The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary brings the beloved expansion back once again. This is a refined version of TBC with some quality-of-life upgrades that can be played by anyone with a WoW subscription and does not require a separate purchase. In this The Burning Crusade Anniversary Overview, we will take a look at the release schedule, Anniversary-specific changes, and more!
Key Takeaways:
- Pre-Patch launches January 13th, 2026, unlocking Blood Elves, Draenei, and Jewelcrafting.
- Characters must choose to enter Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary or transfer to Classic Era.
- Faster leveling during pre-patch, flying mounts, guild banks, and other QoL features are included.
4.9The Burning Crusade Anniversary Release Date
The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary release date is set on January 13th, 2026, when the pre-patch goes live around the world. This is when players make their first big choice: stay in the Classic Era or move on to Outland.
The few weeks of pre-patch are meant for settling in. It’s time to level new characters, try out the latest class changes, and get used to the updated systems before Phase 1 arrives. Guilds can organize rosters, friends can sync up plans, and returning players can shake off the rust.
By the time the Dark Portal opens, most people will already have found their footing and be ready for the push into Outland. Make sure to prepare for the next Anniversary expansion by Power Leveling your character to the max level with the help of our services!
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Release Schedule
The Burning Crusade Anniversary release schedule will resemble the release cadence of the original TBC from back in 2007. The developers haven’t shared the exact dates for each phase yet, but they have confirmed that the expansion will follow the classic multi-phase format. Here you can take a look at The Burning Crusade Anniversary Release Schedule in its entirety:
| Phase | Features | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Patch | Faster leveling, New Races, Jewelcrafting. | January 13th, 2026 |
| Phase 1 | Level 70, Outland, TBC dungeons, Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, Magtheridon. | TBA |
| Phase 2 | Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep, updates to professions. | TBA |
| Phase 3 | Mount Hyjal, Black Temple. | TBA |
| Phase 3.5 | Zul’Aman. | TBA |
| Phase 4 | Magister’s Terrace, Sunwell Plateau, Isle of Que’Danas hub. | TBA |
The release plan for The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary is split into four main phases, with one smaller phase between the third and fourth. Each phase focuses on a specific raid tier and the systems tied to it.
This approach gives guilds a few months of room to work through content before the next tier arrives, which helps both dedicated and more relaxed groups stay on track. As the phases move forward, dungeon tuning, reputation requirements, and attunements will gradually loosen. This will make it easier for returning or late-start players to catch up.
📌 We will update this guide with the exact release dates as more information becomes available.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Changes
The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary includes several changes that were not a part of the 2019 and 2007 releases. Guild banks are now available right away, leveling takes less time than before, and updated backend systems help keep servers stable and PvP fair.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary changes include:
- Updated Servers with improved systems;
- Faster leveling and earlier access to mounts;
- Faction balance controls on PvP servers;
- Guild Banks and Dual Spec available on day one.
The goal is to keep the original TBC flow while using a few modern rules that make the game easier to manage. PvP realms use faction creation locks to prevent one side from overwhelming the other. The Chronoboon system is active from the start, and GDKP runs are fully banned in both NA and EU.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Servers
The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary servers are not new. Rather, these are the same realms that existed in World of Warcraft Classic.
Compared to the initial Classic launch that took place back in 2019, Blizzard has incorporated some quality-of-life features right from the start. The main differences on the The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary servers include:
- Improved in-game reporting system;
- A new system which enables the transfer of Guild Leadership without the help of the GM;
- The Chronoboon Displacer can hold up to 10 stored world buffs;
- An overhauled PvP Honor Ranking system, coming live in Phase 2;
- Upgrades to visuals and graphics in the game client;
- Instant delivery of mail between characters in the same account;
- Removal of the Buff & Debuff Limit;
- Dual Spec, so players can change builds without always respec-ing.
| Region | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| EU | Spineshatter | PvP |
| EU | Thunderstrike | PvE |
| NA | Nightslayer | PvP |
| NA | Dreamscythe | PvE |
| AU – NA | Maladath | PvP |
| NA | Doomhowl | Hardcore |
| EU | Soulseeker | Hardcore |
📌 The new progression realms launched on November 21, 2024, with the celebration of the Anniversary launch.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Transfers from Classic
The Burning Crusade Anniversary will progress all Anniversary servers forward into the next expansion, but there are options for players who want to stay in the original version of the game. For players who prefer to remain in the Classic Era timeline, Blizzard is offering a time-limited offer for free character transfers.
