The FFXIV Evercold release date is now locked in: Final Fantasy XIV's sixth expansion launches on Tuesday, February 23, 2027. Square Enix announced the date during the opening keynote of Fan Festival 2026 in Tokyo, where producer and director Naoki Yoshida also revealed the expansion's second new job, a crossbow-wielding damage dealer called Zephyr.

The date lands about four weeks after the January 2027 window that Square Enix had been promoting. Pre-orders open on November 4, 2026, and buying early unlocks early access a few days before launch.

Official FFXIV Evercold image showing the new Seasons reward system
Evercold introduces Seasons, a redesigned framework for rewards and item level. Image: Square Enix

FFXIV Evercold release date, early access and pre-orders

According to Square Enix's official announcement, these are the key dates:

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  • Pre-orders: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 1:00 a.m. PST (9:00 a.m. GMT).
  • Early access: Friday, February 19, 2027, at 1:00 a.m. PST (9:00 a.m. GMT), tentatively, for players who pre-order.
  • Launch: Tuesday, February 23, 2027.

Pre-orders at participating stores include three bonuses: early access, the Wind-Up Köttr minion and Halone's Earring, an accessory that grants a 30% EXP boost from defeating enemies while leveling jobs to 100. Because the in-game items are delivered right away, you can use the earring to catch up alts before Evercold arrives. Bonuses are added automatically on the Mog Station, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop, while some retailers hand out a code instead.

Square Enix has not published prices yet. Evercold is coming to PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows, Mac and Steam, and it will be the first expansion launch for the Switch 2 version, which arrived in August 2026.

Zephyr: Evercold's second new job

Zephyr is a physical ranged DPS that fires crossbow shots and fights alongside an avian familiar named Nephele. It joins Bastion, the tank job revealed earlier, which wields a weapon called the Skyltborg. Both new jobs are exclusive to Evolved Mode, the new combat system that puts more emphasis on each job's identity. Players who prefer the current rotations can stay in Reborn Mode, but they will not be able to play Zephyr or Bastion there.

The level cap rises from 100 to 110, and the story moves to the Icebound Realm of the Fourth, home to the new city of Fargarth and the realmships Naglfar and Hringhorni.

Official FFXIV Evercold image of the new battle system with Reborn and Evolved modes
Evercold splits combat into Reborn Mode and Evolved Mode, and the new jobs are Evolved-only. Image: Square Enix

Collector's Box and Digital Collector's Edition

The physical Collector's Box includes a special art box with an illustration by Yoshitaka Amano, a Reaper figure of the Warrior of Light, an Ethos metal keychain, a Köttr mini plush and a Tapestry of the Fourth. It does not include a copy of the game or any in-game items. The Digital Collector's Edition adds the Valhallar Odin mount, the Entreat Crystal emote and the Crystal Skyltborg weapon for Bastion.

On Windows and Mac, a limited Collector's Bundle sold only through the Square Enix Store combines both. On PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2 and Steam, the box is sold on its own and the digital edition is pre-ordered separately on each platform's store.

Official FFXIV Evercold image of the expanded character customization
Character creation gets an overhaul in Evercold, along with customizable action animations. Image: Square Enix

Raids, Seasons and other changes coming with Evercold

Endgame players have plenty to look forward to. The keynote showed a new trailer for EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire, the alliance raid crossover, which will also get high-difficulty eight-player versions of reworked bosses. Beyond the Lifestream, a raid series tied to the Final Fantasy VII Remake project, received new artwork from Tetsuya Nomura. Eight-player raids also gain a new Fierce difficulty that sits between Normal and Savage, and a new Ultimate raid is planned.

Beyond raiding, Seasons changes how item rewards and item level are earned, Auto Content Balancing scales duties and field enemies so friends at different levels can play together in new areas, and the main story lets you choose the order of certain zones after a point. Square Enix says further updates starting with Patch 8.1 will expand housing, update PvP and revamp chocobo companions.

Official FFXIV Evercold image illustrating Auto Content Balancing
Auto Content Balancing adjusts enemies to the party so players at different levels can group up. Image: Square Enix

What this means for new and returning players

The extra month gives everyone more time to prepare. Square Enix says Final Fantasy XIV has passed 35 million registered accounts, and newcomers can still start for free: the FFXIV free trial covers everything through Shadowbringers with no playtime limit. If you are deciding whether to commit before Evercold, our guide on whether Final Fantasy XIV is worth playing in 2026 breaks down the subscription, the story and the time investment.

The next milestone is November 4, when pre-orders and prices should go live. We will update this story once Square Enix lists editions and pricing. Until then, our list of the best MMORPGs to play in 2026 has other options to explore while you wait for the Fourth.