# What is the “TEKKEN 8 Season 3”

TEKKEN 8 Season 3 is a new season scheduled to run from Feb. 2026 through winter 2027. The overall roadmap is outlined below.

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# About “Season 3” and the Early Phase
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CET. PST dates are provided in parentheses.)

During the early phase of Season 3, the following initiatives are scheduled to be rolled out in stages:

① February 10: Release of the “Season 3 Pass”
② February 10: – March 16: 2nd Anniversary Campaign
③ March 17: Major Update Deployment
④ From May 1: Full launch of the 2026 competitive season

In Season 2, the Season Pass release, battle balance adjustments, and the first DLC character release all took place on the same day. For Season 3, we have revised this schedule and will roll out content across separate phases, allowing us to focus more carefully on each piece of development and deliver it to players with greater care.

Battle balance adjustments for Season 3 are scheduled to be implemented with the major update on March 17th. Any additional balance updates after that will be determined while closely monitoring the state of the game.

Further updates will continue to focus primarily on the release of additional downloadable content.
In this blog article, we will provide an overview of items ① through ④ listed above, which make up the early phase of Season 3.

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#① February 10: Release of the “Season 3 Pass”
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CET. PST dates are provided in parentheses.)

In conjunction with the launch of the “2nd Anniversary Campaign”, which includes bonus item distributions and a major TEKKEN SHOP sale, the “Season 3 Pass” is scheduled to be released on February 10th.

Upon purchasing the Season 3 Pass, players will immediately receive a Season 3 Pass–exclusive customization item, the “Aurora Outfit Pack”, which can be equipped by all characters released up through Season 2 as well as all additional characters planned for Season 3.

The content release schedule is as follows:

* Season 3 Pass Content Release Schedule

Additional Characters:
– Late Spring 2026: 1st character “Kunimitsu”
– Summer 2026: 2nd character “Bob”
– Autumn 2026: 3rd character “Roger Jr.”
– Winter 2027: 4th character (to be announced)

Additional Stage
– Winter 2027: New stage (to be announced)

* Expanded Early Access Period

Players who purchase the Season 3 Pass will gain access to the above additional characters and stage 120 hours earlier than general access.

For Season 1 and Season 2 Passes, the early access period was 72 hours, running from Tuesday to Friday in the [JST/CET] time zones, and from Monday to Thursday in [PST].

With the Season 3 Pass, the early access period is extended to 120 hours. This will run from Thursday through the following Tuesday in [JST/CET], and from Wednesday through the following Monday in [PST]. As a result, early access will now include a full weekend in all regions, allowing players more time to enjoy new content and the post-release environment at a relaxed pace.

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#② February 10 – March 16: 2nd Anniversary Campaign
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CET. PST dates are provided in parentheses.)

To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of TEKKEN 8, an in-game “2nd Anniversary Campaign” will be held over five consecutive weeks from February 10th through March 16th.

This campaign is designed for all players—not only those who play regularly, but also those returning after a break and those just starting out. During the campaign period, players can receive various bonus items and take advantage of special sales. Details are as follows.

* Campaign Rewards & Initiatives

(1) “Fan Art Collection – Season 1 & 2 Set”

This set includes previously released fan art character panels, along with newly added illustrations for Clive and the four characters released during Season 2. It will be available for free in the TEKKEN SHOP after maintenance on February 10th, with no expiration date for claiming.

(2) “2nd Anniversary Player Customization Item Pack Vol. 1–4”

Four packs containing 2nd anniversary player customization items for all characters released up through Season 2 (excluding Clive). From Week 2 through Week 5 of the campaign (February 17th to March 16th), one pack will be distributed each week. Each pack can be obtained for free from the TEKKEN SHOP during its respective distribution period.

(3) “TEKKEN SHOP 2nd Anniversary Sale”

A limited-time “2nd Anniversary Sale” will be held in the TEKKEN SHOP for five consecutive weeks, featuring the largest discounts ever offered.

* Campaign Schedule
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CET. PST/PDT dates are provided in parentheses.)

Week 1: February 10th – February 17th
– Fan Art Collection Season 1 & 2 Set (no claim deadline)
– 2nd Anniversary Sale WEEK 1

Week 2: February 17th – February 24th
– 2nd Anniversary Player Customization Item Pack Vol. 1
– 2nd Anniversary Sale WEEK 2

Week 3: February 24th – March 3rd
– 2nd Anniversary Player Customization Item Pack Vol. 2
– 2nd Anniversary Sale WEEK 3

Week 4: March 3rd – March 10th
– 2nd Anniversary Player Customization Item Pack Vol. 3
– 2nd Anniversary Sale WEEK 4

Week 5 (Final): March 10th – March 16th
– 2nd Anniversary Player Customization Item Pack Vol. 4
– 2nd Anniversary Sale WEEK 5

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#③ March 17: Major Update (Ver. 3.00 and Beyond)
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CET. PDT dates are provided in parentheses.)

