WWE 2K26 Makes Ringside Pass U-Turn Following Widespread Criticism, New Patch Out Now

2K has revealed that it will be fundamentally changing how its Ringside Pass works in WWE 2K26 following widespread criticism from the community. Ever since the new battle pass system was revealed for this year’s 2K wrestling release, players had expressed concerns over how it would replace the traditional six DLC packs that they’d come to expect — the crux of the issue being that it would now take dozens of hours of play to unlock members of the roster by completing all 40 tiers of the pass, rather than the instant unlocks that DLC packs used to grant. This meant that even when paying for the premium tiers of the Ringside Pass, fans would have to sink more hours into their busy schedules than anticipated, just to receive the wrestling icons they’d already purchased. Well, thankfully, this will be yesterday’s problem from now on. That’s because in version 1.07 (patch notes below), 2K has announced that from Season 2 onward, all four characters in the Premium track of the pass will be unlocked immediately in Tier 1. The amount of XP needed to progress through each tier has also been reduced from 800 to 625, a number 2K says won’t be increased again. As a further show of goodwill, anyone who logged in before April 14 will receive 20 tiers worth of free XP to get them on their way to unlock Season 1’s AAA wrestlers El Hijo Del Vikingo, Flammer, Mr. Iguana, and Psycho Clown. Annoyingly, it won’t give those who already lost hours of extra grinding in 2K26 that precious time back, though. The changes come just weeks before WWE’s biggest event of the year, Wrestlemania, with Season 2 of 2K26 timed to release alongside it. Following the announced changes, it will mean that it will be much easier for fans to get their hands on the next four superstars lined up to appear in Ringside Pass: Ax, Smash, Crush, and Kelly Kelly. From then on, the following wrestlers will be added to WWE 2K26’s already vast roster with each season pass:Season 3 (June) - Matt Cardona, Torrie Wilson, Brian Pillman, and La Parka.Season 4 (July) - Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Jelly Roll, and Lady Shani.Season 5 (September) - Danhausen, Bam Bam Bigelow, Brie Bella, and Pagano.Season 6 (October) - Earthquake, Typhoon, Royce Keys, and Octagon Jr. Each Ringside Pass costs $9.99/£8.99 per season, with an annual pass available for $49.99/£44.99. You can see why people would be a little annoyed, then, at having to sink extra time into the game to unlock these characters on top of such a cost. For more WWE, check out our review of 2K26, or the story of why Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns had to be kept apart on the set of the Street Fighter movie.WWE 2K26 update 1.07 patch notes:GeneralMade Stability and Performance ImprovementsGameplay / PlayIncreased damage threshold for instant DQ from Referee.Stamina and Reversal adjustments:Adjusted stamina costs to increase more gradually over the duration of a match so players are less likely to become Winded early on.Reversals now cost less stamina when you are fighting more than one opponent.Improved thumbtack stability during online playAI now attempts reversals after transitioning from front to rearAddressed reported concern related to movesets reverting to defaults while using an alt attire during the matchUpdated VFX fade on Poison Mist to last longerAddressed reported concerns related to the wrong date showing up in MyStatsAdded new move - Chelsea Green’s Cradle Flatliner (Standing Front Grapple)Added new move - Blake Monroe’s Glamour Shot Finisher (Standing Front Grapple)Added new move - Solo Sikoa 1 (Standing Crowd/Opponent/Wake Up Taunt)Addressed reported concerns related to hair shine changes reverting to default when in gameplayAddressed reported concerns related to Superstars stepping down from the middle rope when playing Cage MatchesThe IslandAdjusted interior camera settingsAdded new shop and bundle itemsUpdated the Prestige Flow; Can now Prestige from within the training shop.Added a Double VC earn event in the Order of Tradition (Solo PvP)Addressed reported concerns related to stability and UI issuesCreateCREATE-A-SUPERSTARAddressed reported concerns related to the incorrect attire appearing when attempting to import a Superstar’s second attire.Addressed reported concerns related to the results of idling without saving for over 45 minutes when creating a custom Superstar.Addressed reported concerns related to a possible soft lock when the player applies a face photo after reaching the maximum layer point price under certain conditions in the Face and Body menus.Addressed reported concerns related to alignment with ears, earlobes, and eyebrows after maxing out sliders and backing out.Addressed reported concerns related to a soft lock potentially occurring when quickly selecting a second body part while creating a new Superstar on a new user account.Addressed reported concerns related to the Custom Superstar tab sometimes remaining visible after deleting a Custom Superstar.Addressed reported concerns re

Jat AI

Mar 31, 2026 - 16:00

2K has revealed that it will be fundamentally changing how its Ringside Pass works in WWE 2K26 following widespread criticism from the community.

