# Final Fantasy XIV: Why Players Are Coming Back in 2026
**Final Fantasy XIV never truly disappeared, but Square Enix's MMORPG is experiencing several particularly visible waves of returning players in 2026.** After a quieter period following Dawntrail, players have returned to Eorzea several times this year, driven by updates 7.5 and 7.56, the return of popular events, and a series of improvements aimed at both veterans and players who had let their subscriptions expire.
Steam data shows several returns around content releases, but it covers only part of the community: Final Fantasy XIV is also available through its launcher, PlayStation and Xbox. The latest complete month available, October, marks a sharp decline after the spring and summer rebounds. Detailed statistics appear further down.
To put these developments into the wider context of the genre, also see our feature on the future of MMORPGs and our analysis of World of Warcraft in 2026, another example of a long-running MMORPG.
## Why are players returning to Final Fantasy XIV?
The answer essentially comes down to a buildup of content.
Square Enix released **patch 7.5, Trail to the Heavens, on April 28, 2026**, a major Dawntrail update that adds a new part of the main story, a new dungeon, a new trial, and the third part of the Echoes of Vana'diel alliance raid, inspired by Final Fantasy XI.
Since then, several intermediate updates have continued to keep the MMO supplied with new content.
The result is typical of how Final Fantasy XIV works: some players suspend their subscriptions between major updates, then return once enough content has accumulated.
## Patch 7.5 reignited activity in spring
Official banner for patch 7.5, Trail to the Heavens. Source: Square Enix, The Lodestone.
The timing is particularly telling.
Patch 7.5 was released on **April 28, 2026**. The rebound subsequently observed on Steam coincides with its release schedule, although this is not enough to prove that the update was the only cause. Detailed monthly averages appear in the statistics section below.
The official patch 7.5 notes detail these additions.
Trail to the Heavens added, among other things:
- new main scenario quests;
- the **The Clyteum** dungeon;
- the **The Unmaking** trial;
- **Windurst: The Third Walk**, the third alliance raid in the Final Fantasy XI collaboration;
- a new Crystalline Conflict arena, **Archeia Harmonias**;
- numerous improvements to the glamour and housing systems.
Square Enix subsequently released patches 7.51, 7.55 and 7.56 to spread new features across several months. The official patch 7.56 notes notably confirm the arrival of the Beastmaster. Patch **7.57**, released on October 13, then introduced matchmaking between Japanese logical data centers in the same physical region and brought various adjustments. The official patch 7.57 notes provide more details.
## The Beastmaster's return gives players another reason to come back
One of the major additions during the 7.5 period was also the **Beastmaster**, a new limited job added with patch 7.56.
It joins the Blue Mage in a special category of jobs that do not follow exactly the same rules as traditional classes.
Patch 7.56 also adds the continuation of the Trail to the Heavens main story and new battles related to the Beastmaster.
For a former player who had not touched Dawntrail for several months, the amount of content now available is therefore much greater than what is available at the launch of a single update.
## Shadowbringers is now included in the Starter Edition
This is probably one of the most interesting changes for new players and those looking to return with an existing account.
With the arrival of patch 7.5, **Shadowbringers joined the Final Fantasy XIV Starter Edition**.
Existing owners of the Starter Edition automatically received access rights to the expansion.
This means the entry-level version now provides access to an even larger portion of the story before players need to purchase the subsequent expansions.
Shadowbringers also remains one of the expansions most appreciated by a large part of the FFXIV community, making this development particularly interesting for players who had previously stopped playing.
## Square Enix even offered a free return period
Square Enix accompanied patch 7.5 with a **free login campaign** aimed specifically at former players.
From May 15 to June 14, 2026, eligible accounts whose subscriptions had been inactive for at least 30 days could return and play for free for four days.
The promotion arrived precisely when Steam activity was experiencing one of its biggest rebounds of the year.
This was probably no coincidence: allowing former subscribers to try the new content for free significantly lowers the barrier to returning.
