When WWE 2K26 releases in March, one of the biggest changes coming to the game is how DLC is being handled. Gone is the traditional DLC pack format where players would buy a pack and immediately receive access to a group of rosters, new moves, and more. In its place is the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass.
Similar to battle passes you see in other games, the Ringside Pass is a tiered system that offers players unlockable as they play.
With it being a new feature for players, there was, understandably, a lot of confusion regarding how it’ll work for unlocks. Will wrestlers be unlocked right away? Can you share them on the same console? What modes can be played to progress?
In a post on the game’s official website, 2K Sports clarified everything about how the Ringside Pass will work this year.
How Does The WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Work?
The WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass will consist of two tiers, free and premium. The free track will have 60 rewards per season across 40 tiers with some rewards including multiple pieces of content. The free pass will include things like VC, MyFACTION Packs, MFP, and Island Banners, among other items.
Should you pay for the premium tier, you’ll have another 60 rewards to unlock across the 40 tiers. The premium track will consist of wrestlers, CAS parts, Island taunts, Personas, and more.
The Ringside Passes will release in seasons. There will be six seasons total, with the first starting on March 6 when the game launches.
When Do The Ringside Pass Seasons Release?
As mentioned, there will be six seasons during the games life cycle. While 2K Sports hasn’t confirmed the specific dates of when all of the seasons will launch, they did announce the months
- Season 1 – March 6
- Season 2 – April
- Season 3 – June
- Season 4 – July
- Season 5 – September
- Season 6 – October
Details on the wrestlers and other unlockables included will be announced as the dates get closer.
Do WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Seasons Expire?
Unlike other game battle passes, content for a season doesn’t expire when a season ends. Should a new season start before you finish unlocking everything in the prior season, you won’t lose a thing. Instead, you have the ability to either continue unlocking Season 1 content or jump straight into Season 2.
You’ll be able to bounce around to the season you want to work towards as you see fit.
What Modes Count For Ringside Pass Progression
Earning XP for your Ringside Pass can happen in a variety of modes. While custom online lobbies won’t count towards progression, you can play the following modes to earn XP:
- Play Now
- MyRise
- Showcase
- Universe
- MyGM
- MyFACTION
- The Island
How To Unlock Ringside Pass Wrestlers In WWE 2K26
Each Premium tier of the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass will include a number of new wrestlers to unlock. Unlike past games, however, you won’t get access to the new wrestlers right away.
When the new season starts, Premium owners will unlock the first new wrestler right away. The rest of the wrestlers will be unlocked within the first 20 tiers. Other wrestlers, like Personas, will then be unlocked from level 21-40.
Can You Unlock Everything At Once
Should you not want to grind and just unlock things right away, WWE 2K26 will offer Premium owners the ability to buy optional tier skips. There’s no word as to how much those will cost, however.
What do you think of the Ringside Pass system in WWE 2K26? Leave your thoughts down in the comments and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming Discord.
Mike has been covering the gaming industry since 2012, and has reported on some of the largest events in the industry while also working as an investigative reporter. Outside of…
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