Ever since the new battle pass system was revealed for this year’s 2K wrestling release, players had expressed concerns over how it would replace the traditional six DLC packs that they’d come to expect — the crux of the issue being that it would now take dozens of hours of play to unlock members of the roster by completing all 40 tiers of the pass, rather than the instant unlocks that DLC packs used to grant.

This meant that even when paying for the premium tiers of the Ringside Pass, fans would have to sink more hours into their busy schedules than anticipated, just to receive the wrestling icons they’d already purchased. Well, thankfully, this will be yesterday’s problem from now on.

That’s because in version 1.07 (patch notes below), 2K has announced that from Season 2 onward, all four characters in the Premium track of the pass will be unlocked immediately in Tier 1. The amount of XP needed to progress through each tier has also been reduced from 800 to 625, a number 2K says won’t be increased again.

As a further show of goodwill, anyone who logged in before April 14 will receive 20 tiers worth of free XP to get them on their way to unlock Season 1’s AAA wrestlers El Hijo Del Vikingo, Flammer, Mr. Iguana, and Psycho Clown. Annoyingly, it won’t give those who already lost hours of extra grinding in 2K26 that precious time back, though.

The changes come just weeks before WWE’s biggest event of the year, Wrestlemania, with Season 2 of 2K26 timed to release alongside it. Following the announced changes, it will mean that it will be much easier for fans to get their hands on the next four superstars lined up to appear in Ringside Pass: Ax, Smash, Crush, and Kelly Kelly.

From then on, the following wrestlers will be added to WWE 2K26’s already vast roster with each season pass:

• Season 3 (June) - Matt Cardona, Torrie Wilson, Brian Pillman, and La Parka.
• Season 4 (July) - Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Jelly Roll, and Lady Shani.
• Season 5 (September) - Danhausen, Bam Bam Bigelow, Brie Bella, and Pagano.
• Season 6 (October) - Earthquake, Typhoon, Royce Keys, and Octagon Jr.

Each Ringside Pass costs $9.99/£8.99 per season, with an annual pass available for $49.99/£44.99. You can see why people would be a little annoyed, then, at having to sink extra time into the game to unlock these characters on top of such a cost.

For more WWE, check out our review of 2K26, or the story of why Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns had to be kept apart on the set of the Street Fighter movie.

WWE 2K26 update 1.07 patch notes:

General

• Made Stability and Performance Improvements

Gameplay / Play

• Increased damage threshold for instant DQ from Referee.
• Stamina and Reversal adjustments:
  • Adjusted stamina costs to increase more gradually over the duration of a match so players are less likely to become Winded early on.
  • Reversals now cost less stamina when you are fighting more than one opponent.
• Improved thumbtack stability during online play
• AI now attempts reversals after transitioning from front to rear
• Addressed reported concern related to movesets reverting to defaults while using an alt attire during the match
• Updated VFX fade on Poison Mist to last longer
• Addressed reported concerns related to the wrong date showing up in MyStats
• Added new move - Chelsea Green’s Cradle Flatliner (Standing Front Grapple)
• Added new move - Blake Monroe’s Glamour Shot Finisher (Standing Front Grapple)
• Added new move - Solo Sikoa 1 (Standing Crowd/Opponent/Wake Up Taunt)
• Addressed reported concerns related to hair shine changes reverting to default when in gameplay
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstars stepping down from the middle rope when playing Cage Matches

The Island

• Adjusted interior camera settings
• Added new shop and bundle items
• Updated the Prestige Flow; Can now Prestige from within the training shop.
• Added a Double VC earn event in the Order of Tradition (Solo PvP)
• Addressed reported concerns related to stability and UI issues

