Square Enix announced at its Tokyo Fan Festival on October 31, 2026, that Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold will launch on February 23, 2027. The publisher also revealed Zephyr, a new combat job.
The date moves the expansion beyond its previously announced January 2027 window, according to IGN’s coverage of the keynote. Producer and director Naoki Yoshida presented the new schedule alongside the expansion’s full trailer.
Evercold dates and early-access requirements
Square Enix says preorders will begin on November 4, 2026. Early access is tentatively scheduled for February 19, 2027, ahead of the full release four days later.
The official product page says early-access players must have registered Dawntrail and completed certain quests. Evercold also requires the full version of Final Fantasy XIV and a subscription; it cannot be played as a standalone game.
Zephyr joins Bastion in the new combat system
Square Enix describes Zephyr as a physical ranged damage-dealing job that uses a crossbow. Its attacks work alongside an avian familiar called Nephele, shown in a separate job trailer during the event.
The expansion website lists Bastion as the other new job, with a tank role. Both new jobs use Evolved Mode only. The broader combat update offers Reborn Mode, based on the current system, and Evolved Mode, designed around each job’s identity.
The official feature list raises the level cap from 100 to 110. It also places the new story in the icebound Fourth reflection. New areas include settlements and landscapes aboard enormous airships.
New raids and updates after launch
Square Enix announced a Fierce raid difficulty between Normal and Savage. Its Tokyo presentation also covered the Evangelion: Ghosts of Desire alliance raid. Beyond the Lifestream will feature a crossover with the Final Fantasy VII Remake series.
The expansion website says some system changes will also be available without buying Evercold. It lists additional features across the 8.x patch series, so the announcement does not place every planned update on release day.
Square Enix says miscellaneous updates, including expanded housing features and companion chocobo changes, will begin in Patch 8.1. The next scheduled step for players is the opening of preorders on November 4.
Sources: Square Enix — Tokyo Fan Festival announcements, Square Enix — Evercold features, Square Enix — Evercold products and early-access conditions, IGN via Yahoo — Evercold release-date change
