The Last of Us gets free PS5 download, more announcements teased for next week

The Last of Us gamers have been treated to a new free download on the PlayStation 5, and more is coming in the next few days.

The Last of Us Day is an annual celebration of the series that was previously known as Outbreak Day until 2020, which Naughty Dog often takes as an opportunity to make announcements related to the franchise.

These announcements often come in the form of digital and physical goodies related to The Last of Us, as well as upcoming community events and interesting collaborations.

Naughty Dog has now announced that The Last of Us Day 2026 will be celebrated on September 28, but it has already released a free digital download for players on PS5 to take advantage of.

This comes in the form of a free animated wallpaper which PS5 users can add to their welcome hub.

“For the first time ever, a The Last of Us-themed background is being added to the PlayStation Welcome Hub. Log in to your PlayStation account and download it to see how our team has brought dynamic elements to this iconic key art,” reads a post on X (formerly Twitter) from Naughty Dog.

The wallpaper features game art from both The Last of Us: Part I and The Last of Us: Part II Remastered side-by-side, featuring both versions of Ellie as well as Joel and Abby.

Naughty Dog has also announced that more announcements will be taking place on Monday.

More The Last of Us announcements are coming next week

“We can't wait to celebrate with you, but we'll be saving our #TLOUDay festivities for Monday, September 28. Expect a partnership announcement, a very cool collaboration, digital surprises, and more. Don't forget to tune in to our No Return charity stream on Twitch,” the company wrote in a separate post.

Previous The Last of Us Day announcements include the likes of new merchandise reveals, community contests, and other teasers for upcoming projects. However, I’d temper your expectations for a The Last of Us Part III announcement, as that is very unlikely to happen (though, we’d certainly welcome the surprise, Sony!).

Read More: PlayStation cancels another The Last of Us project as Naughty Dog fans struggle to catch a break

Aside from this, HBO also decided to mark the occasion by making another set of casting announcements for The Last of Us Season 3.

The third season will feature award-winning actor John Goodman playing a character named Joey. Meanwhile, The Last of Us Part II actors Ian Alexander and Laura Bailey will also appear in the next season.

Alexander, who played Lev in The Last of Us Part II, will play a character named Paco. Bailey, best known for her role as Abby in The Last of Us Part II, will play Elizabeth, the leader of the Seraphites.

This isn’t the first time that HBO has reused actors from The Last of Us games to play characters in the show. Merle Dandridge and Jeffrey Wright reprised their roles as Marlene and Isaac, while Ashley Johnson who voices Ellie in the games appeared as the character’s mother in the live-action series.

The Last of Us Season 3 is due to air on HBO in 2027.