## The Final Fantasy XV collaboration ended on October 13
Official artwork for the FINAL FANTASY XIV × FINAL FANTASY XV collaboration. Source: Square Enix, The Lodestone.
In fall 2026, Square Enix brought this nostalgic collaboration back into the spotlight.
The **Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XV** collaboration ran from September 24 to October 13, 2026. It has therefore ended. Square Enix's official announcement specifies its dates.
The *A Nocturne for Heroes* event notably offered:
- the **Regalia Type-G** mount, capable of carrying four characters;
- Prince Noctis's outfit;
- Noctis's hairstyle;
- several orchestrion rolls.
The Regalia Type-G was one of the edition's notable rewards, thanks to its ability to carry four characters.
Players who have already completed the event can replay it when it returns in the future, depending on Square Enix's seasonal rerun system.
## The Fall Guys collaboration ended on October 27
Official artwork for the FINAL FANTASY XIV × Fall Guys collaboration. Source: Square Enix, The Lodestone.
The collaboration with Fall Guys ran from **October 7 to 27, 2026**, and has now ended. Square Enix says it may return at irregular intervals. The official dates are available on The Lodestone.
The Gold Saucer's special activity allowed players to take part in Fall Guys-inspired courses and earn various rewards:
- outfits;
- mount;
- portrait elements;
- cosmetic items.
This temporary return gave occasional players an additional reason to log back in.
The two collaborations overlapped for several days.
Between October 7 and 13, players could enjoy **both collaborations** simultaneously.
## All Saints' Wake continues until November 2
As of **November 1, 2026**, **All Saints' Wake** is still ongoing: the event began on October 15 and ends on November 2. The official FINAL FANTASY XIV blog provides the schedule.
October's calendar therefore brought together several events:
- Final Fantasy XV collaboration, ended October 13;
- Fall Guys collaboration, ended October 27;
- All Saints' Wake, from October 15 to November 2.
This succession of events allows Square Enix to maintain regular interest between two major content updates.
## Regional matchmaking is now active in Japan
This technical change is now in place on Japanese servers.
Since maintenance ended on **October 13, 2026**, **matchmaking across the same physical region** has allowed players from Japan's four logical data centers — Elemental, Gaia, Mana and Meteor — to group together, even when they are not on the same logical data center.
The feature therefore expands the player pool for matchmaking and party-finding. The official announcement concerns Japan and sets no schedule for other regions. Deployment details on The Lodestone.
For an MMORPG, this change can reduce waiting times and make it easier to form parties for certain content.
## More content, but also plenty of quality-of-life improvements
Players are not returning solely because of new raids or story content.
Square Enix devoted a significant part of patch 7.5 to quality-of-life changes.
Among the officially documented additions are:
- an increased number of furnishings that can be placed in housing;
- dye consolidation;
- improvements to the personal dresser;
- more equipment that can be converted into glamour;
- changes to group poses;
- various interface improvements.
These changes are often less spectacular than a new raid, but they directly affect players who spend a great deal of time customizing their character or home.
## Is Final Fantasy XIV really getting its players back?
Yes, but the figures need to be put into perspective.
Steam Charts statistics show very clear waves of activity in 2026. They measure concurrent players on Steam, not the entire FFXIV community: players using the Square Enix launcher, PlayStation and Xbox are not counted.
| Month 2026 | Average Steam players | Change |
|---|---:|---:|
| March | 14,553 | -12.8% |
| April | 16,644 | +14.4% |
| **May** | **23,771** | **+42.8%** |
| June | 20,840 | -12.3% |
| July | 18,005 | -13.6% |
| **August** | **21,264** | **+18.1%** |
| September | 19,781 | -7.0% |
| **October** | **15,018** | **-24.1%** |
Complete monthly averages for concurrent Steam players from March to October 2026. Source: Steam Charts. Players on the Square Enix launcher, PlayStation and Xbox are not included.
The data therefore clearly shows **significant returns around certain content periods**, but not constant growth.
