Every Feature Confirmed for WWE 2K26 So Far

The wait for WWE 2K26 just grew a little bit shorter, because a release date was finally made official last week. Gamers eager for the next era of WWE 2K will want to mark their calendars for March 13, as the series is continuing its tradition of releasing during this month. WWE 2K26 is making some big changes this time around, too. WWE 2K26 is leaving the last generation of consoles behind, finally bringing the series fully into the modern era. Beyond that, a stacked roster, improved gameplay, and a long list of match types promise one of the most action-packed WWE 2K games yet.

WWE 2K26‘s The Island is getting a rework, CM Punk will be in the spotlight, and players will have tons of ways to live out their WWE fantasies. 2K Games is blending fresh ideas with classic WWE 2K staples, and there’s a lot to unpack ahead of the game’s March launch.

WWE 2K26 is Bringing Players a Roster Packed With Legends Both New and Old

One of the biggest features is, of course, the fighter roster. WWE 2K26‘s wrestler roster is absolutely stacked this year with currently active WWE members and some of the company’s most iconic names. So, no matter what era of WWE is a player’s favorite, WWE 2K26 has it covered with a long list of fighters from different brands.

Confirmed Brands and Fighter Count for WWE 2K26 So Far

• RAW Roster – 34 superstars
• Smackdown Roster – 31 superstars
• NXT Roster – 12 superstars
• Legends Roster – 32 superstars

When it comes to the RAW lineup, superstars like Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins are back in action, while Smackdown showcases other wrestling legends-in-the-making, like Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. For many, one of the most exciting lineups will be the Legendary roster. Longtime fans will get to play as Andre the Giant, The Rock, John Cena, and Chyna. Some wrestlers are already even confirmed to have alternative versions that will be DLC.

Find all 10 pairs

Start

Restart
Back

Find all 10 pairs

Start

RestartBack

WWE 2K26 Isn’t Suffering From a Match Type Shortage or Lack of Gameplay Improvements

In total, there are 33 different match types in WWE 2K26. There are four new match modes in the lineup, too: 3 Stages of Hell, Dumpster, I Quit, and Inferno. Before 2K Games confirmed the matches, there was speculation that these four options would be added to the mix, so it’s exciting to see that these predictions proved to be true. The four new match modes aren’t the only ones worth looking forward to, either. Ambulance matches, Battle Royal, Brawl, and Hell in a Cell are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to returning modes. One of the highlights, though, revolves completely around CM Punk.

CM Punk Gets This Year’s WWE 2K26 Showcase Spotlight

WWE 2K26‘s CM Punk Showcase has been rumored for a while now, but it’s finally been made official. 2K Showcase: Punked honors the legacy of longtime wrestling legend, CM Punk. Over the years, CM Punk has gone through a lot of different transformations, and that makes him perfect for the Showcase. He even narrates the mode himself, bringing an even deeper personal touch to the various storylines and fights players get to experience for themselves.

Gameplay is Getting an Upgrade Across the Board

More match options and a CM Punk Showcase aren’t the only ways that WWE 2K26 is planning to take the franchise to the next level. New objects like thumbtacks bring even more pain to the ring, while the current gen console grants the opportunity for better physics and controls. The Creation Suite for custom characters also doubles the number of save slots this year, going from 100 to 200. Body and face-morphing tools are being teased as the series’ best ever, allowing players to create even better one-of-a-kind wrestlers. With a shutdown date for WWE 2K25 already confirmed, WWE 2K26‘s revamped gameplay and embrace of current gen consoles show that 2K Games is looking to the franchise’s future.

Despite Its Controversial Debut, The Island Returns to WWE 2K26

The Island is a cool concept, but its potential was spoiled by an egregious amount of microtransactions. Understandably, this frustrated a lot of fans. However, WWE 2K26 is bringing the online mode back, but this time with some interesting tweaks. Now, WWE 2K26‘s The Island will have three factions to side with. With a new progression system, the three factions will battle for dominance on The Island. Of course, there are still going to be shops and other ways for The Island to host microtransactions, but the three-faction system sounds like a fun spin that could be just what the online mode needs to reach its potential.

There Are Four Editions to Choose From

Each edition depends on a player’s preference, but the higher tier editions are bound to attract collectors and the most hardcore fans. The bigger the price tag, the more extra perks that are included in the game. All editions include the base game, though, which is obviously the most important part to have. WWE 2K26‘s Monday Night War Edition boasts a shockingly hefty price tag, but it also features a lot of in-game additions, like the Wrestlemania 42 Pack that’s scheduled to arrive in the summer. It includes the Season Pass as well as the Packs from the other editions, with 3 exclusive wrestlers (DX Shawn Michaels, Macho Man ’98, and Roddy Piper ’98), a WCW arena, and DDP emote exclusive to the most expensive version.

Regardless of which of the four WWE 2K26 editions a player gets, 2K Games is making it clear that the developer is hoping this entry is one of the franchise’s best. Its launch and post-launch content will be the deciding factor in how it’s received, but WWE 2K26‘s extensive features suggest it could be a thrilling wrestling game.