WWE 2K26 replaces the traditional DLC model with the Ringside Pass, a battle pass system that fundamentally changes how you unlock new wrestlers, cosmetics, and other post-launch content. Instead of purchasing character packs outright, you'll earn rewards by playing across nearly all game modes and progressing through seasonal tiers.
Quick answer: The Ringside Pass features 100 tiers per season (60 free, 40 premium). Six seasons roll out from March through December 2026, each priced at $9.99 individually or bundled with special editions. You unlock content by earning Ringside Experience Points (RXP) through gameplay.
How the Ringside Pass Works
Each season contains 100 total tiers split into a free track and a premium track. The free track offers 60 tiers with cosmetics, customization items, and other rewards available to all players. The premium track adds 40 additional tiers locked behind the pass purchase, including four brand-new playable wrestlers per season.
You earn RXP by playing matches across most game modes—MyRise, MyGM, Universe Mode, and Exhibition matches all grant experience. Wins grant more RXP than losses, and completing challenges provides bonus progression. Only online lobbies exclude you from earning RXP toward the pass.
Unlike some battle pass systems, the Ringside Pass does not expire. If a new season launches while you're still working through an earlier one, you can switch back and forth between seasons at any time. Only one pass can be active simultaneously, so you'll need to equip whichever season you want to progress through.
DLC Characters and Unlock Timing
Each season includes four new playable wrestlers distributed across the premium tiers. The first character unlocks automatically when you purchase the pass. The remaining three characters are spread within the first 20 tiers, meaning you'll need to grind a moderate amount of gameplay to access all four wrestlers per season.
Additional character variants called Personas typically appear in tiers 21–40, giving you cosmetic versions of existing wrestlers alongside the new base roster additions. With six seasons planned, you're looking at a minimum of 24 new wrestlers available through the Ringside Pass system.
Seasonal Release Schedule and Pricing
Six Ringside Pass seasons are planned throughout 2026. Season 1 launches on March 6 alongside the game itself. Subsequent seasons arrive in May, June, July, September, and October. Each individual season costs $9.99, or approximately $60 if purchased separately across the full year.
| Season | Release Date | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | March 6, 2026 | $9.99 |
| Season 2 | May 2026 | $9.99 |
| Season 3 | June 2026 | $9.99 |
| Season 4 | July 2026 | $9.99 |
| Season 5 | September 2026 | $9.99 |
| Season 6 | October 2026 | $9.99 |
Game Edition Bundles
Special editions of WWE 2K26 include Ringside Pass seasons bundled at no extra cost. The King of Kings Edition ($99.99) includes Season 1 only. The Attitude Era Edition ($129.99) includes Seasons 1 through 4. The Monday Night War Edition ($149.99)—the premium tier—includes all six seasons, effectively giving you every planned DLC wrestler for the year.
The standard edition ($69.99) grants access to the free tiers of all seasons but requires separate purchase of premium passes if you want the exclusive characters. Pre-ordering any edition on PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC also includes the WWE 2K25 base game for free.
Season 1 Content Details
Season 1 features four new DLC wrestlers, two new Personas, two new arenas, and two new championships. The free tier includes in-game unlockable superstars and legends previously available through the Supercharger system in past games, so you're not locked out of classic wrestlers entirely if you skip the premium pass.
Beyond wrestlers and cosmetics, the pass distributes Virtual Currency (VC), MyFaction card packs, and gear for The Island mode. This layered reward structure encourages engagement across multiple game modes rather than concentrating all value in wrestler unlocks alone.
Pre-Order and Edition-Exclusive Content
Pre-ordering the standard edition grants the Joe Hendry Pack, containing the wrestler Joe Hendry, a cosmetic shirt, a MyFaction card, and an Island emote. This is the only separate post-launch DLC pack announced so far; all other character additions flow through the Ringside Pass system.
Special editions also include themed packs. The King of Kings Edition adds Triple H '98 and Stephanie McMahon '00. The Attitude Era Edition adds The Rock '99, Kane '98, and Chyna '97. The Monday Night War Edition adds Macho Man Randy Savage '98, Rowdy Roddy Piper '98, and Shawn Michaels (DX), plus the WCW Thunder '98 arena. The Monday Night War Edition also grants the WrestleMania 42 Pack post-launch, which includes the WrestleMania 42 arena and three Superstar Persona cards.
The Ringside Pass represents a shift toward seasonal, progression-based content delivery rather than fixed character packs. If you plan to engage with post-launch wrestlers throughout 2026, the Monday Night War Edition provides the most complete access upfront, while the standard edition lets you sample free content before committing to individual season purchases.