The complete monthly data shows a 24.1% decline in October compared with September. The spring and summer rebounds therefore do not represent continuous growth: they are part of return cycles linked to the content schedule, without establishing a causal relationship on their own.
The phenomenon is more subtle — and ultimately quite characteristic of Square Enix's MMO.
Players leave, wait for several patches, then return when they feel there is enough new content to discover. To compare it with other historic titles in the genre, also check out our selection of classic MMORPGs still worth playing in 2026.
## Why does this model work so well for FFXIV?
Naoki Yoshida has always presented Final Fantasy XIV as an MMORPG that players are not required to play continuously.
The patch-based structure naturally encourages cycles.
A player can complete the main story, cancel their subscription for several weeks or months, then return for:
- a new part of the story;
- a raid;
- an Ultimate;
- a new job;
- a collaboration;
- a seasonal event;
- new rewards.
In 2026, Square Enix appears to be multiplying these return points.
And the current period brings several of them together at once.
## Should you return to Final Fantasy XIV in 2026?
For someone who stopped playing just after Dawntrail or even earlier, the answer is much more compelling today than it was a few months ago. To resume the story without losing track, also see our FFXIV guide to catching up with the story.
Since then, Final Fantasy XIV has received:
- several major updates;
- new main story progression;
- new raids;
- Echoes of Vana'diel;
- new activities;
- the Beastmaster;
- numerous quality-of-life changes;
- several temporary collaborations.
Starter Edition owners also now have access to Shadowbringers.
The real question may therefore not be whether Final Fantasy XIV "has come back."
**The MMO never really left.**
It is instead its players who regularly return when Eorzea gives them enough new reasons to log back in.
And at the end of 2026, Square Enix is giving them plenty once again.
## FAQ — Final Fantasy XIV in 2026
### Is Final Fantasy XIV still active in 2026?
Yes. Final Fantasy XIV continues to receive updates, events and new quests. As of November 1, 2026, patch 7.57 is the latest update released.
### Are players really returning to FFXIV?
Steam averages show rebounds in spring and summer, followed by a decline in October. These figures cover only concurrent Steam players, not the total community.
### What is the current Final Fantasy XIV patch?
As of November 1, 2026, the latest released patch is **7.57**. It follows the major 7.5 update, *Trail to the Heavens*, released on April 28, 2026.
### Can you return to Final Fantasy XIV for free?
Square Enix sometimes organizes free login campaigns for former players. The campaign linked to patch 7.5 ran from May 15 to June 14, 2026, and is no longer active.
### Is the Final Fantasy XV event still available?
No. The 2026 edition of the collaboration ended on **October 13**.
### Is the Fall Guys collaboration still available?
No. The 2026 edition ran from October 7 to **October 27**. Square Enix says it may return at irregular intervals.
### Is regional matchmaking active in all regions?
No. Since October 13, 2026, regional matchmaking has been active in Japan between Elemental, Gaia, Mana and Meteor. Square Enix has not announced a schedule for other regions.
### Is Shadowbringers included in the Starter Edition?
Yes. Since patch 7.5, Shadowbringers has been included in the Final Fantasy XIV Starter Edition.
### Was Final Fantasy XIV undergoing maintenance for several months?
No. Contrary to what an earlier version of this article stated, **Final Fantasy XIV was not placed in continuous maintenance from December 2024 to April 2026**. The game continued operating and receiving its regular updates. Maintenance periods are temporary and generally related to patches and technical operations.
## Sources
- Official patch 7.5 notes — The Lodestone
- Official patch 7.56 notes — The Lodestone
- Official patch 7.57 notes — The Lodestone
- 2026 free login campaign — Square Enix
- Final Fantasy XV collaboration returns — The Lodestone
- Fall Guys collaboration returns — The Lodestone
- Matchmaking across a physical region in Japan — The Lodestone
- All Saints' Wake 2026 — official FINAL FANTASY XIV blog
- FINAL FANTASY XIV Steam Charts statistics
**Data verified on November 1, 2026.**