The update scheduled for March 17th, Ver. 3.00, will include the following changes.

* Key Features of Ver. 3.00

(1) Battle balance adjustments and release of the “TEKKEN Dev Feedback Portal (Beta)”
(2) Online rank reset and matchmaking logic improvements
(3) Multiple feature additions and improvements, along with new item releases and sales

Details for each item are provided below.

* (1) Battle Balance Adjustments and Release of the “TEKKEN Dev Feedback Portal (Beta)”

– Battle Balance Adjustments

For Season 3, battle balance adjustments will be made under the theme of “Refine.” While maintaining the current battle system, we aim to improve the overall gameplay experience based on the following policies:

1. Adjustments that respect each character’s concept, strengths, and weaknesses, while preventing excessive performance gaps between characters
2. Re-evaluating the relationship between character-specific power-up mechanics and the Heat system
3. Prioritizing improvements that align with TEKKEN 8’s core gameplay and the Season 3 balance theme of “Refine,” based on feedback received to date

Patch notes for balance adjustments are scheduled to be published on March 17th. As before, there will be no change to the policy of releasing patch notes on the day of the update.

– Launch of an Official Development Forum and Feedback Consolidation

Alongside the release of Ver. 3.00, we plan to launch the beta version of the official development forum, “TEKKEN Dev Feedback Portal.” By submitting feedback related to bugs or battle balance through a dedicated form, players will be able to deliver their feedback directly to the development team. Submissions will be moderated and shared on the TEKKEN Dev Feedback Discord, separate from the Official TEKKEN Discord, allowing for discussion among players. (While all feedback will be reviewed, not all suggestions can be implemented.)

Going forward, we aim to consolidate feedback through this forum to improve the overall game experience. We sincerely thank everyone who has previously shared feedback via the X hashtag #t8_report (and related tags), replies to TEKKEN project members, and X chat messages (formerly Direct Messages).

To facilitate smoother information gathering, we kindly ask for your cooperation in submitting feedback through the official development forum moving forward. Details such as the release date and URL will be announced at a later time.

* (2) Ranked Match Rank Reset and Matchmaking Logic Improvements

– Rank Reset

Based on each player’s rank at the end of Season 2, starting ranks for Season 3 will be determined. For main characters, ranks will be reset by up to four tiers, with “Marauder (Rank 6)” as the lower limit. Sub-characters will no longer start at the same rank uniformly; instead, ranks will be determined individually for each character.

Additionally, special titles will be awarded based on each player’s highest rank achieved during Season 2.

– Rank Point Gain/Loss Adjustments

System adjustments will be made based on feedback received throughout Season 2, including changes to bonus points for win streaks and rank promotions, the addition of bonuses for rematch (revenge) victories, and revisions to rank demotion conditions.

– Matchmaking Logic Improvements

Matchmaking based on a player’s “highest-ranked character” will be discontinued and replaced with matchmaking based on the rank of the “currently selected character.” To reduce mismatches in player skill, the timing and target ranks for raising sub-character ranks in accordance with main character progression will be adjusted. Additional tuning will prioritize reducing matchmaking wait times.

Patch notes related to ranked matches are scheduled to be published on March 17th.

* (3) Additional Features, Improvements, New Items, and Sales

Multiple feature additions and improvements are planned, including the introduction of player customization slot functionality, an increase in the number of character customization slots, and various UI and system adjustments. A new round of the TEKKEN FIGHT PASS and new item releases in the TEKKEN SHOP are also planned.

Further details will be announced at a later date via the official X account and in the patch notes scheduled for release on March 17th.

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#④ From May 1: Full Launch of the 2026 Competitive Season
(Note: All dates are based on JST and CEST. PDT dates are provided in parentheses.)

As with Seasons 1 and 2, Season 3 will continue to center around esports initiatives through the TEKKEN World Tour 2026 (TWT2026). The TWT2026 qualifying circuit will begin with EVO Japan 2026, held in Tokyo from May 1–3, and will run through November.

In addition, qualifiers for the Esports World Cup, which has announced TEKKEN 8 as an official title, are scheduled to begin at the same time as EVO Japan 2026.

For an overview of major TWT2026 tournament schedules and regulation changes, please refer to the article at the following URL:

Announcement Regarding TWT2026 / EWC2026
(It will be released after the Top 8 of the TWT2025 Global Finals concludes.)

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We will continue to share updates regarding ongoing operations through the official X account, patch notes, and community events. Thank you for your continued support of TEKKEN 8 and the TEKKEN World Tour.