FFXIV Evercold release date set for February 23

The FFXIV Evercold release date is February 23, 2027, with early access on February 19 and pre-orders from November 4. Zephyr and bonuses explained.

FireGhost

October 31, 2026, 09:50 AM4 min read

In brief

AI summary

Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold launches on February 23, 2027, with pre-order early access beginning February 19.
Zephyr, a physical ranged DPS job using a crossbow and bird companion, joins the previously announced Bastion.
Fan Festival announcements included the Fierce raid difficulty, upcoming benchmark, system updates, and more than 35 million registered accounts.

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The Evercold release date is official: Final Fantasy XIV's next expansion launches on February 23, 2027, with early access from February 19 for pre-order customers. Square Enix also revealed Zephyr, the second new job, at Fan Festival 2026 in Tokyo.

That date is a little later than the January window originally promised, as PCGamesN reports. Producer and director Naoki Yoshida apologised with a bow on stage, explaining that the team had tried everything to hit late January but chose to move it so it could deliver on everything it had promised.

Evercold at a glance

Release date: Tuesday, February 23, 2027
Early access: February 19, 2027, 9:00 a.m. GMT (tentative)
Pre-orders: November 4, 2026, 9:00 a.m. GMT
New jobs: Zephyr (physical ranged DPS) and Bastion
New raid difficulty: Fierce, between Normal and Savage
Registered accounts: more than 35 million

Why did the Evercold release date slip to February?

Square Enix's press release does not give a technical reason. In PCGamesN's keynote recap, Yoshida says the team put in every effort to launch at the end of January, but moved the date to make sure the expansion lives up to the promises already made. In practice, that means Evercold arrives roughly a month after the first target.

There is an upside for players. The Halone's Earring pre-order bonus is delivered as soon as you place your order, and it boosts EXP from defeating enemies by 30%. That gives anyone still levelling jobs to 100 some extra runway before the expansion lands.

Naglfar, the Realmship of Water, sailing above the clouds in Evercold — Naglfar, one of Evercold's new areas (Source: Square Enix)

How does the new Zephyr job play?

Zephyr pairs crossbow shots with support from a bird of prey called Nephele. According to PCGamesN, it starts at level 90 like Bastion and is only available in the new Evolved Mode. You unlock it in Gridania, and it leans on evasion and breezy movement tools for precise positioning. Yoshida noted it has been a while since the game added a proper pet job.

Pre-order bonuses and the Collector's Edition

Pre-order customers get early access, Halone's Earring and a Wind-Up Köttr minion. The Digital Collector's Edition adds the Valhallar Odin mount, the Entreat Crystal emote and a Crystal Skyltborg weapon for Bastion. The physical Collector's Box contains a Yoshitaka Amano art box, a Reaper figure, a metal keychain, a Köttr mini plush and a tapestry, but Square Enix stresses it does not include the game or any in-game items.

The green floating island of Sessrymnir, the Realmship of Earth, in Evercold — Sessrymnir, the Realmship of Earth (Source: Square Enix)

What else was announced at Fan Festival?

Square Enix confirmed the new Fierce raid difficulty, sitting between Normal and Savage. A fresh trailer for the EVANGELION: Ghosts of Desire alliance raid arrived too, along with news that select bosses from it will feature in new high-difficulty eight-player battles. There was also new Tetsuya Nomura artwork for Beyond the Lifestream, the Final Fantasy VII Remake crossover raid.

PCGamesN adds that an Evercold benchmark with the new character creation options is planned for December, while bigger changes to housing, PvP and the chocobo companion system begin with Patch 8.1. Rewards will also shift to a new system called Seasons.

Square Enix also announced that Final Fantasy XIV has passed 35 million registered accounts. The free trial now covers everything up to Patch 5.58, including Shadowbringers, with no playtime limit.

For more online game news, read our coverage of ArcheAge Chronicles' early access date, The Duskbloods' delay to 2027 and Honkai: Star Rail 4.7.

Frequently asked questions

When does Final Fantasy XIV Evercold come out?

Square Enix says Evercold launches on Tuesday, February 23, 2027. Early access for pre-order customers is tentatively set for February 19, 2027 at 9:00 a.m. GMT.