Square Enix has officially announced the dates for the upcoming Final Fantasy 14 Fan Fest events, revealing venues in California, Berlin, and Tokyo between April and October 2026. This announcement indicates that the next expansion, following the recent Dawntrail, might not arrive until early 2027. Traditionally, expansions are released a few months after the Japanese Fan Fest, and with only two major patches expected before the next expansion, players face a longer wait than in previous cycles. The new installment of the MMORPG has undergone a graphical upgrade, and Square Enix is also working to accommodate new platforms like Xbox and potentially the Switch 2. Meanwhile, player engagement appears to be dwindling as some fans shift back to World of Warcraft in anticipation of its upcoming expansion.

When will the next Final Fantasy XIV expansion be released?

The next Final Fantasy XIV expansion is expected to launch in early 2027, following the release of two upcoming patches before the Japanese Fan Fest in October 2026.

Final Fantasy XIV, a massively popular MMORPG developed by Square Enix, has enjoyed a substantial player base since its relaunch as A Realm Reborn in 2013. It features cooperative gameplay elements, engaging storytelling, and a blend of traditional and modern MMORPG mechanics. With over 30 million registered accounts, the game has gained recognition for its community-driven events, such as the Fan Fest, which celebrate game milestones and offer insights into future developments. The anticipation for the next expansion reflects the game's ongoing evolution within the competitive MMORPG landscape.