Arc Raiders Headwinds Expected Global Release Times
The first major Arc Raiders update of 2026 is nearly here, and Headwinds brings a substantial content drop for both new and veteran Raiders. Following the success of Cold Snap—which launched in December 2025—Embark Studios is wasting no time kicking off the new year with a feature-rich patch that introduces a new map condition, a major gameplay mode, and new cosmetics.
Below, we break down the expected Headwinds global release times and go through every piece of content included in this milestone update.
When Does the Arc Raiders Headwinds Update Release?
Arc Raiders Headwinds is scheduled to release on January 27, 2026. While Embark Studios has not published official launch times, their update cadence is very consistent: most patches drop at 10:30 AM CET. Based on this pattern, players worldwide can expect Headwinds to go live at the times listed below.
Arc Raiders Headwinds Expected Release Times
Region City Time Zone Release Date Release Time
North America (West) Los Angeles PST (UTC-8) Jan 27, 2026 01:30 AM
North America (East) New York EST (UTC-5) Jan 27, 2026 04:30 AM
United Kingdom London GMT (UTC+0) Jan 27, 2026 09:30 AM
Europe (Central) Berlin / Paris CET (UTC+1) Jan 27, 2026 10:30 AM
Asia Tokyo JST (UTC+9) Jan 27, 2026 06:30 PM
Australia Sydney AEDT (UTC+11) Jan 27, 2026 08:30 PM
If Embark follows its standard rollout structure, servers should go down briefly before the patch deploys—expect a short maintenance window.
Arc Raiders: Headwinds Update – All New Features and Content
The Headwinds update is built around four significant additions. Each one aims to refresh the PvPvE sandbox, add long-term progression, and expand the game’s core risk–reward loop.
1. New “Solo vs. Squads” Matchmaking (Level 40+)
The headline feature of Headwinds is a new matchmaking option allowing Level 40+ Raiders to enter lobbies alone against full squads.
This mode presents a “high-risk, high-reward” challenge intended for the game’s most seasoned players:
· You queue as a true solo—no squadmates, no backup.
· You match against complete groups, creating an asymmetric PvPvE experience.
· XP bonuses are significantly boosted, rewarding those skilled enough to extract successfully.
For veterans, this is the purest skill test Arc Raiders has offered so far. For new players, it also creates a compelling reason to grind levels and unlock late-game features.
2. The New “Trophy Display” Project
Progression-focused players will find a lot to love here. The Trophy Display Project introduces:
· A collectible-hunting loop that focuses on taking down specific ARC units
· A physical display that players can gradually fill over time
· Unique rewards tied to completing categories or entire display sections
This gives more structure to mid- and late-game farming and allows players to express completionist achievements visually.
3. New “Bird City” Map Condition (Buried City)
With Cold Snap thawing out, Embark rotates in a brand-new map condition: Bird City.
Key characteristics include:
· Vertical, rooftop-centric looting paths
· High-value items hidden in elevated locations
· Increased ambush potential from other Raiders using the surrounding structures
Expect Buried City runs to become far more dynamic as players fight for aerial vantage points and roofline loot spots.
4. New Sandwalker Set
Wrapping up the new additions is the Sandwalker Set, a cosmetic package designed for players who favor stealthy, evasive play.
Features include:
· A sleek, dust-camouflage visual design
· A thematic focus on mobility and outmaneuvering opponents
· A gritty aesthetic fitting Arc Raiders’ post-collapse sci-fi world
It’s one of the most stylish looks added to the game so far and is clearly tailored to high-skill solo players—ideal timing given the new matchmaking mode.
Arc Raiders in 2026: What’s Coming Next?
After hitting 12 million players within one month, Arc Raiders is now positioned for a massive year. Embark Studios already confirmed:
· Multiple new maps arriving throughout 2026
· Brand-new enemy types to diversify PvPvE encounters
· New guns and gear that could shift the meta and shake up the current best-in-slot loadouts
Headwinds are just the opening salvo. If Embark maintains this pace, Arc Raiders could become one of the most continuously evolving extraction shooters of the year.
Final Thoughts
Headwinds marks the beginning of Arc Raiders’ 2026 content cycle, offering a strong blend of mechanical challenge, visual customization, and long-term progression. With an expected launch at 10:30 AM CET on January 27, players worldwide should prepare for new ways to test their skills—especially those brave enough to try Solo vs. Squads.
If you want to keep up with the latest ARC Raiders updates, be sure to follow us. We also offer dependable ARC Raiders items, coins, and other in-game services to help you progress through the war-torn frontier.
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