Jagex is officially ushering RuneScape into a new era. As the legendary MMO prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026, the studio has unveiled an ambitious roadmap that blends long-requested system overhauls, major content expansions, and community-focused integrity changes. The full plan was revealed during the RuneScape Ahead video presentation, outlining what will become one of the most transformative years in the game’s long history.
Central to this new chapter is Jagex’s renewed focus on player-first design. Following a community vote in November 2025, nearly 125,000 players weighed in on the future of the Treasure Hunter daily activity. The result was decisive, Treasure Hunter has now been completely removed from RuneScape, marking a significant step toward increased transparency and integrity in the game’s systems.
The Road to Restoration Focuses on Core Improvements
At the heart of the 2026 roadmap is The Road to Restoration, an integrity-focused initiative aimed at modernizing RuneScape’s core systems. Jagex describes this as a commitment to addressing some of the most frequently requested quality-of-life improvements, while improving consistency across the world of Gielinor.
Planned updates include a refreshed user interface, improvements to the game’s visual integrity, combat style modernization, API plugin support, rebalancing of core gameplay systems, and overhauls to both dailyscape content and Auras. The Grand Exchange is also set to receive meaningful improvements, addressing long-standing concerns around trading usability.
A Long-Awaited Player Avatar Refresh Arrives in April
One of the most anticipated updates is the Player Avatar Refresh, scheduled to arrive in April. This full overhaul will update character models, animations, hairstyles, and clothing. Jagex has confirmed that additional refinements may be added over time based on community feedback, making this a living update rather than a one-and-done change.
Havenhythe Becomes RuneScape’s Largest Expansion Ever
Content-wise, the biggest addition coming in 2026 is Journey to Havenhythe, the largest area expansion in RuneScape’s 25-year history. The new region will launch in multiple parts throughout the year and features a progressively vampiric theme.
Players can expect new quests, early-game bosses, and an increase to the Hunter skill level cap to 110 at launch, with additional story and boss content planned later in the year.
Player-Owned Houses Get a Major Overhaul
The Welcome Home update brings a substantial rework to Player Owned Houses. Construction will see its level cap raised to 120, alongside the introduction of a new recipe system. This system allows players to unlock and build furniture inspired by in-game achievements, adventures, and victories, giving houses more personality and purpose than ever before.
Leagues II Returns in Autumn 2026
After a successful debut in 2025, Leagues II is confirmed to return in autumn 2026 as a limited-time game mode. Built with community feedback in mind, Leagues II will introduce new overpowered relics, tasks, challenges, and rewards. Progression through tiers will be faster, allowing players to experience the mode’s high-intensity gameplay more quickly.
RuneFest 2026 Heads Back to Birmingham
Jagex also shared new details about RuneFest 2026, which will take place on October 3–4, 2026 at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. The event will host up to 6,000 fans and feature two stages of live reveals, developer sessions, behind-the-scenes content, and community-focused experiences. Tickets are set to go on sale later this spring via RuneFest.com.
With sweeping system improvements, the largest expansion in the game’s history, and a renewed focus on community-driven development, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for RuneScape. Full details from the RuneScape Ahead presentation are available now on RuneScape.com.
RuneScape is currently available on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android, with full cross-platform progression and play between PC and mobile.
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