The Elder Scrolls Online fully shifts to Seasons, with new story, reworks, and quests across 2026 — and most new content will now be free

The Elder Scrolls Online, a long-standing game from Bethesda Softworks, is moving to a seasonal format. ZeniMax Online Studios tested this approach last year, and now it’s becoming the standard way to add new content – including quests and areas – to the game with regular seasons.

I recently heard game director Nick Giacomini and executive producer Susan Kath talk about the plans for The Elder Scrolls Online in 2026 during a Q&A before their livestream on Wednesday.

As I understand it, going forward, most new content for the game will be available at no extra cost to anyone who owns the core game or is subscribed to services like Xbox Game Pass. Also, they’re planning to integrate older expansions directly into the base game as the seasonal content releases continue.

According to Per Giacomini, the team is prioritizing making the game robust and adaptable, and they’re committed to being much more open with players about updates and future plans. The game will be divided into seasons, each lasting three months. The first season, launching this spring, will integrate content from the Dark Brotherhood, Imperial City, Orsinium, and Thieves Guild into the core game.

Season 0 introduces a temporary event called the Night Market. If players enjoy it, the event could be extended. It’s a group activity where you can help different factions and earn unique rewards, like a brand new house!

We’re also delivering on promised updates, beginning with Season 0 and the Dragonknight class. The Two-Handed weapon skills and the Werewolf ability will both receive major improvements to balance and appearance.

Over the next two seasons, players can look forward to new adventures, including story quests and content focused on the Thieves Guild. There will also be a questline featuring the Daedric Prince Sheogorath. Season 2 will integrate the Greymoor expansion – which brought the Skyrim region to the game – into the main storyline. Throughout these seasons and beyond, we’ll also be making improvements to game balance and updating visuals.

The team at ZeniMax Online Studios is developing cross-play functionality, but it won’t be available for a while.

The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing a new way to earn rewards called Tamriel Tomes. It works like a battle pass: by completing weekly and seasonal challenges, players will unlock pages filled with goodies like special armor, weapon styles, and other items. You’ll also earn Seals of Endeavour.

The Elder Scrolls Online can be played on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Mac. Plus, it’s part of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

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2026-01-08 15:45