- Arc Raiders will be free-to-play from October 8, 2026, at 2 AM PT to October 12, at 1 AM PT.
- New players can experience the latest Pendola Pass map by teaming up with players who have already unlocked the map.
- In addition, new Arc Raiders players who don't own the game cannot access the upcoming PvE mode beta test, which runs from October 13.
Although Embark Studios’ Arc Raiders isn’t a free-to-play title, the extraction shooter remains massively popular. Embark shifted to a two-major-updates-per-year strategy, and the next update, Frozen Trail, is on the way. Longtime players are eager to explore the new Pendola Pass map. If you’re new to Arc Raiders, the good news is that you can also try the new map during the free trial. Here is how to play the Arc Raiders Frozen Trail update for free.
Can You Play Arc Raiders Frozen Trail Update for Free?
Yes, Embark Studios announced that Arc Raiders will be free-to-play from October 8 at 2 AM PT (5 AM ET) to October 12, 2026, at 1 AM PT (4 AM ET). Everyone can access the Arc Raiders Frozen Trail update during this free trial period.
During the free trial period, players can access all the game modes, various maps, and map conditions in Arc Raiders. However, new players cannot dive into the new Arc Raiders Pendola Pass map, part of the Frozen Trail update, right away.
To access the new Pendola Pass map, new players must team up with veteran players who have already unlocked it. Only then can they experience the newly introduced ARC enemies and weapons in Arc Raiders.
Embark also confirmed that the Arc Raiders free trial will be available on all platforms, including PC (via Steam), PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X|S. So, all you have to do is just look up Arc Raiders Free Trial on your preferred storefront and download it once the game is free-to-play on October 8.
Will Arc Raiders Remain Free-to-Play After Frozen Trail Update?
No, Arc Raiders won’t remain free-to-play after the Frozen Trail update launches. If you enjoyed raiding during the Arc Raiders free trial period, you can secure a copy of the game to continue your raider journey.
This is because, unlike Embark’s THE FINALS, Arc Raiders isn’t permanently free-to-play. This also means new players who participate during the free trial weekend won’t be able to access the upcoming Arc Raiders PvE toggle beta test, which goes live on October 13.
And that’s a wrap on the Arc Raiders free-to-play guide. Are you ready to try out the new Pendola Pass map in Arc Raiders? Let us know in the comments below.
Currently, players can play Arc Raiders for free from October 8 to October 12, 2026.
You can only play the Pendola Pass map in Arc Raiders during the free trial period with a teammate who has already unlocked it. Since you’re a new player, you won’t have access to the Frozen Trail update content right away.
Yes, Arc Raiders is free-to-play during the upcoming weekend, i.e., from October 8 to October 12, 2026.
No! Arc Raiders isn’t available to play for free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
Yes, the progress you made during the Arc Raiders free trial weekend will be saved. So, if you buy a copy in the future, your progress will carry over, and you can resume from where you left off.
