GGG will continue to bring new leagues and updates to Path of Exile 1 in 2026. With GGG balancing development between PoE 1 and PoE 2, players are eager to know when new content will drop, what each league might bring, and how the schedule will unfold. This article will talk about PoE 1 next league release date and season release schedule in 2026.

PoE 1 New Season Release Date - When Is PoE Next League?

The biggest news for early 2026 is Path of Exile 1 3.28. According to Grinding Gear Games, PoE 3.28 will launch in early March 2026. Based on GGG’s long history of releasing major leagues on Fridays, the most likely exact date is Friday, March 6, 2026. PoE 3.27 (Keepers of the Flame) came out on October 31, 2025 (a Friday), and 3.26 launched on June 13, 2025 (also a Friday). GGG has stuck to this Friday release habit for years, so March 6 makes perfect sense. Additionally, 3.27 started on October 31, 2025, and GGG’s typical league cycle is around four months—early March 2026 fits right into that timeline.

For most of 2025, the team split resources between PoE 1 and PoE 2, leading to some delays and shorter post-launch support for leagues. However, recent updates confirm GGG has assigned a small dedicated team to PoE 1 moving forward. This means PoE 1 will get more focused attention, with better bug fixes, balance changes, and content—starting with League 3.28. In addition, GGG is moving to a fixed 4-month cycle for PoE 1 leagues. This change aims to reduce development stress and ensure higher-quality content, though some players worry it could lead to longer waits between updates. The cycle will also alternate with PoE 2 leagues, creating a pattern of ~1 month of active PoE 1 play followed by ~3 months of PoE 2 focus.

A content reveal livestream for PoE 1 3.28 will be announced in the coming weeks. This stream will show off new league mechanics, balance changes, quality-of-life updates, and more—so mark your calendar for that!

What to Expect in Path of Exile 3.28?

While GGG hasn’t confirmed 3.28’s theme yet, community leaks and discussions give us strong hints:

• A recent leak from a voice actor role advertisement mentions “Saresh, The Weeping Black”—a character with “half-undead voice qualities.” Old PoE lore links Saresh to the Metamorph league (via Metamorph Scarabs), leading many players to believe 3.28 could be Metamorph 2.0. This would revamp the popular Metamorph mechanic (where you combine body parts to create powerful bosses) with new enemies, rewards, and endgame content.
  

• Another popular rumor is a desert-themed league (dubbed “Trial of the Sekhema 2” by fans). This would expand on PoE’s desert lore, adding new maps, bosses, and mechanics centered around ancient tombs or undead armies.

• Foulborn Uniques (introduced in 3.27) will likely go core: These powerful unique items (e.g., The Red Dream, The Grey Wind) have been popular, and GGG has hinted they’ll stay beyond 3.27.

• Quality-of-life updates: Expect small but useful changes, like improved inventory management, faster travel, or better atlas tree customization.

• Balance tweaks: GGG will likely nerf overperforming builds (e.g., Int-stacking, Trypanon) and buff underused skills to keep the meta fresh.

3.28 Patch Notes Wishlists

• New endgame strategies: Many feel the current endgame (e.g., Maven, Eldritch altars) is repetitive. Fans want fresh ways to farm loot, like revamped Unique Maps or a new T17 map tier.

• Caster and DoT build buffs: Chaos DoT, self-cast spells, and underused skills (e.g., Winter Orb, Storm Brand) need love to compete with meta builds like Int-stacking or minions.

• More build diversity: Players want to see nerfs to overused mechanics (e.g., Viper Strike of the Mamba, Int-stacking) and buffs to underrepresented archetypes (e.g., Strength-stacking, Dex-based ward builds).

• Core Content Additions: Many hope 3.27’s “Unstable Breaches” mechanic (multiple overlapping breaches) will be added to the core game, while “Hive/Defend” missions (which feel tedious to some) will not.

When Does PoE 3.27 Keepers of the Flame End?

PoE 1 3.27 Keepers of the Flame launched October 31, 2025, and is expected to end in late February 2026 (right before 3.28’s March launch). There’s still time to finish challenges, farm Foulborn Uniques, or try the limited-time 2.0 Phrecia event.

Path of Exile 1 League Schedule 2026

Based on GGG’s 4-month cycle and alternating PoE 1/PoE 2 schedule, here’s what the 2026 league lineup could look like. Note: These are predictions, and GGG may adjust dates based on development progress.

What to Note About PoE 2026 Schedule/Roadmap:

• Alternating with PoE 2: GGG plans to release PoE 2 leagues 2–3 months after PoE 1 leagues. For example, PoE 2 0.5 is expected in early April 2026 (1 month after 3.28).

• No December PoE 1 League: GGG prioritizes PoE 2 updates for December (the most profitable month for game releases). This means PoE 1 3.30 will launch in early November 2026, with the next league (3.31) coming in March 2027.

• Fixed Dates Over Content Quantity: GGG has stated they’ll stick to fixed release dates, even if it means cutting some content. For example, PoE 2 0.4 lacked planned endgame content because it needed to meet a holiday deadline. Players hope this won’t happen with PoE 1, but it’s a possibility to keep in mind.

How to Prepare for PoE 1 New Leagues?

1. Finish 3.27 Challenges & Farm Currency

• Complete league challenges (earn exclusive rewards like cosmetics).

• Farm Chaos Orbs, Divine Orbs, and Foulborn Uniques (these will retain value in Standard and help you start 3.28 strong).

• Try the Phrecia event’s new ascendancy classes—they may give you ideas for 3.28 builds.

2. Save Currency for League Start

• Save Path of Exile currency to buy starter gear (e.g., Chaos Orbs for rare items, Orb of Alchs for mapping).
  

• Get skill gems and support gems (especially meta ones like Elemental Damage with Attacks or Controlled Destruction).

• Keep Atlas completion rewards (e.g., Maven’s Invitations) to jumpstart 3.28’s endgame.

3. Theorycraft Builds (But Avoid Overpowered Ones)

• Avoid builds that rely on overused mechanics (e.g., Viper Strike of the Mamba, Int-stacking)—these are likely to get nerfed.

• Focus on underused skills or archetypes (e.g., Chaos DoT, Strength-stacking minions) that might get buffed in 3.28.

• Check community forums (like Reddit’s r/pathofexile) for build ideas from streamers and veteran players.

4. Follow GGG’s Announcements

• Subscribing to GGG’s YouTube channel (for the 3.28 reveal livestream).
  

• Following PoE’s official Twitter/X and Reddit page.

• Checking trusted PoE news sites like aoeah.com for leaks, guides, and schedule updates.

5. Join a Guild or Community

League start is more fun with friends! Join a guild or Discord server to:

• Group up for mapping, boss fights, and endgame content.

• Trade items and share tips.

• Stay motivated during long farming sessions.