GamesRPGElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree unlock times and release dateWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree unlock times and release dateWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Update:Shadow of the Erdtree is live on PC now!
While you’re downloading the update from Steam, check out ourShadow of the Erdtree guide hubwith links to all of our guides coverage of the massive expansion. Also check out ourShadow of the Erdtree tipsfor some general advice on getting your bearings in the Land of Shadow.
The Elden Ring DLC release date is nigh, so set your reminders for theShadow of the Erdtree unlock times, tarnished ones. Down below is everything you need to know about exactly when you can start downloading and playing the giant new DLC area. I’ve even done my best impression of a FromSoft lore nerd and explained what it allmeansfor you—who actually gets to play Erdtree first?
Is there preloading for Shadow of the Erdtree?
(Image credit: FromSoftware (Twitter))

When does Shadow of the Erdtree launch?
For PC players, Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree launches at3 pm PDT / 11 pm BST on Thursday, June 20. That’s 7 am on June 21 in Japan, which is why you’ve seenFromSoftwarefocusing on that as the release date. Make no mistake though, Shadow of the Erdtree launches on Thursday evening for a lot of us.
Here’s Shadow of the Erdtree’s global launch time on PC in other time zones:
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Complicating matters further, Shadow of the Erdtree will have a rolling launch on console at midnight local time in most places. As you can see in FromSoft’s infographic above, Shadow of the Erdtree for console players launches at midnight local time everywhere in the world except for the US. For us, console players will all be playing at 12 am Eastern, which is 9 pm Pacific on Thursday, June 20.
Who gets to play Shadow of the Erdtree first?
The very first players getting access to Shadow of the Erdtree will be console players in New Zealand at midnight local time on June 21 which will be 5 am PDT / 1 pm BST on June 20. That gives them about a 10 hour head start on PC players.
Basically, due to time zones and platforms, console players will be starting first in the eastern hemisphere, then PC players globally will jump in, and then console players in the western hemisphere will catch up with their midnight launches after that. Makes about as much sense as Elden Ring’s main story.
TOPICSFromSoftware
TOPICS
PRODUCTSElden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeElden Ring
PRODUCTS
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