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WWE 2K26 is only one month away from its early access release on March 6. We still have yet to see any significant gameplay footage, but 2K has now explained the new Ringside Pass system. This is six seasonal battle passes replacing the previous DLC model used for WWE 2K22 up until 2K25, and it’s unfortunate that the Ringside Pass has all the hallmarks of a predatory battle pass commonly used for live-service multiplayer games.
According to the official explanation from developer 2K, the WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass includes both free and premium tracks. The free track “features 60 rewards across 40 tiers,” including items such as VC (Virtual Currency), MyFACTION packs, MyFACTION points, and banners for The Island.
The premium track, meanwhile, includes 60 additional rewards. These exclusive items consist of new DLC wrestlers, Create-a-Superstar parts, and MyFACTION Persona cards. Personas are new or alternate playable versions of wrestlers already included in the WWE 2K26 roster, similar to the alternate versions of CM Punk added post-launch in WWE 2K25.
Progression through both the free and premium tracks occurs simultaneously by earning RXP. You can earn RXP by “simply playing matches” across several modes, including Play Now, Universe, MyRISE, Showcase, MyGM, MyFACTION, and The Island.
There will be six Ringside Pass seasons released for WWE 2K26, matching the number of DLC packs included in the WWE 2K25 Season Pass. When a new Ringside Pass launches, the previous one will not expire, allowing you to return to it at any time. The release schedule is as follows:
- Ringside Pass Season 1: March 6
- Ringside Pass Season 2: April (before WrestleMania 42)
- Ringside Pass Season 3: June
- Ringside Pass Season 4: July
- Ringside Pass Season 5: September
- Ringside Pass Season 6: October
Finally, 2K has scrapped the premium SuperCharger that previously unlocked everything in-game so you could avoid the grind. Instead, if you buy one of the premium Ringside battle passes, 2K will give you the option to purchase tier skips.
The Ringside Pass represents the most significant change coming to WWE 2K26. While 2K is adding four new match types, including Inferno and I Quit matches, introducing a new CM Punk Showcase mode, and improving existing modes such as MyGM and Universe, along with a new story for The Island, the Ringside Pass is the most fundamental shift. It also brings with it many of the most frustrating aspects associated with battle pass systems.
If you pre-order the $150 Monday Night Wars Edition, you will receive access to all six premium Ringside Passes upon release. The $130 Attitude Era Edition includes premium access to seasons 1 through 4, while the $100 King of Kings Edition grants premium access only to season 1. The Standard Edition does not include access to any premium Ringside Pass content.
Although the premium track automatically unlocks one new DLC wrestler, with the remaining wrestlers unlocking within the next 20 tiers, you should not be required to grind for additional playable characters after paying extra. The amount of RXP earned per mode has not been disclosed, and it is especially frustrating that 2K is offering paid tier skips as a way to quickly unlock wrestlers and avoid what could be be an intentionally prolonged grind.
Another major issue is the disparity between free and premium rewards. The free tier offerings are far less appealing than the premium items, a design choice clearly intended to push players toward spending more. Notably, some premium rewards, such as Create-a-Superstar parts, were always free and part of the base version of other previous WWE 2K games at launch.
Compounding these concerns is the requirement for an active internet connection to earn RXP. With WWE 2K24 servers scheduled to shut down on March 31, it is reasonable to assume WWE 2K26 will follow a similar timeline. If you choose to continue playing WWE 2K26 instead of upgrading to WWE 2K28, any unearned Ringside Pass content could become permanently inaccessible due to servers going offline.
As of this writing, 2K has not revealed any of the DLC wrestlers, besides Joe Henry as a pre-order bonus. Leaks suggest Torrie Wilson may return, while a potential AAA-themed Ringside Pass seems likely following the debut of AAA stars in the 2K mobile title WWE SuperCard and the apparent scanning of El Hijo del Vikingo. Other rumored additions include AJ Lee, whose name has appeared in recent teasers, and Matt Cardona, who returned to WWE in January 2026.
Regardless of which wrestlers ultimately appear in the premium passes, the requirement to grind or purchase tier skips may not be worth the hassle, particularly for Persona cards, which are locked behind tiers 21 through 40, which will require even more grinding to reach.
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