Marathon Release Times & Pre-Load Guide: When Can You Play?

A collage featuring screenshots from Marathon, with the left featuring a female Runner shell, and the right featuring a first-person point of view of a sniper rifle.
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By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

A collage featuring screenshots from Marathon, with the left featuring a female Runner shell, and the right featuring a first-person point of view of a sniper rifle.
  • Primary Subject: Marathon (Launch Version)
  • Key Update: Bungie has confirmed the global launch times and pre-load availability for the highly anticipated extraction shooter across all platforms.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: March 4, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Marathon releases globally on March 5, 2026, at 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST. Pre-loading is currently available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a drill: The Marathon launch is drawing near!

The anticipation for Marathon is at an all-time high since the successful Server Slam, which amassed over 140,000 players. People are already itching to hop on a raid as a Runner and explore more of Tau Ceti IV.

Wondering when you can officially get your hands on Marathon? Look no further, we have all the answers right here.

What Time Does Marathon Release?

A Runner shooting a gun in Marathon.
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Credit: Bungie

Marathon will officially release worldwide on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The game will be available on Steam (Windows), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Wondering what time it will drop in your region? Here's the full list:

  • US Pacific: 10:00 AM PST
  • US Central: 12:00 PM CST
  • US Eastern: 1:00 PM EST
  • Brazil: 3:00 PM BRT
  • United Kingdom/Ireland: 6:00 PM GMT
  • Europe: 7:00 PM CET

If you are in Asia or Oceania, the game will drop on March 6, 2026.

  • China: 2:00 AM CST
  • Japan: 3:00 AM JST
  • Korea: 3:00 AM KST
  • Australia: 5:00 AM AEDT
  • New Zealand: 7:00 AM NZDT.

Can You Pre-Load Marathon?

A close-up of a Runner in Marathon.
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Credit: Bungie

Yes, pre-loading Marathon was made available after the Server Slam. Players can now download the game before its release, ensuring that once it goes live, Runners can immediately hop in for a raid. Some users have reported being unable to see the pre-load option. It is recommended that you refresh your storefront or library page until the option appears.

After you purchase Marathon, you can set it to preload. Since it's expected to be a pretty heavy game, the earlier you download it, the better.

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