D&D's Lack of 2026 Announcements Actually Follows Precedent

Dungeons & Dragons fans seem to have short memories based on the number of speculative articles wondering why Wizards of the Coast hasn't announced any new books for next year. Over the past few weeks, various D&D blogs have speculated about the lack of 2026 announcements. Yes, Wizards of the Coast has underwent some internal turmoil this year, with a number of higher-ups tied to D&D leaving the company and replacements only named relatively recently. And yes, Wizards of the Coast was also hit by a series of delays for various books, with Eberron: Forge of the Artificer bouncing from a summer 2025 release to December due to a printing defect. However, neither of these are likely the reason why Wizards hasn't announced their 2026 slate. In fact, all one has to do is look at the timing of the 2025 announcements to take a deep breath.

Entering 2025, Dungeons & Dragons players only knew of one confirmed release - the 2025 Monster Manual tied to the core rulebooks. A D&D Direct in August 2024 revealed some rough timelines for two other D&D products, but specifics weren't revealed at that time. The rest of the 2025 D&D slate was announced at an embargoed press conference held at Wizards of the Coast's Renton headquarters in January 2025. Most major nerd press outlets, including EN World, were invited to the event. At the event, Dragon Delves, Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, and the Forgotten Realms books were all announced, as was the Starter Set box. The Stranger Things book was also teased as a "mystery" product.

Based on Unearthed Arcana playtests, it appears that the 2026 books will include a Dark Sun book featuring a new Psion class (the first new D&D class in over five years) and a book featuring several arcane subclasses. Wizards has also yet to release a campaign adventure based on the 2024 ruleset. However, the lack of any announcements shouldn't be concerning at all, as this is precisely what Wizards did in 2025 as well.

We'll also point out that D&D has a relatively new marketing manager (Blain Howard, who replaced Greg Tito) and a new PR firm (Tara Bruno PR, replacing 360 PR) for the D&D tabletop group, so any lack of announcements such as the lack of a D&D Direct may be tied to a retooled marketing strategy rather than any other prognosticator of other factors.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Interesting either way, but I am leaning towards suspecting we will hear something soon. We know they have stuff in he pipeline, and if you look back to 2019, we knew nothing about what was releasing this year at that time...and it ended up being one of the heaviest year for 5E releases, just from May to November we got Ghosts of Salt marsh, Acquisitions Incorporated, the Essentials Kit, Descent to Avernus (and the Early Access drop of BG3), the Rick and Morty box, and Eberron Rising from the Last War. None of which was even hinted at until the last Tuesday of February.

It could be later without disrupting the supply chain, even if the book is out May 19th, but I think you are right. We are going to hear an announcement this week or next.