New Elder Scrolls Online Content Will Be Free As Seasons Model Debuts April 2 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online is officially entering a new era. After more than a year of transition away from its long running Chapter model, ZeniMax Online Studios has confirmed that the true Seasons model will begin on April 2 2026 with Season Zero titled Dawn and Dusk. The announcement was revealed during a dedicated livestream that outlined one of the most significant structural shifts in the MMORPG’s history.

The most immediate and impactful change is that all new gameplay content will be free starting with Season Zero. For the first time since launch, players will no longer need to purchase Chapters or DLC access to participate in new Trials, dungeons, or major gameplay additions. This move removes long standing barriers between friends and guildmates and positions Elder Scrolls Online as a more unified live service experience.

Another historic milestone arrives with Update 49, which will launch simultaneously on PC and consoles. This marks the first synchronized update in the game’s lifespan and represents a foundational step toward cross play, which the studio confirmed remains a long term goal even if it will take time to fully implement.

Under the new structure, Elder Scrolls Online will operate on four Seasons per year, each lasting three months. Content will still arrive on a quarterly cadence, but ZeniMax Online Studios is intentionally moving away from the rigid dungeon pack and zone rotation that had become predictable. Instead, each Season is designed to feel distinct, allowing the developers to iterate more aggressively on core systems, combat feel, and long term quality improvements.

Every Season includes two key pillars. The first is Tamriel Tomes, a battle pass style progression system. Each Season has a unique Tome available for its full duration. All players have access to a free track that progresses through weekly and seasonal challenges, earning Tome Points to unlock pages and select rewards. Paid premium upgrade options are also available, unlocking additional cosmetic tiers such as mounts, personalities, and visual customizations. Players who choose premium tracks can continue unlocking Tome pages even after the Season ends.

The second pillar is the Gold Coast Bazaar, a new in game store focused entirely on earnable rewards. This system allows players to claim limited time cosmetics they may have missed in the past, including event items and Twitch drops. Purchases are made using Trade Bars, a new currency earned primarily through Tamriel Tomes and regular gameplay.

As part of this overhaul, Event Tickets are being fully retired. Any existing Event Tickets will be converted into Trade Bars, and unlike the old system, Trade Bars have no storage cap. Importantly, Trade Bars cannot be purchased with Crowns and must be earned through play, reinforcing the studio’s emphasis on engagement rather than monetized shortcuts.

The ESO Plus subscription remains unchanged in price and structure, but it gains new relevance within the Seasons model. Subscribers will earn one token for every 12 months of subscription time, which can be redeemed to unlock one Premium Tamriel Tome track of their choice. ESO Plus members also receive a monthly grant of Tome Points and benefit from an accelerated earning rate, making progression smoother across each Season.

Season Zero Dawn and Dusk is anchored by the Night Market, the first ever Event Zone in Elder Scrolls Online. Set in Fargrave, this limited time PvE zone is designed to be significantly more challenging than standard overland content and encourages organic group play. Players align with one of three factions, competing to advance their faction’s progress across the event. Rewards include cosmetics and a brand new player house that, for the first time, includes a Bank inside. The Night Market will be available from April 29 through mid June, with ZeniMax Online Studios open to making it a recurring or permanent feature based on feedback.

Toward the end of Season Zero, the first iteration of the optional Overland difficulty system will also arrive, offering players more control over challenge levels in the open world.

Looking ahead, Season One will introduce a new group Trial called Crimson Veldt, alongside additional story content tied to the Thieves Guild and the Mad Daedric Prince Sheogorath. Season Two will debut Solo Dungeons, starting with Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices, allowing players to experience dungeon narratives alone for the first time.

Beyond content, ZeniMax Online Studios committed to a long term roadmap of visual and combat improvements. These updates aim to reduce floatiness, improve animation clarity, and strengthen class identity. The rollout begins with the Dragonknight class and the two handed skill line, followed by Werewolf updates at the end of Season Zero, Warden changes in Season One, Sorcerer improvements in Season Two, and more to follow.

Player versus Player is also receiving renewed focus. Season Zero introduces the first full PvP progression system in Elder Scrolls Online. Planned improvements include the return of three sided Battlegrounds, fixes for spawn camping on maps like Mor Khazgu, faster traversal options across Cyrodiil, and structural fixes to Alessia, Ash, and Chalman keeps to prevent exploitative slingshotting into inner keeps.

Before Season Zero begins, Update 49 will launch on March 9 2026 with sweeping quality of life updates. These include free skill and attribute respecs directly from the UI, the return of 30 day Guild Trader listings, account wide Outfit Slots, faster Riding Training, bulk allocation of Attribute Points, new mounts purchasable with gold, expanded housing furnishing limits, and extended Antiquities exploration times. ESO Plus members will receive additional housing limit boosts.

The developers also confirmed that Guild Mail and Guild Housing systems are in active development, features long requested by the community and especially valuable for Guild Masters and organized groups.

With free content, systemic redesigns, and a clear commitment to long term iteration, Elder Scrolls Online’s Seasons model represents a fundamental reset for the MMORPG as it moves deeper into its second decade.

Do you see the free Seasons model as the refresh Elder Scrolls Online needed, or do you think removing paid Chapters risks diminishing the sense of major yearly moments?