Create

• CREATE-A-SUPERSTAR
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the incorrect attire appearing when attempting to import a Superstar’s second attire.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the results of idling without saving for over 45 minutes when creating a custom Superstar.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to a possible soft lock when the player applies a face photo after reaching the maximum layer point price under certain conditions in the Face and Body menus.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to alignment with ears, earlobes, and eyebrows after maxing out sliders and backing out.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to a soft lock potentially occurring when quickly selecting a second body part while creating a new Superstar on a new user account.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the Custom Superstar tab sometimes remaining visible after deleting a Custom Superstar.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to image preview potentially failing to display during image placement after selecting “Switch Mapping.”
  • Addressed reported concerns related to eyelashes becoming misaligned with a Created Superstar’s eyes.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to shoulder button prompts vanishing when highlighting Nickname and Presentation name.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to favorited masks appearing blank in the menu.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to inconsistent removal functionality when editing body parts.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to UI button display issues after editing color operation in the Parts Color menu.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar’s face template and skin color inadvertently applying to a Persona Attire's after selecting "Default" in face customizations.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to selecting the camera option in the Height/Weight menu causing the slider to move with the camera settings.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to button prompt functionality when saving a Custom Superstar across modes.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to sample color functionality.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect messaging when the maximum layer point price is exceeded in Face and Body menus.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the highlight cursor potentially disappearing on multi-row onscreen keyboards.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to crowd signs appearing as generic or duplicated for certain Superstars.
  • Addressed various Create-A-Superstar part clipping and deformation concerns.
• CREATE-AN-ARENA
  • Addressed reported concerns related to LED Aprons and Ring Posts being present when creating a Custom Arena after removing them and taking the arena into Gameplay.
    • Note that all arenas made before this update will still be affected. Please edit or delete those arenas to completely address the situation.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to copying arena props after a reverted change.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to editing an announce table in certain templates with no announce table.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the inability to edit images placed on the announce table under certain circumstances.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to base color options appearing incorrectly when editing multiple announce tables.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to control prompts disappearing while moving props in Create-An-Arena.
  • Reduced the scale limiter on images so that all Arena Images may reach larger sizes rather than having different resolutions result in smaller max scales.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the Custom Arena tab in Play mode not displaying the top row of arenas.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to an interface issue where the accept prompt could fail to gray out when pasting while editing Arena lights.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to various typos in Create-An-Arena parts.
• CREATE-AN-ENTRANCE / CREATE-A-VICTORY
  • Addressed reported concerns related to pyro placement failing to adjust when editing motions or placing the pyro too early in the Timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to pyro effects playing at the wrong time when setting Pyro blocks in the Ramp and Ring-In sections of the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to edited cast changes sometimes failing to apply in gameplay for 5-person team victory motions.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to timeline placement cancel and revert inputs overlapping in the Create-An-Entrance timeline.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to players potentially triggering a soft lock when entering Create-An-Entrance from Universe mode under specific conditions.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to stability when selecting a saved custom entrance using a deleted custom video from Create-A-Video.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to button prompts failing to appear after copying a Superstar in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect button functionality in the Titantron Movie sub menu in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the timeline screen effect losing functionality when there is a top menu screen effect applied in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the player being redirected to “Edit Timeline” when selecting 'Accept' after making any changes in Edit Timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to light show changes in Create-An-Entrance sometimes failing to manifest in Gameplay.
  • Improved stability in the Create a Victory menu.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to a missing Pyro name in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to an issue with D-Generation X screen effects remaining on screen while adding motions to the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where the timing bar could freeze when replacing items on the timeline in Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to inconsistent “Accept” prompt functionality when players confirm while inside the Timeline of Create-An-Entrance.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the Superstar slot resetting when adjusting Cast Change and accepting in Create-An-Entrance and Create-A-Victory.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to Tre and Marshall Thompson’s Cheer/Boo motions in Create-A-Victory.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to fonts changing incorrectly under certain circumstances.
• CREATE-A-CHAMPIONSHIP
  • Addressed reported concerns related to previously saved customization on a side plate being removed when reverting out of a side plate selection.
  • Added the ability to toggle visibility on Nameplates for relevant titles in Create-A-Championship.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to front plate relief designs missing editing options when applied to custom items.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to tiled front plate and side plate images sometimes vanishing when attempting to modify a strap.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to image placement sometimes being reverted while customizing logos.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to “relief” thumbnails not matching previews in Create-A-Championship.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to "Color, Etc." and "Pattern Placement" sometimes losing functionality after selecting the "Default" Pattern option for “Strap” in Create-A-Championship.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to misaligned side plates on certain championships.
• CREATE-AN-IMAGE
  • Improved stability and performance in Create-An-Image.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to some menu inconsistencies in Group Images.
• CREATE-A-VIDEO
  • Addressed reported concerns related to the preview and timeline bar sometimes falling out of sync.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to button prompts vanishing when selecting any category after saving many video clips in Create-A-Video.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to doubled functionality sometimes appearing in the UI when the player adds a clip to a Full Timeline in Create-A-Video.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where Select and Back button prompts fail to display upon reaching maximum storage capacity.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to an issue with inconsistent button functionality while selecting an Arena in Create-A-Video.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to occasional screen flickering in the preview screen while editing cutscenes in Create-A-Video.
  • Addressed reported concerns related to non-functional info button prompts in Create-A-Video.

