Final Fantasy XIV: Evercold launches February 23, 2027, with the crossbow-wielding Zephyr as its second new job

Final Fantasy XIV’s next expansion has a date. During the Fan Festival 2026 keynote in Tokyo, Square Enix announced that Evercold launches Tuesday, February 23, 2027. Players who pre-order get early access, which is tentatively set to start Friday, February 19.

Meet the Zephyr

Producer and director Naoki Yoshida revealed Zephyr, the second of Evercold’s two new jobs. It’s a physical ranged DPS that fights with a crossbow, backed up by a bird familiar called Nephele. Per Noisy Pixel, like the new Bastion tank it’s only playable in the new Evolved Mode control scheme, and it starts at level 90 in Gridania.

35 million accounts and pre-orders

Square Enix also said Final Fantasy XIV has passed 35 million registered accounts worldwide. Pre-orders for Evercold and the Collector’s Box start Wednesday, November 4, with the physical Collector’s Bundle sold in limited quantities through the Square Enix Store. The Digital Collector’s Edition includes a Valhallar Odin mount, an Entreat Crystal emote and a Crystal Skyltborg weapon for Bastion. Pre-ordering also grants items right away, including the Halone’s Earring EXP bonus.

What else is in Evercold

The official Evercold site lists a level cap increase from 100 to 110, new areas aboard the Fourth’s massive realmships, new cities, an EVANGELION alliance raid series called Ghosts of Desire, a new raid series called Beyond the Lifestream, a new Fierce raid difficulty between Normal and Savage, a new Ultimate raid, chocobo companions that can join you in dungeons, and housing updates through the 8.x patches.

PPR take: A crossbow plus a pet bird is a fun pick for a new ranged job, and February isn’t that far off.