The Elder Scrolls 6 2026 release date is looking more likely than you'd think

The Elder Scrolls VI is looking increasingly likely to launch in 2026, fans insist. While this might sound like the wishful thinking of gamers desperate for some more Elder Scrolls action, it does actually seem to add up.

Come back in time with me, if you will. You may remember it wasn't that long official Microsoft documents leaked, appearing to confirm a 2026 release window for The Elder Scrolls VI. This was even before Starfield came out, mind you, which got fans pretty excited.

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Now, you could argue that this 2026 release window was merely a placeholder or an internal target. It very likely was, in fact!

However, more recently Bethesda celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls franchise by confirming not only is The Elder Scrolls VI well into development, but it's actually in a playable state.

I don't need to tell you that video game development takes a long-ass time these days, and that just because a video game is in a playable state doesn't mean it's anywhere close to being finished. But this update from Bethesda sure does make the 2026 release window look much more feasible, doesn't it?

Over on The Elder Scrolls VI subreddit fans are increasingly convinced that a late 2026/early 2027 release is on the cards, which is far sooner than many of us would have dared hope for.

This is pure speculation for now, of course, but when you look at everything we currently know for sure about The Elder Scrolls VI (which, again, is not much), 2026 starts to look less like a fever dream and more like a tangible reality.

It is worth noting, however, that after the lukewarm reception Starfield got from fans, most of us can probably agree that Bethesda should take all the time it needs to get this one right.