launch.
Registration rewards need email confirmation
GGG has unlocked the Soulflame Weapon Effect milestone. Register on its official site and confirm your email to qualify; reward codes are due after the full release.
Steam Deck verification is already here
GGG announced Steam Deck verification on September 24. Its post still lists December 11 PST for free-to-play access and the Duelist; playing before then requires Early Access.
Play now or wait?
Early Access vs. 1.0: what changes for players?
Wait for 1.0 if you want free entry or the Duelist. If you already have access and unfinished league challenges, there is a reason to play before launch. You can register for the launch cosmetics while you wait.
Checked September 24, 2026. The Early Access and full release entries summarize GGG's announcements; the advice for players is our interpretation of those facts.
| Your decision | Early Access now | At full release | What this means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the gameGGG access announcement | Playing before full release requires Early Access. GGG still directs new players to an Early Access key in its September 24 announcement. | Free-to-play access is scheduled for December 11, 2026 (PST). | If free entry is your reason to try PoE 2, wait for 1.0. Buy Early Access only if you want to play before then. |
| Playing the DuelistGGG Forbidden Rites FAQ | The Duelist is not included in update 0.5.5. | GGG confirms the Duelist for the 1.0 launch. | Wait for 1.0 if the Duelist is the class you want. An Early Access key does not make it playable now. |
| Current league challengesGGG league end-date FAQ | Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur run until full release; GGG says players can continue their unfinished Runes of Aldur challenges. | Both leagues are scheduled to end when 1.0 launches. | If you already have access and want those challenge rewards, use the remaining pre-launch time to finish them. |
| Registration cosmeticsGGG registration FAQ | New and existing players can register through GGG's website and confirm their email. | GGG plans to start emailing reward codes after full release. Receiving a code is separate from registering. | Register and confirm now even if you plan to wait to play. Keep the subscription active until code distribution. |
| Steam Deck supportGGG Steam Deck announcement | Steam Deck verification was announced on September 24 and already applies during Early Access. | The same announcement places free-to-play access and the Duelist at the December 11 launch. | You do not need to wait for 1.0 for Steam Deck verification. It is already here; free entry is the later change. |
A league end date does not settle how characters or items will transfer. The cited announcements also do not provide complete 1.0 balance notes. Check those details when GGG publishes them before committing to a launch build.
New class information
The Duelist and swords arrive with 1.0
Waiting to play the Duelist? You'll need to wait for 1.0. GGG revealed the class alongside swords in its full-release presentation. The Forbidden Rites FAQ confirms that the Duelist is not part of update 0.5.5. Watch the official deep dive below for the class and weapon preview.
Read the official deep dive- Class
- Duelist
- Weapon type shown
- Swords
- Availability
- At full release
Road to 1.0
Path of Exile 2 launch timeline
August 25, 2026
Completed milestone
Full release date announced
GGG published the release-date trailer and confirmed the Duelist for 1.0.
Official announcementSeptember 4, 2026 at 1 PM PDT
Completed milestone
Update 0.5.5 and Forbidden Rites started
Forbidden Rites started with eight challenges and a Trial of Chaos overhaul. The Duelist was not included. The launch-week Twitch Drop window ended on September 11.
Official announcementSeptember 21, 2026 (PDT)
Completed milestone
Another registration reward unlocked
GGG confirmed the Soulflame Weapon Effect milestone. Its announcement guarantees at least two cosmetics for confirmed registrants, with three further milestones still to unlock at the time of that post.
Official announcementDecember 11, 2026 (PST)
Scheduled by GGG
Path of Exile 2 1.0
GGG has scheduled the free-to-play launch with the Duelist and swords. The official sources reviewed on September 24 do not specify an exact start time.
Official announcement
Official reward artwork
A closer look at the registration rewards
GGG's milestone image shows the cosmetics in the registration campaign. The first two rewards were unlocked in the September announcement; the remaining three were still tied to future milestones.
Articles and updates
Official Path of Exile 2 1.0 articles
Official GGG source
Path of Exile 2 Full Release Date Announcement
Grinding Gear Games confirms the December 11 full free-to-play launch and the Duelist.
