WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Release Dates, Races, Raids, and More

World of Warcraft players will soon journey once again into the fel-scarred realm of Outland. Blizzard has officially announced that WoW: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition will launch globally on February 5 at 3:00 p.m. PST, and it will be included for all players with an active WoW Subscription or Game Time. Designed as a modern celebration of the original 2007 expansion, this Anniversary Edition delivers the complete Burning Crusade experience with several enhancements, improved progression cadence, and early access to key features.

The rollout begins even earlier. Following regional maintenance on January 13, players will receive the Pre-Expansion Patch, marking the return of iconic races, systems, and updates before Outland officially opens. However, players must choose the future of each of their characters: advance to Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary or transfer to a Classic Era realm by January 12.

Whether you plan to re-enter the Dark Portal on launch day or prepare new characters in advance, the Anniversary Edition offers a sweeping set of features, systems, dungeons, and raids that capture one of WoW’s most celebrated eras.

Key Features Coming with the Anniversary Edition

The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition brings back the full suite of expansion content alongside improved progression and new conveniences. Major additions include:

• Level cap raised to 70

• The exiled world of Outland

• Two playable races: Blood Elves and Draenei

• January 13: Level 58 Character Boost (standalone) becomes available

• February 17: PvP Arena Season 1 begins

• February 19: First three raids unlock—Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, Magtheridon’s Lair

• Flying mounts

• Jewelcrafting profession

• Guild Banks available from day one

These additions recreate the full Burning Crusade progression flow while giving modern players tools that were not available during the original Classic progression.

Enter the Exiled World of Outland

At launch, champions level 60 and above can enter Outland—a shattered, unstable dimension dominated by demons, corrupted warlords, and danger at every turn. The Anniversary Edition invites players to rally against the Burning Legion once again by venturing through Hellfire Peninsula, Shadowmoon Valley, Zangarmarsh, Blade’s Edge Mountains, and other iconic zones.

The world remains visually faithful to the original Burning Crusade experience, offering a mix of nostalgia and challenge as players prepare for raids, dungeons, and faction war efforts.

Two New Playable Races: Blood Elves and Draenei

The pre-patch unlocks two iconic races: the Blood Elves of Silvermoon and the Draenei of the Exodar. These additions not only expand the playable factions but also restore many foundational elements of the Warcraft storyline.

Blood Elves (Horde)

Once a proud High Elf civilization, the Blood Elves are now survivors hardened by the Burning Legion’s devastation of the Sunwell. Their desire for vengeance fuels their new alliance with the Horde. Blood Elves can play the following classes:

• Mage

• Hunter

• Rogue

• Priest

• Warlock

• Paladin (previously Alliance-exclusive)

Draenei (Alliance)

Gifted survivors of worlds annihilated by the demonic Legion, the Draenei arrive on Azeroth seeking allies and retribution. Their racial abilities synergize well with casters and support roles, especially with Jewelcrafting.

Draenei can play:

• Warrior

• Paladin

• Priest

• Mage

• Hunter

• Shaman (new to the Alliance)

Their Gem Cutting passive gives them a head start in the new Jewelcrafting profession.

January 13: Level 58 Character Boost (Anniversary Edition)

Players looking to jump directly into Outland content can use an Anniversary Level 58 Character Boost, available as a standalone purchase on January 13. This boost instantly prepares a character for the Dark Portal, and—importantly—can be used on Blood Elf and Draenei characters.

Restrictions apply:

• Only usable on WoW Classic Anniversary realms

• Only valid for the game account that purchased or redeemed it

This boost ensures new players and returning veterans alike can begin their Outland adventure without leveling from scratch.

February 17: PvP Arena Season 1 Begins

Competitive PvP returns with the release of Arena Season 1. Beginning February 17 (at each region’s weekly reset), two-player, three-player, and five-player teams can battle across three iconic arenas:

• Ring of Trials (Nagrand)

• Circle of Blood (Blade’s Edge Mountains)

• Ruins of Lordaeron (Undercity)

While the original Honor System’s ranking grind will not return, the Arena system provides a structured, skill-based PvP environment with rewards such as:

• Powerful armor and weapons

• Unique mounts

• Titles

• Prestige and recognition

Players can focus entirely on competitive performance without worrying about weekly rank decay.

February 19: Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, and Magtheridon’s Lair Unlock

On February 19 at 3:00 p.m. PST, the first raid tier opens. These three eight- to twenty-five-player raids form the foundation of Burning Crusade’s endgame progression.

Karazhan

A vast, cursed tower once home to the Guardian Medivh. Its haunted halls, enchanted ballroom, opera house, and arcane observatory are packed with secrets, spectral foes, and highly sought-after loot.

Gruul’s Lair

Home of Gruul the Dragonkiller, this raid challenges players with brutal single-boss encounters. Gruul’s massive strength and his elite ogre followers highlight the raw, unforgiving nature of Outland.

Magtheridon’s Lair

Once the ruler of Outland, Magtheridon now lies imprisoned by Illidan Stormrage. His release would unleash devastation across the shattered world, making this raid a key step in securing Outland’s future.

These raids are designed to be challenging but rewarding, emphasizing coordination, gearing strategy, and execution.

Soar Above Outland on Flying Mounts

Flying mounts stand among the most transformative additions to Burning Crusade. Once purchased, they unlock entirely new navigation capabilities—allowing players to reach secluded areas, hidden questlines, and high-tier gathering nodes.

This feature fundamentally reshapes how players explore Outland and engage with its endgame content.

A New Profession: Jewelcrafting

The Jewelcrafting profession debuts with the Anniversary Edition, enabling players to craft:

• Rings

• Amulets

• Trinkets

• Healing statues

• Gems for socketed gear

Trainers include:

• Kalaen (Thrallmar, Horde)

• Tatiana (Honor Hold, Alliance)

As one of Burning Crusade’s most valuable professions, Jewelcrafting plays a key role in raid preparation and gear optimization.

Guild Banks Arrive Immediately

Unlike the original Burning Crusade Classic rollout, the Anniversary Edition launches with Guild Banks available on day one. This offers shared storage space, structured tab permissions, and a secure location for both WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold and items.

Key details:

• Located inside any faction bank

• Eight purchasable tabs

• Each tab contains 98 item slots without needing bags

• First tab costs 100 gold, with each additional tab increasing in price

• Guild Masters can assign access levels per tab

This system streamlines guild logistics and supports a more organized raiding environment.

Free Transfers to Classic Era Realms Available Until January 12, 2026

Players who prefer to remain in the Classic Era can migrate their Classic Anniversary characters free of charge. These transfers are available from November 25 to January 12, 2026.

After that deadline, any characters left on Anniversary realms will automatically progress into Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary content. This gives players over a year to finalize their choice.

Prepare to Cross the Dark Portal

The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition offers a rare opportunity to relive one of the most defining periods in World of Warcraft’s history—enhanced for today’s players. With new races, new systems, early access updates, iconic raids, and the promise of both nostalgia and challenge, this launch invites old heroes and new recruits alike to return to Outland.

On February 5, the Dark Portal opens once again. The fate of a shattered world waits on the other side. Are you prepared?

MMOexp WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Team