The 5th Expedition opens on September 8 and closes on September 29. This gives players a precise window to make progress, complete the challenge and claim its rewards before Expeditions pause until early 2027. Also check out the latest video game news to follow the next confirmed schedules.
Key points
- The 5th Expedition opens on September 8 and closes on September 29, according to the official Steam announcement published on August 21, 2026.
- The fifth Expedition will last three weeks and will not offer the “last call” feature.
- Players will be able to keep their quest progress instead of resetting it.
- The Zenith outfit will be fully unlocked if all five Expeditions are completed.
the official Steam post confirms another important change: players can choose to keep their quest progress instead of resetting it. The participation window is also increasing from two to three weeks. However, the “last call” feature will not be available this time.
Three weeks to complete the Expedition
The 5th Expedition begins on September 8 and ends on September 29, according to the times published by Steam. The challenge must be completed during this period to obtain the rewards. Starting the Caravan is not enough to register.
The fifth Expedition will be the last before Expeditions return in early 2027. The pause is intended to revisit their core systems, rewards and accessibility for new players. This announcement is not tied to any price, edition or release date.
The schedule and closing times
Opening is scheduled for September 8 at 1 p.m. CEST, with closing set for September 29 at 10 a.m. CEST. The source also lists the times in UTC and PT without providing any additional conversion.
Compared with previous two-week windows, three weeks should reduce the pressure. The Expedition is less dependent on a last-minute rush, although the challenge still has to be completed before closing for the reward to count.
Progress follows each player’s personal order. A delay on one step therefore does not appear to create a shared schedule that players must catch up with. That structure may suit people returning to ARC Raiders after a break.
The current Trials season will end on September 22. Trials will then be paused until October 8. Bonuses from existing streaks will persist during this period, preventing accumulated progress from being lost automatically.
the Steam post dedicated to the Expedition confirms the essential rule: the challenge must be completed during the active window to obtain the rewards.
Zenith and the other rewards
The rewards give this final Expedition a clear objective. They include the complete Zenith outfit, Mystery Rewards and reserve slots, for a total capped at 60.
Players from the second, third or fourth Expeditions will be able to recover a maximum of five skill points missed per Expedition. This catch-up applies to points not obtained during previous participation; it is not a general reset.
The Zenith outfit has one clear condition: completing all five Expeditions fully unlocks it. The reward therefore gives players already engaged with the system a reason to maintain that progression.
Partially completed Caravans will not disappear without compensation during the pause. They will be replaced by Ermal Vouchers of equivalent value. The announcement gives no real-money price or commercial details to compare.
What the pause tells us—and what it does not
The most significant announcement may be the stoppage until early 2027 rather than the Zenith outfit. Three areas are named for review: core mechanics, rewards and accessibility.
The clearest comparison is with the previous format. The fifth Expedition keeps progression based on each player’s personal order, but its window expands from two to three weeks. That is a concrete adjustment to the pace, though it is not enough to conclude that a complete overhaul is coming while the future systems remain unknown.
For players who want the current rewards, participation needs to be planned before September 29. Those aiming to complete Zenith will also need to consider their Expedition history. New players will have to wait for the details promised in September to see whether access becomes clearer. Buying or returning solely for a future promise would be premature, since no price or complete schedule has been confirmed.
The useful certainty here is the fifth Expedition’s schedule. Everything beyond it remains an announced design phase rather than a detailed program.
What is confirmed about platforms and co-op
The official announcement does not confirm any gaming platform. Nor does it provide a price, edition or commercial condition. Those details should not be inferred simply because the announcement appears on Steam.
The same applies to co-op. The official post does not detail a co-op mode linked to this Expedition. It confirms the progression rules, participation window and rewards, but it is not a complete technical sheet.
Details announced in September will clarify how the system is being followed up. The pause is specifically intended to revisit accessibility for new players. That could change how players enter Expeditions, but no specific feature has been confirmed at this stage. The news section will help place these announcements within the game’s broader schedule.
The details still unknown before 2027
- When exactly will Expeditions return? The announcement says early 2027 without specifying a precise day or month.
- Which systems will actually change? Core systems, rewards and accessibility are mentioned, but no functional details have been provided. It remains unclear whether the pause will change only the pace or the entire structure.
- How will new players enter Expeditions? Accessibility is an announced focus, but no solution has been described. Its implementation will affect latecomers’ ability to join the progression.
For now, The 5th Expedition offers one final window before the pause. The three weeks provide more time, but the September 29 closing date remains firm. The details promised in September will show whether early 2027 brings a short breather or a broader reconstruction of the system. In the meantime, check out our gaming articles so you do not miss the next updates.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 5th Expedition start and end?
It starts on September 8 at 1 p.m. CEST and ends on September 29 at 10 a.m. CEST.
Will Expeditions return after the fifth one?
Yes. Expeditions are scheduled to return in early 2027, but no precise day or month has been confirmed.
What rewards are included?
The 5th Expedition offers the Zenith outfit, Mystery Rewards and reserve slots, up to 60 in total.
Can players keep their quest progress?
Yes. Players can choose to keep their quest progress instead of resetting it. The “last call” feature will not be available.
To keep following the story, also read our article on free ESO Plus until August 27: everything the trial, our article on Battlefield 6: Top Gun opens a week of free trial access.
Verified sources
These links can be used to verify the key information used in this article.
- steamcommunity.com: official Steam announcement “The 5th Expedition”: September 8–29 window, optional retained progression, rewards and Expeditions pause until early 2027; published on 2026-08-21. This official source documents the key scheduling details.