Presentation

• Addressed reported concerns related to Elimination Chamber pods opening prematurely or not closing properly
• Improved selection of cameras in broadcast mode
• Improved camera collision for steel cage
• Improved entrance framing in Gauntlet matches
• Addressed reported concerns related to bad cameras in Create-a-Move
• Improved vertical tracking on high falls in brawls
• Royal Rumble PIP no longer fades when user interface fades
• Addressed reported concerns related to highlight reel where invisible characters were selected as camera targets
• Addressed reported concerns related to highlight reel, with characters jiggling in replays

Online

• Addressed reported concerns related to online stability issues

MyFACTION

• Pack Vouchers should now be immediately accessible to use without having to restart MyFACTION
• Made several improvements to the display of requirements across MyFACTION matches to help reduce confusion
• Moved the Update Line-Up notification to appear when attempting to start a match without meeting all the requirements instead of appearing when first entering the Match Details screen
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Superstar getting stuck in an animation during a Quick Swap
• Addressed reported concerns related to Run-Ins that could cause players to be stuck in an animation
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Run-In character attempting to complete a Ladder match objective
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Run-in preventing a First Blood match from being completed
• Addressed reported concerns related to a Faction Wars run not progressing or completing after finishing a boss match
• Addressed reported concerns related to a crash that could occur when completing a PvP match
• Addressed reported concerns related to a rare crash that could occur when loading into a MyFACTION match
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Loser’s Superstar card displaying as the Winner on the Titantron at the end of a Ranked match.
• Addressed reported concerns related to Vouchers not functioning correctly in certain regions
• Addressed reported concerns related to an infinite loading screen appearing after leaving a Card Trial
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Weapons Master badge incorrectly activating when brawling on top of a ladder
• Addressed reported concerns related to being unable to complete a Finisher or Signature match objective in I Quit matches

MyRISE

• Tuned rate at which players gain Match Stars in MyRISE to make it faster to earn Stars in RISE Matches
• Unlocked Barron Blade as a Manager

