WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Premium Includes New DLC Wrestlers, But It Will Cost Over $600 to Unlock Everything
WWE 2K26 is just around the corner, and the developers have been sharing more updates with fans to build hype and excitement around the title.
However, the title has been the subject of significant controversy over the last few days, as 2K is introducing a major overhaul to its post-launch content, which could be a nightmare for the franchise’s fans.
WWE 2K26 Ringside Pass Sparks Backlash Over Potential $600+ Cost
Since the developers have ditched the traditional individual DLC packs for the game and replaced them with a battle pass system, it could cost fans about $650 to get the full content.
Just recently, 2K confirmed that WWE 2K26 won’t have individual DLC packs like in past years; instead, they are introducing a battle pass system, called the Ringside Pass, like other live-service games.
Similar to how the battle pass system works in other games, players will have to earn rewards by playing the game’s different modes and leveling up gradually. Previously, players would just buy the DLC pack and get everything without needing to grind through the game.
According to 2K’s official FAQ, Ringside Pass Season 1 will go live on March 6 with Early Access, allowing players to earn post-launch content ahead of WrestleMania. All players will have access to a free track featuring 60 rewards across 40 tiers, which are unlocked by earning RXP through regular gameplay across most modes, provided an online connection is active.
Players who purchase the Ringside Premium Pass will gain access to a premium track that includes new DLC Superstars, CAS parts, Personas, Island taunts, and more, adding another 60 rewards for a total of 120. Progression is shared between both tracks, meaning free and premium rewards unlock simultaneously as players level up.
2K has also confirmed that the game will have six seasons, and each will cost $10. Following this news, a Redditor has done the math, calculating that the game could now cost more than the console you’d be playing it on.
The standard edition of the game costs $70, and all six passes of the Ringside Pass would cost an additional $60. Now here’s the thing: if the game follows the NBA 2K system, which lets players pay money to skip tiers and get everything instantly without grinding, it could cost as much as $480.
And of course, if you didn’t pre-order the game and are planning to buy the Joe Hendry, WrestleMania 42, King of Kings, Monday Night War, and Attitude Era Packs, that will cost around another $65, bringing the subtotal to $675.
This is an insane amount for an annual game. In comparison, the recently launched Nintendo Switch 2 costs $450. The PlayStation 5 Disc Drive Version cost $550, and the Xbox Series X, Disc Drive 1TB Version, is as much as $650, making WWE 2K26 more expensive than the console itself.
Nonetheless, fans aren’t happy with the recent 2K announcement, as they don’t want the title to become another live service. Some traditional fans are upset because buying DLC would previously give them instant access, and they fear the latest announcement might ruin the game’s fun.
What do you think about this? Do you like this new system launching in WWE 2K26? Let us know in the comments.
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Your math is wrong…with the Monday night war edition the math would 150$+480 which doesn’t equal 675$ it would 630$ which is still a lot but not as much as your making it out to be