Published August 25, 2026
Official GGG source
Duelist and Swords Deep Dive
The official overview of the Duelist, swords, and the 0.5.5 update on the road to 1.0.
Published August 27, 2026
Official GGG source
Forbidden Rites FAQ
GGG clarifies that the Duelist arrives with 1.0, not update 0.5.5, and explains the pre-launch event timing.
Published August 30, 2026
Official GGG source
Full Release Registration FAQ
Official answers about the registration campaign and milestone rewards tied to the full launch.
Published August 26, 2026
Official GGG source
Forbidden Rites Launch Information
The September 4 start time for patch 0.5.5 on PC and consoles. This event has already started.
Published September 3, 2026
Official GGG source
Full Release Registration: New Reward Unlocked
The Soulflame Weapon Effect joins the registration rewards. GGG also reminds players to confirm their email signup.
Published September 21, 2026
Official GGG source
0.5.5c Patch Notes
Follow-up fixes for the current Early Access update; these are not the 1.0 patch notes.
Published September 17, 2026
Official GGG source
Path of Exile 2 Is Now Steam Deck Verified
GGG's September 24 update confirms Steam Deck verification and reiterates the December 11 free-to-play launch with the Duelist.
Published September 24, 2026
Latest Sanctuary Relic coverage
News
Path of Exile 2 Forbidden Rites Event: Rituals, Wildwood and 0.5.5
Forbidden Rites starts September 4 with campaign Rituals, Wildwood wisps, eight challenges and a large Trial of Chaos rework.
Read article NewsPATH OF EXILE 2 DUELIST REVEALED: SWORDS, STANCES, PARRY AND CYCLONE
The Duelist arrives with PoE 2 1.0 on December 11, bringing swords, stances, parry, Cyclone and buried-blade attacks."
Read article NewsPATH OF EXILE 2 FULLY RELEASES ON DECEMBER 11, 2026
Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access and becomes free to play on December 11. Registration is open now with exclusive community rewards.
Read articleNot announced yet
What we still do not know about 1.0
The official sources reviewed on September 24, 2026 do not settle these details. Treat the videos as previews, not a complete list of launch content.
- The exact Path of Exile 2 1.0 launch hour on December 11.
- The complete 1.0 patch notes and final balance changes.
- The full campaign and endgame scope included on launch day.
- Any additional launch classes beyond the confirmed Duelist.
Quick answers
Path of Exile 2 1.0 FAQ
When is Path of Exile 2 1.0 coming out?
Grinding Gear Games has announced December 11, 2026 (PST) for the full free-to-play release. An exact launch hour has not been announced in the official posts cited here.
What new class is confirmed for Path of Exile 2 1.0?
The Duelist is confirmed for 1.0. GGG has also presented swords alongside the class in its official deep dive.
Is the Duelist included in Path of Exile 2 update 0.5.5?
No. GGG's Forbidden Rites FAQ says the Duelist releases on December 11 with Path of Exile 2 1.0, not with update 0.5.5.
Is Path of Exile 2 free at full release?
Yes. GGG describes the December 11 launch as the full release of its free-to-play action RPG.
Has Forbidden Rites started, and when does it end?
Yes. Update 0.5.5 and Forbidden Rites started on September 4, 2026 at 1 PM PDT. GGG schedules Forbidden Rites and Runes of Aldur to end with the 1.0 launch.
How do I get the full-release registration rewards?
Register on the official Path of Exile 2 website by December 11 PST and confirm the email GGG sends you. New and existing players can participate. GGG says reward codes will be emailed after the full release; signing up alone does not complete registration.
Page update log
What changed in this guide
Added the Early Access vs. 1.0 comparison
- Compared access, the Duelist, league deadlines, registration rewards and Steam Deck support, with a GGG source for each row.
- Updated September's event wording to reflect the Forbidden Rites start, and added the unlocked Soulflame Weapon Effect and Steam Deck announcement.
- Separated the announced release date from the still-unannounced server opening time. The countdown targets the start of December 11 PST.
Last source review: September 24, 2026
Register for GGG's launch updates and rewards
New and returning players can join the official registration campaign. After entering your email, open GGG's confirmation message to finish signing up. Its FAQ says reward codes will be sent after the full release.
