WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Leaked Suggests Major Shift Away From Traditional DLC

For the past few editions, 2K, the developers behind WWE games have relied on one simple formula. You buy the game, you buy a season pass, and every few months, new wrestlers will be added to your roster. The WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass leaked recently, and it clearly indicates that 2K Games is ditching that formula and ending that old DLC era.

The company is planning to move to a full-blown Battle Pass system, which will mark the biggest shift we have seen in a decade. Here is everything you need to know about the WWE 2K 26 Ringside Pass.

How Does the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Work?

The working of WWE 2K26 is more or less similar to the modern battle pass systems we have seen in other live service titles. Each season will feature 100 tiers that will be split into two tracks:

• 60 Free Tiers: This will offer in-game currency and basic cosmetic rewards.
• 40 Premium Tiers: It includes new playable Superstars, Legends, Personas, and exclusive customisation items.

The important thing to note is that to access certain wrestlers, players must progress to Tier 40 in the Premium track. This is the only way to get the content that would have been included in a paid DLC pack in previous WWE 2K games.

WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Season Schedule Leaked

As of now, the leaked schedule of WWE 2K26 Season Pass includes the following dates for the seasons:

• Season 1 starts: March 6 (apparent dates of Early pass)
• Season 2 starts: May 4
• Season 3 starts: June 29
• Season 4 starts: August 24
• Season 5 starts: October 19
• Season 6 starts: December 14

Although this should be noted, this schedule has not yet been confirmed by 2K Games; it is based on information available from Insider Gaming. We can, however, certainly conclude that there will be a steady stream of content throughout the season to keep the players engaged.

There is no information on which Superstars or Legends will be released during each season.

Why Are Some Fans Sceptical About This New Battle Pass System?

In terms of engagement, the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass ensures that the game remains relevant long after its launch. This is especially true since the game is updated regularly.

This business model also ensures that the FOMO factor is involved. This is because players who choose to skip a season may never get to experience certain characters unless 2K provides alternative ways of unlocking them in the future.

This is not true for the older DLC packs, since content can no longer be purchased at a later date. Despite all this, there is no denying the fact that WWE 2K26 is shaping up to be one of the biggest in the franchise, with over 400 playable characters.

Whether this change will be an improvement for gamers or a source of frustration will depend on how well the experience feels when the game goes live.

WWE 2K26 will be released worldwide on March 13 for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. If you liked our coverage on the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass leaked, do not miss out on our recent coverage of the WWE 2K26 King of Kings edition.