PoE 2 Roadmap 2026: 0.5 League, New Classes, Free To Play & Full Release Date

Path of Exile 2 continues to draw attention as it moves further through Early Access. Players are eager for updates, especially as the ARPG community looks ahead to 2026. There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding new content, future classes, and when the game will finally reach full release. Here’s a thorough look at what’s coming for PoE 2 in 2026, using the latest updates and community discussions.

PoE 2 Roadmap 2026

Path of Exile 2 launched in December 2024, arriving with a comically large passive tree, plenty of skills, and a nice mix of classes, including the Ranger, Warrior, Sorceress, Monk, Mercenary, and Witch. In the months since, the Huntress was introduced in 0.2, and the Druid joined the roster in 0.4. Update 0.3 added a fourth campaign Act and a sort of temporary Act 5 to help players get to endgame. As of now, there are eight classes, five acts, and asynchronous trade is available. Still, there’s much more to come.

Grinding Gear Games has decided against providing strict roadmaps after missing goals in the past. One comment expressed that this is not the company that can give you roadmaps, they literally couldn't do what they have promised for 2 leagues out of 4. Despite this, development continues, with seasonal leagues arriving roughly every four months and each new league bringing major gameplay updates and expansions.

PoE 2 New 0.5 League Release Date - When is the Next New Season 5 League?

The release dates for previous leagues have been:
0.1 - December 6, 2024
0.2 - April 4, 2025
0.3 - August 29, 2025
0.4 - December 12, 2025

Considering GGG's plan to release leagues every 4 months, we can assume that the league will be released in early April, but between 0.2 and 0.3, almost 5 months passed. The most recent official communication indicates that rather than naming a specific date again, the head did not want to commit this time and only revealed that if it were up to him, Path of Exile 2 would be fully released in 2026. However, plans have changed and the release has recently been postponed to March 2026. The next expansion, Update 0.5, will be released then.

This means that Update 0.5 is now scheduled for March or April 2026, continuing the established pattern of seasonal content updates.

PoE 2 Next New Classes in 2026

Duelist, Templar, Shadow, Marauder – Coming in 2026

As far as classes yet to be added ahead of the game being ‘complete’, we’re still waiting on the Duelist, Templar, Shadow, and Marauder. Jonathan Rogers, Game Director, told PCGamesN that while he’s “pretty confident” the game will launch in 2026, he’s not certain all twelve classes will be there when it does. He explained, I don’t think it’s as important to have all of the classes as having the full campaign and the endgame good and balanced, right? And all this other stuff. I think the game could survive with ten classes as opposed to 12, for example, or maybe 11 – I think [that would be] enough to be fair to say that it’s a full game experience there.

In the same interview, Rogers mentioned he’d want swords to be in the game by version 1.0, which suggests the Duelist will make the cut. Given how deep Grinding Gear Games goes into each class, though, they might not arrive before version 1.0.

PoE 2 Free To Play & 1.0 Full Release Date

Path of Exile 2 has been free to play since its Early Access launch, continuing the business model established by the original game. The only monetization comes from cosmetics and optional stash tabs, with no pay-to-win elements.

Path of Exile 2 went into Early Access on Steam in December 2024 and was originally supposed to remain there for a maximum of one year, until the end of 2025. However, plans have changed and the release has recently been postponed to March 2026. The head, Jonathan Rogers, recently explained to MeinMMO that they are currently no longer targeting March 2026 for the release of Path of Exile 2. Instead, the next expansion, Update 0.5, will be released then.

Rather than naming a specific date again, the head did not want to commit this time and only revealed that if it were up to him, Path of Exile 2 would be fully released in 2026. However, whether this date can be met again depends on many factors, and currently, there is a lack of new classes as well as content for the single-player mode.

At this stage, the most realistic estimate places the 1.0 release in the second half of 2026, possibly in August. The game may reach 1.0 with not all twelve classes present, a shift from earlier plans.

PoE 2 Seasonal Content Update Schedule in 2026

Leagues last around 3 months, suggesting we can expect another in February, but with an eventual 1.0 release date still planned for 2026, the developer may have to break from releasing leagues and major patches simultaneously. The pattern so far has been four-month intervals, although there have been occasional delays. Each league is more than just an economy reset. Major mechanics are introduced, such as the Druid’s multi-form play in 0.4, or new endgame and crafting systems. Leagues like Rise of the Abyss have even gone “core,” remaining in the game after the season ends.

Future updates are expected to continue this approach, with a new league and major content drop every few months. The next league, 0.5, is expected to land around March or April, with further expansions and possibly the full 1.0 release to follow later in the year.

With more classes, campaign content, and an endgame overhaul still planned, Path of Exile 2 is set for a busy 2026. The exact launch date for 1.0 remains uncertain, but regular seasonal updates and new features are assured as the game approaches full release. Players can expect more content, free to play access, and a steady stream of leagues throughout the year.