Universe

• Improved Universe overall stability
• Addressed reported concerns related to match cards being reset when players left Universe Mode
• Addressed reported concerns related to the Royal Rumble PLE generating 10-person Royal Rumble matches
• Addressed reported concerns that would cause the Superstar setting of Face/Heel to not save properly
• Addressed reported concerns that would cause Watch Show to lose crowd audio
• Addressed reported concerns related to custom superstars having 0 HP
• Addressed reported concerns causing Managers and named Referees to not be allowed to be Special Referee
• Addressed reported concerns related to Titantron movies reverting when viewing entrances
• Addressed reported concerns causing empty match cards to appear
• Addressed reported concerns related to camera issues when watching shows and during promos
• Addressed reported concerns causing matches to be copied between Day 1 and Day 2 of a PLE
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar positioning issues with Post Match Interviews
• Addressed reported concerns related to incomplete News when completing specific rivalry actions
• Addressed reported concerns related to multiple incorrect news issues during Rivalry Actions
• Addressed reported concerns related to microphone issues during Promos
• Addressed reported concerns causing Automatic Rivalries to happen even when turned off
• Addressed reported concerns causing selected rivalry actions to be overridden when saving changes twice
• Addressed reported concerns related to various issues with props in cutscenes
• Addressed reported concerns causing championship matches not to be created when selecting a title match during promos
• Updated various historical stats correctly
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue where Royal Rumble matches were not being generated in Superstar Mode when selected from the Manage Superstar Menu
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar not assigned to shows appearing as selectable when assigning titles
• Made various Matchmaking fixes
• Addressed reported concerns causing the division screen to appear blank
• Addressed reported concerns causing the incorrect Superstar to be announced as the winner of the Royal Rumble or gauntlet match
• Addressed reported concerns related to swapping completed shows with active or upcoming ones
• Addressed reported concerns stopping players from editing AI attributes
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect belts were being assigned to matches
• Controller select will be shown before the match when using the "next match" button to go from one match to another
• Addressed reported concerns related to inaccurate "days held" stats being shown for certain women's championships
• Addressed reported concerns related to vacant custom championships being removed from shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to triggering the “save changes to multiple modes” pop-up when there were no changes to save
• Addressed reported concerns related to several match types not being available when using a custom arena
• Addressed reported concerns related to managers and Bloodline Rules teammates receiving win/loss credit after a match
• Addressed reported concerns related to not being able to change the "Legend" classification when editing a superstar
• Added entrances to several Rivalry Actions with pre-match cutscenes
• Changed the MITB cash-in prompt to no longer stay active after triggering a cash-in
• Addressed reported concerns related to situations where the wrong referee attire would be used
• Expanded casual promo attire to apply to call-out and interrupt promos
• Addressed reported concerns related to the wrong belt being shown in cutscenes
• Addressed reported concerns related to incorrect information being shown when viewing a superstar with an alt attire set as their default attire
• Addressed reported concerns that could cause teams to disband
• Addressed reported concerns of some superstars becoming erroneously marked as locked after assigning an alt attire as their default attire
• Addressed reported concerns related to division rankings failing to save while editing a show
• Addressed reported concerns related to existing teams being disbanded when modifying allies/enemies
• Addressed reported concerns related to edited cast changes failing to apply for quint victory motions
• Addressed reported concerns related to challenging another superstar to a Special Guest Referee match during a promo not resulting in a Special Guest Referee match being created
• Made update to prevent editing divisions with no available candidates
• Disabled swapping to Superstar mode when calendar has no major shows
• Addressed reported concerns related to various HUD issues that could occur when cashing in during a special guest referee match
• Addressed reported concerns related to an issue causing custom superstars to have a 0 hit point ratio.
• New Options
  • Added "wear and tear" option to allow superstars to remain damaged when appearing multiple times on the same show
  • Added "rivalry breaks" option to control whether rivalry matches or #1 contender vs. champion matches are prioritized at PLEs
  • Added "watch show referee counts" option to control whether the HUD for referee count-outs and pins is shown in watch mode
• Draft Specific Changes
  • Improved Draft consistency and overall stability
  • Addressed reported concerns related to issues causing roster to appear incorrectly
  • Addressed reported concerns related to drafts completing prematurely when choosing champions
  • Addressed reported concerns related to Legends missing from roster when viewed in drafts
  • Addressed reported concerns related to drafts being active on the calendar without the proper amount of participants in shows
  • Addressed reported concerns related to supplemental drafts not triggering
  • Addressed reported concerns related to viewing "New" superstars assigned to shows
  • Addressed reported concerns related to rivalries not clearing when Superstars are drafted to different shows
  • Addressed reported concerns related to stopping users from creating group images from within the draft
  • Addressed reported concerns related to draft completing early
  • Added ability to view previous draft results from the draft select screen

Cutscenes

• Addressed reported concerns related to Create-An-Entrance
• Addressed reported concerns related to Superstar in a Victory being deformed or invisible
• Addressed reported concerns related to editing timeline in Create-An-Entrance that would cause a crash
• Addressed reported concerns related to clipping in various Create-An-Entrance motions
• Addressed reported concerns related to minor clipping issue in El Hijo Del Vikingo's Entrance

Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can mainly be found skulking around open world games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Follow him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.

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