Path of Exile 2 at ExileCon 2026 and the 1.0 Release (Dec 11): What We Know

Path of Exile 2 is about to have its busiest five weeks yet. ExileCon 2026 runs in Auckland on November 7–8 (NZT), and the full 1.0 release lands on December 11 (PST).

This guide gives you the confirmed dates, when to tune in from your time zone, what Grinding Gear Games has actually promised for the show, and how to use the time before launch so you're not starting 1.0 from zero.

When and where is ExileCon 2026?

ExileCon 2026 takes place on November 7 and 8 (NZT) in Auckland, New Zealand. Because of the date line, that's November 6 and 7 for players in the Americas.

Tickets went on sale earlier this year, and GGG released one last, very limited batch in October. If you're not flying to New Zealand, the stream is the way to go.

How to watch the keynote

The whole event streams free on both days. The broadcast starts at 12 PM PST, and the keynote with the big announcements begins at 1 PM PST on day one.

• Day 1: November 6, 12 PM PST (3 PM EST). Keynote at 1 PM PST (4 PM EST).
• Day 2: November 7, 12 PM PST (3 PM EST).
• Channels: twitch.tv/pathofexile and the official YouTube channel.
• Co-streams: allowed, so your favourite streamer's channel works too.

What's confirmed for the show

GGG has promised its "latest announcements" in a keynote, plus a full schedule of talks and live content. The detailed schedule isn't out yet; GGG says it's coming closer to the event, and the only word on teasers so far is "Soon."

• Keynote: the big announcements, streamed live.
• Developer panels: talks from the team behind both games.
• Race finals: finales for both Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2, decided through this autumn's qualifier races.
• Live podcasts: with Path of Exile content creators.
• Twitch Drops: new ones for the event, with details still to come.

Anything beyond this list is a rumour until the keynote. We'll update this post once GGG shows its hand.

Path of Exile 2 1.0: what we know

Path of Exile 2 leaves Early Access on December 11 (PST) as a fully free-to-play action RPG. That's roughly five weeks after ExileCon.

• The Duelist: the long-awaited class arrives with the full release. It was revealed in a trailer at gamescom Opening Night Live.
• Free-to-play: no Early Access key needed anymore.
• Launch rewards: signing up at pathofexile2.com/register gets you release news and milestone rewards on the road to launch.
• Early Access Supporter Packs: leaving the store in a few weeks, replaced by five new packs. If you want one of the old ones, now's the time.

GGG hasn't shared the rest of the 1.0 feature list yet. Expect most of it at the ExileCon keynote.

What to play before December 11

The live content right now is Forbidden Rites. It's an event league with a fresh economy, Ritual encounters in every campaign area and boss Rituals that stack up across each Act.

• Forbidden Rites: Standard, Hardcore and SSF versions, with cosmetic challenge rewards you can only earn in this league.
• Trial of Chaos: reworked, and you can now leave mid-run and come back later.
• Expedition: now part of the core Atlas, from Act 4 onward.
• Runes of Aldur: still running if you want to finish its challenges.

Tips to get ready for launch

1. Register for 1.0 now. The milestone rewards unlock as more players sign up, and it costs nothing.
2. Block out the keynote. November 6, 1 PM PST. Set a reminder before the clocks change.
3. Grab Drops during the race finals. The event will have new Twitch Drops.
4. Practise the campaign in Forbidden Rites. Ritual rewards include items that help you level through the campaign, which is useful practice for a fast 1.0 start.
5. Finish the challenges you care about. Forbidden Rites rewards are league-only.

Short on time before launch? CarrySquad's PoE 2 leveling service can push a character through the campaign while you watch the keynote.

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