The roar of the crowd was deafening as my created Superstar, a rookie named “The Anomaly,” stood toe-to-toe with Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania. One problem: The Anomaly’s move-set was…lacking. That’s when it hit me: I hadn’t grinded enough XP to get the good DLC. The annual WWE 2K iteration is gearing up to body slam its way onto our consoles with enhanced environment interactions, creation suite upgrades and, yes, a totally new approach to DLC.
Forget what you knew about WWE 2K DLC. In previous games, you’d buy a pack and *bam*, new Superstars and arenas were yours. WWE 2K26 is changing the game with something called the Ringside Pass. Here’s how it’s going to work.
WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Explained
Think of games like *Fortnite* or *Call of Duty*. See how they gate content via “battle passes?” The WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass is basically that. Instead of traditional DLC packs, there are reward tiers you climb by earning in-game XP. You get 60 Free Tiers and 40 Premium/Paid Tiers loaded with Superstars, customization items, and Virtual Currency (VC). Six Ringside Passes are planned. Dates are below:
- Ringside Pass Season 1: March 6, 2026 (Launch)
- Ringside Pass Season 2: May 4, 2026
- Ringside Pass Season 3: June 29, 2026
- Ringside Pass Season 4: August 24, 2026
- Ringside Pass Season 5: October 19, 2026
- Ringside Pass Season 6: December 14, 2026
Instead of buying content outright, you earn XP across MyRise, MyGM, Exhibition, MyUniverse, and everything else. The reward for your effort? DLC Superstars and goodies for your WWE 2K26 experience. It’s a treadmill, but at least the view is good.
How Do You Grind XP Fast in WWE 2K26?
Maximize your XP gains by focusing on daily and weekly challenges within MyFaction and MyRise. Don’t neglect playing through different match types in Exhibition mode, and be sure to vary the difficulty to find your sweet spot between challenge and reward. Lastly, consistently participating in online events and community creations will yield substantial XP boosts, too. The path is paved with effort.
WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Price
Let’s cut to the chase: Each Ringside Pass will run you $9.99 (€9.30). Buying all six separately totals about $60 (€55). The pricier game editions (Attitude Era and King of Kings) bundle some of these passes. Edition breakdown:
- WWE 2K26 Standard Edition: Free Rewards Track for all Seasons
- WWE 2K26 King of Kings Edition: Premium Ringside Pass for Season 1
- WWE 2K26 Attitude Era Edition: Premium Ringside Pass for Seasons 1-4
- WWE 2K26 Monday Night War Edition: Premium Ringside Pass for Seasons 1-6
Good news: Ringside Passes don’t vanish. If you don’t finish a rewards track before the next pass drops, you can still finish it later. That content is yours to earn at your own pace.
Are WWE 2K26 Ringside Passes Worth It?
Whether the Ringside Pass is worth the cost boils down to your engagement. If you’re a dedicated player who already spends hours in MyRise or building your dream roster, the pass provides a structured way to earn rewards you’d likely want anyway. But, if you only play sporadically, the grind might feel like a job. In that case, maybe save your money.
WWE 2K26 DLC Packs List
WWE 2K26 will also have standalone DLC packs. Here’s a rundown of what’s been announced so far:
| DLC Name | How to Get | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Hendry Pack | WWE 2K26 Pre-Order Bonus | March 6, 2026 |
| King of Kings Edition Pack | Bundled with WWE 2K26 King of Kings Edition | March 6, 2026 |
| Attitude Era Edition Pack | Bundled with WWE 2K26 Attitude Era Edition | March 6, 2026 |
| Monday Night War Edition Pack | Bundled with WWE 2K26 Monday Night War Edition | March 6, 2026 |
| Wrestlemania 42 Pack | Bundled with WWE 2K26 Monday Night War Edition | TBC |
| Ringside Pass Season 1 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 King of Kings, Attitude Era, and Monday Night War Editions | March 6, 2026 |
| Ringside Pass Season 2 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 Attitude Era, and Monday Night War Editions | May 4, 2026 |
| Ringside Pass Season 3 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 Attitude Era, and Monday Night War Editions | June 29, 2026 |
| Ringside Pass Season 4 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 Attitude Era, and Monday Night War Editions | August 24, 2026 |
| Ringside Pass Season 5 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 Monday Night War Edition | October 19, 2026 |
| Ringside Pass Season 6 | $9.99 OR via WWE 2K26 Monday Night War Edition | December 14, 2026 |
That’s the current state of WWE 2K26 DLC. Expect updates as more information becomes available.
Will WWE 2K26 Have Microtransactions?
Yes, like its predecessors, WWE 2K26 will likely include microtransactions, primarily through Virtual Currency (VC). VC can be used to purchase cosmetic items, attribute points for MyCareer superstars, and card packs in MyFaction. The introduction of the Ringside Pass adds another layer, offering rewards that can be accelerated with VC, though the core content is earned through gameplay. So, while you *can* spend more, you don’t necessarily *have* to.
This new system is a gamble. It’s either a way to keep players engaged or a grind that feels like a second job. It’s a bit like trying to build a championship belt out of spare parts – ingenuity or disaster? What do you think: Is this a step in the right direction, or a cheap shot?