WWE 2K26 may bring back The Island, a controversial feature that never made its way to the PC version of WWE 2K25, according to leaks from sources familiar with the game's development. Although WWE has not officially revealed any details about WWE 2K26's new features, the leaks stated that The Island will feature a new story arc as part of its potential return.
As one of WWE 2K25's main features, The Island is an online multiplayer system themed around Roman Reign's Island of Relevancy metaphor, and is considered a virtual tribute to the Samoan Dynasty and the Bloodline factions. The Island allows WWE 2K25 players to create their own avatars, complete single-player quests, and participate in ranked online matches against other users. However, The Island was exclusive to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game at first, with support for the Nintendo Switch 2 arriving months later. As of this writing, the Steam version of WWE 2K25 does not include The Island. Despite waves of content that were launched throughout 2025, The Island was criticized for emphasizing microtransactions as a way to upgrade player characters.
WWE 2K25 Shutdown Date Officially Confirmed
2K provides an update on the exact date that the popular wrestling game WWE 2K25 will lose its online features.
The Island May Come Back in WWE 2K26
While rumors about WWE 2K26 should be taken with a fine grain of salt, a leak stated that The Island could return for a second round. Sources close to WWE 2K26 told Insider Gaming that the next iteration of The Island will have a story that picks up immediately after the end of WWE 2K25's Island campaign. WWE 2K26's season of The Island will be focused on a three-way power struggle on the Island of Relevancy between different factions, with one of them apparently being titled the Order of Anarchy. One of the plot's main focuses is the fallout of Roman Reigns' ousting as the Tribal Chief of The Bloodline faction. The Island's supposed return is just one of the features that WWE 2K26 may have in the game, as other leaks claimed that some match types, including the I Quit Match and the Inferno Match, would return in WWE 2K26. The Inferno Match and the I Quit Match features have not appeared in any WWE video game since WWE 2K14.
As of this writing, it is unclear if WWE 2K26's version of The Island will remain exclusive to consoles, or if 2K and Visual Concepts will allow PC players to experience it. Additionally, WWE 2K26 still has no definitive release date, though past launch dates of WWE 2K games favor the first quarter of 2026. Despite the lack of official news about the upcoming title, WWE has one timely opportunity coming up that may allow them to show off WWE 2K26 and all its features to gamers.
Official News About WWE 2K26 Could Come Soon
On January 31, the 2026 edition of the annual Royal Rumble premium live event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As one of WWE's largest live events on the calendar, the Royal Rumble could be WWE's first opportunity to share official information about WWE 2K26 with viewers. The 2026 Royal Rumble live event will start at 2:00 PM Eastern, with the titular Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches taking place throughout the broadcast. The Royal Rumble will be streamed on the ESPN app in the US, and International markets can watch the show via Netflix or other providers.
Between the apparent return of The Island and match types that have not been seen in years, WWE 2K26 could be seen as a return to WWE's Attitude Era at first glance. However, time will tell what additional surprises and changes WWE and 2K have in store for fans in the coming weeks.
WWE 2K25
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- March 14, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Visual Concepts
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Sports
WHERE TO PLAY
Celebrate The Bloodline in Showcase. Compete online in MyGM. Expanded gameplay includes intergender wrestling, chain wrestling, barricade diving, the return of Promos + much more!
A ROSTER FOR THE AGES
WWE 2K25 brings you an unparalleled lineup of current Superstars, Legends and Hall of Famers. The 300+ stacked roster spans multiple generations and features Seth "Freakin" Rollins, Undertaker, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jade Cargill, and more.
2K SHOWCASE: THE BLOODLINE'S DYNASTY
The all-new Showcase, hosted by “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman, celebrates one of the most historic family dynasties in wrestling. Relive legendary showdowns or dream matches between The Bloodline and WWE Superstars and Legends.
A UNIFIED MyRISE
Your Superstar takes center stage in an all-new intergender storyline with new brawl environments, unlockable arenas, characters, objects and more.
MyGM GOES WORLDWIDE
Take your show on the road with MyGM 4-player online multiplayer! Draft WWE Superstars and Legends to your show’s roster and lead your brand through multi-week seasons.
YOUR UNIVERSE, YOUR WAY
New upgrades give greater control over your Universe experience. Promos are back with multiple types and outcomes featuring new cutscenes and branching choices.
EXPANDED GAMEPLAY
Intergender wrestling makes its long-awaited debut in the WWE 2K franchise! Additional features include the return of chain wrestling, the Underground and Bloodline Rules match types, barricade diving, plus much more.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op
- Prequel(s)
- WWE 2K24
- Franchise
- WWE 2K
- Number of Players
- 1-8
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- March 14, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 14, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 14, 2025
- Genre(s)
- Wrestling, Sports
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
- Local Co-Op Support
- Yes
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
