Welcome Back Weekend is returning to World of Warcraft from now to Sunday, 1st Feb, 2026. Returning players will have access to all expansions for free, including The War Within, for a limited time.
During the event, players can experience World of Warcraft without an active expansion purchase, making it an ideal opportunity to re-familiarise with the game ahead of the Midnight expansion release.
Getting Back in the Game
Throughout Welcome Back Weekend, players will be able to:
- Play every World of Warcraft expansion, including The War Within
- Explore the Twilight Ascension pre-patch event, ahead of the Midnight expansion release
- Experience end-game content without purchasing the latest expansion during the event
Revamped Onboarding Experience
The event also highlights World of Warcraft’s updated new and returning player experiences. These systems have been designed to introduce players to gameplay progression, storytelling, and techniques such as interrupting and skyriding. You can check out more about that here:
A Chance to Return Before Launch
With access to all expansions and the pre-patch event for Midnight, Welcome Back Weekend offers a low-commitment way to revisit Azeroth and prepare for the new expansion.
Players interested in returning can log in during the event to experience everything World of Warcraft currently has to offer—no expansion purchase required.
Note: Pre-purchasing the Midnight expansion is still required to access Player Housing.
Here’s Blizzard’s official blog post for the Welcome Back Weekend.
World of Warcraft®: Midnight™ is nearly here—gather your friends and prepare to embark on a new adventure. From January 29 through February 1*, we’re giving all players with inactive World of Warcraft® accounts full access to the game** and all your characters, without a subscription***.
When: January 29 through February 1
Brave adventurers who previously had an active subscription can access all expansions, including The War Within, to play the most recent content—including the Twilight Ascension Pre-Expansion event where you’ll band together to keep the growing Twilight’s Blade cult at bay by disrupting their rituals, and defeating rare enemies across the highlands. Read more about the Twilight Ascension Pre-Expansion event from our previously published article.
Also available during Welcome Back Weekend:
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Harness the Void with the Third Demon Hunter Specialization: Devourer is a new damage-dealing spec for Demon Hunters focuses on delivering new gameplay by using Void magic, features distinct gameplay mechanics, and gains access to the Scarred Hero Talent tree (formerly called Fel Scarred). [Learn More]
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Get a Glow Up with Transmog Updates: Take your transmog game further with the ability to unlock and save full outfit sets across characters for any occasion. The updated transmog system also provides an additional opportunity for adding more customization and self-expression. You’ll be able to unlock and save dozens of outfits. Whether you’re fighting in a dungeon or exploring a new area, you’ll be able to dress for the moment. [Learn More]
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Winds of Mysterious Fortune Are Gusting: Get satchels chock full of valuable and unique items during the Winds of Mysterious Fortune event and take advantage of the Winds of Mysterious Fortune experience buff. Get ready for the launch of Midnight by leveling up new characters, catching up on your alts, and finishing missed content. [Learn More]
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WoW®: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition Pre-Expansion Content is Now Live: Prepare to tread once again through the Dark Portal into the fel-scarred realm of Outland. WoW®: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition launches on February 5 at 3:00 pm PST globally and is included with a WoW Subscription or Game Time. [Learn More]
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Access to all Classic Versions of World of Warcraft: Relive nostalgic adventures in Classic Era, WoW Classic progression (currently Mists of Pandaria Classic), Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary, WoW Classic Hardcore, and WoW Classic Season of Discovery.
Rejoin your guild, rally your Warband, and prepare to explore an entirely new world in Azeroth and get ready for Midnight when it launches on March 2, 2026, at 3 pm PST globally.
*Ability to return to WoW without a subscription ends on February 2, at 10:00 am PDT. Player is responsible for any online connection fees.
**Housing Early Access is only available with pre-purchase of any Midnight edition.
***To be eligible for Welcome Back Weekend, a player must have previously had an active subscription. World of Warcraft Game Time not required during Welcome Back Weekend.
