The Xbox Games Showcase is set to return on 7 June, with an array of major games set to be featured, including the highly-anticipated Gears of War: E-Day. While not officially part of Summer Game Fest, this is the first major show to be dated for this annual season of showcases.
Amid the gloom surrounding the modern games industry, which has been plagued by layoffs and economic downturn recently, it should provide at least a spark of hope for the future, while shining a much-needed spotlight on the developers still working to create transportive gaming experiences.
Xbox Games Showcase 2026 – quick links
What to expect during the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase
As announced by Xbox, the annual Xbox Games Showcase will include ‘first gameplay looks and huge news on upcoming titles from our first-party studios across the Xbox family, as well as third-party partners around the globe – from the biggest franchises to soon-to-be indie darlings’.
As there’s a Gears of War: E-Day Direct tacked onto the Xbox Games Showcase, we do expect this game will get a spotlight, and possibly even a firm release date, after years of teasers.
Everything else is pure speculation, but we can make some educated guesses about what else might appear during the show.
Playground Games’ Fable is expected to release in the later half of 2026, so we could see this turn up and finally get a firm launch date. We could also see more of other games that have previously appeared in Xbox Developer Directs, like Beast of Reincarnation, or Stranger Than Heaven.
Surprises are also nice too, and with many first-party and third-party studios included in the upcoming showcase, we could see any number of grand, sweeping adventures shown off.
As noted, it is the 25th anniversary of Xbox this year, so we hope to see some big things. That could also include a formal first look at Project Helix, the next Xbox console – but we’ll just have to tune in to see what’s in store.
How to watch the 2026 Xbox Games Showcase
The 2026 Xbox Games Showcase airs on 7 and 8 June, depending on your local time zone. Here’s when you’ll be able to tune in around the world:
- Australia – 3am AEST 8 June | 2.30am ACST 8 June | 1am AWST 8 June
- New Zealand – 5am NZST 8 June
- Japan – 2am JST 8 June
- United States – 10am PT 7 June | 1pm ET 7 June
- United Kingdom – 6pm BST 7 June
The show will be available on the Xbox YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook social media channels.
In addition to the livestreamed show, this year’s Xbox Game Showcase will also be housed within a physical Xbox FanFest event, taking place in Los Angeles, California. You won’t be able to purchase tickets to this event, but sweepstakes entries are now open for a chance to win a ticket.
Also on ScreenHub: How much the PS5, PS5 Pro and PlayStation Portal will soon cost in Australia
PlayStation has confirmed significant price rises for the PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles, as well as the PlayStation Portal remote player, as a result of economic pressures and the increasing cost of complex manufacturing.
‘With continued pressures in the global economic landscape, we’ve made the decision to increase the prices of PS5, Pro and PlayStation Portal remote player globally,’ the company announced via PlayStation Blog.
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