- Marathon Season 1 will release on March 5, 2026, running until June.
- Marathon will feature a Ranked mode arriving in late March, along with the Cryo Archive Endgame map.
- Bungie has also revealed that Marathon will feature wipes at the end of every season in order to reset the meta.
With the Marathon Server Slam all wrapped up, Bungie is gearing up for the full release of its long-awaited extraction shooter. Players got a taste of Tau Ceti IV and the game’s beautiful art style with the open beta, and Bungie has now revealed everything that Marathon will have to offer at launch, along with a seasonal update structure.
This doesn’t come as a surprise, as Marathon is, after all, a live service game. However, it looks like Bungie is approaching its roadmap for the game differently than most would expect. If you want more after the Marathon Server Slam and find yourself curious about Season 1’s offerings, here’s everything you need to know.
When Does Marathon Season 1 Release?
Marathon Season 1, officially titled “Death is the First Step,” will launch on March 5, 2026, along with the full release of the game. The launch will allow players to play with up to 28 weapons, 6 Marathon Runner Shells, and so much more. Season 1 will serve as the foundation for the full release of Marathon, establishing its update cycle for upcoming updates and the storyline of Tau Ceti IV and New Cascadia Colony.
Full Marathon Season 1 Launch Patch Notes and Roadmap
Marathon Season 1 will run from March to June 2026, establishing a three-month release cycle for future Seasons. Bungie has confirmed that all gameplay-affecting content like Marathon weapons, maps, and Runner Shells, will be free for all players, with the $10 Season Pass being strictly cosmetic.
Bungie has confirmed that the world of Marathon will continue to evolve throughout the seasons, with Season 1 being the first step towards uncovering the mysteries of the UESC Marathon ship and what happened to the New Cascadia Colony.
Ranked Mode
For the full release of Marathon, Bungie will be leaning heavily into a Ranked Mode, something that isn’t common in major extraction shooters. The mode will launch in the latter half of March, and it is designed for players who want to test their builds against the very best.
Players will climb through tiers to earn exclusive seasonal emblems as well as weapon skins. While the unranked mode will focus on survival and looting, the Ranked mode will prioritize successful extractions and Confirmed Kills on rival Runners. While it isn’t confirmed, players can expect Prestige Runner Shell cosmetics to prove how they have survived the most brutal lobbies on Tau Ceti.
Endgame Map: Cryo Archive
The most intriguing addition in Marathon Season 1 is the Cryo Archive, a fourth playable zone. Unlike other maps like Perimeter and Dire Marsh, which are based on Tau Ceti IV, the Cryo Archive is located in orbit, set aboard the titular UESC Marathon ship. According to Bungie’s official blog, the Marathon community will need to work together to unlock their way into orbit. Once players meet the threshold, the Cryo Archive will become available.
The Cryo Archive map is being described as a raid-lite experience, featuring complex environmental puzzles, frozen loot caches with specific key requirements, and a higher density of Marathon enemies.
New Weapon & C.A.R.R.I. Event
While Marathon will launch with 28 weapons, a new mid-season weapon is slated to drop alongside the C.A.R.R.I. Event. It is currently unknown what type of weapon this will be, but given how tight and sweaty Marathon’s gameplay can get, it will surely impact the game’s meta significantly.
Additionally, while not much is known about the C.A.R.R.I. event either, it is expected to be the game’s first major event, allowing players to earn free rewards ranging from crafting materials to cosmetics for their Runner Shells and weapons.
Seasonal Wipe
Much like other extraction shooters, Marathon will feature a seasonal wipe. Bungie has confirmed that, at the end of Season 1, all gear, faction progression, and player levels will be reset. While players will get to keep cosmetics (both earned and paid), achievements, and Codex entries, they will lose their weapons, Marathon Cores, and Implants.
With the reveal of Season 1 and plans for a Season 2 in June, Bungie is positioning Marathon for a long and healthy life cycle, allowing players to fully delve into the game’s intricate mechanics along with the mysterious setting of Tau Ceti IV.
Are you excited about jumping into Season 1 with Marathon’s full release? Tell us in the comments below!
Marathon Season 1 will release on March 5, 2026, along with the game’s full release.
Yes, Marathon will feature a Season Pass, which will feature items that are purely cosmetic and don’t impact gameplay.
The Marathon Ranked mode will release in the second half of March 2026.
