To drum up interest in the new World of Warcraft Midnight expansion, Blizzard is hosting a free Welcome Back Weekend. From now through February 1, all players with inactive World of Warcraft accounts can access the full game, and all their characters, without an active subscription.
All previous expansions are available through the War Within, including the currently active Twilight Ascension Pre-Expansion event, which leads into World of Warcraft Midnight. The repeatable event is available to players level 10 or higher and features new World Quests as players fight back against the Twilight Blade cult. Participants can earn special achievements, and warn Twilight Blade Insignias to purchase unique gear, as well as pets and housing decor.
During the free weekend, players can also utilize the new Demon Hunter Specialization, Devourer, which uses Void magic, as well as the Winds of Mysterious Fortune event buff, granting players free items and XP boosts.
Feeling overwhelmed by two-plus decades of WoW expansions? The free weekend also includes access to the popular World of Warcraft Classic. WoW Classic has been adding past expansions since its initial launch in 2019, and is currently on the fourth expansion, Mists of Panderia.
And if that’s still too much, Blizzard released World of Warcraft Classic: 20th Anniversary Edition in 2024 to once again relive the initial launch game experience circa 2004 (with various improvements and updates). But, MMOs can never be static, and World of Warcraft Anniversary Edition is advancing to Burning Crusade (the first expansion) in February.
After the Welcome Back Weekend ends, players will need to purchase an active subscription to continue playing.
Note that the free weekend only applies to players with previous WoW accounts. Sorry, totally new players!
World of Warcraft Midnight launches on March 2, adding new realms, quests, and dungeons, as well as the major new housing feature.
World of Warcraft is rated T for Teen.