- Free Classic Era transfers: Nov 25 → Jan 12;
- Post-January 12: All remaining characters progress to TBC;
- Hardcore realms remain exclusively Classic Era.
From November 25, 2025, until January 12, 2026, players can transfer their characters from Anniversary realms back into Classic Era at no cost. This is the only opportunity to preserve characters outside of the Burning Crusade progression environment.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Roadmap
The Burning Crusade Anniversary roadmap follows the same general rhythm as the original expansion. Blizzard will share exact phase dates closer to each release, but the overall plan is already clear enough for guilds to organize their schedules, manage attunements, and decide how they want to progress.
The roadmap for The Burning Crusade Anniversary Classic looks like this:
- Pre-Patch: New races, leveling updates;
- Phase 1: Heroics, Karazhan, Gruul, Magtheridon;
- Phase 2: Serpentshrine Cavern & Tempest Keep;
- Phase 3: Hyjal & Black Temple;
- Phase 3.5: Zul’Aman;
- Phase 4: Sunwell Plateau & Quel’Danas hub.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Pre-Patch
📌 Pre-Patch brings: Faster leveling, new races, Jewelcrafting.
With The Burning Crusade Anniversary pre-patch on January 13th, Blood Elves and Draenei become playable immediately, opening up new class combinations such as Horde Paladins and Alliance Shamans for the first time, along with their starting zones, Silvermoon City and The Exodar. Leveling from 20 to 60 will become significantly easier in The Burning Crusade Anniversary thanks to a 15% reduction in required experience and buffs to quest rewards.
Flying mounts become more accessible through reduced costs, addressing one of the original TBC’s steepest early-game barriers. Jewelcrafting also arrives in full, letting players level the profession to 300 and begin preparing gear-enhancing gems before entering Outland. Want to max out this profession before Phase 1 begins? Our Jewelcrafting Leveling can help you achieve that without having to grind.
Phase 1
📌 Phase 1 brings: Level 70 cap, Outland, TBC dungeons and Heroics, Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, Magtheridon.
Phase 1 of The Burning Crusade Anniversary is where the real journey through Outland begins. Players will start leveling from 60 to 70 across all the major zones right from the start, moving through Hellfire Peninsula, Zangarmarsh, Terokkar, and Netherstorm. The first raid tier will also become available with Phase 1 of TBC Anniversary Classic. It includes Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, and Magtheridon’s Lair.
Heroic dungeons will also unlock as an early goal for many groups, since you need a Revered reputation with the right factions before you can enter them. If you want to get access to Heroics early, but don’t want to go through the lengthy process of attuning yourself, our Dungeon Attunement service is exactly what you are looking for.
Phase 2
📌 Phase 2 brings: Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep, profession updates.
Phase 2 of The Burning Crusade Anniversary raises the stakes by opening Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep. Both raids require players to work through attunement chains, including dungeon runs, reputation tasks, and specific questlines, before they can zone in. TPC Phase 2 encourages guilds to coordinate closely, as the encounters are more challenging than those in Phase 1 and demand better planning and teamwork.
This phase is a step up in difficulty. Completing these raids will help players prepare for the even tougher content in Tier 6, making Phase 2 an important part of the progression of the expansion.
Phase 3
📌 Phase 3 brings: Mount Hyjal, Black Temple.
Phase 3 of The Burning Crusade Anniversary moves the game into raid tier 6 with the launch of Mount Hyjal and Black Temple. By this stage, Blizzard will likely start relaxing older attunement steps, making it easier for anyone who’s behind to join in without jumping through as many hoops.
Heroic dungeon access requirements will drop from Revered to Honored, which helps alts and newer characters gear up more quickly. Guilds that struggled in Tier 5 often find the pace more manageable here, while experienced groups push straight into the strongest bosses of the expansion.
Phase 3.5
📌 Phase 3.5 brings: Zul’Aman.
Phase 3.5 of The Burning Crusade Anniversary brings Zul’Aman into the game. This raid is meant as a catch-up tier for players who are joining the expansion late or gearing up alts. It will offer a shorter but still engaging challenge compared to the main tier raids. It gives a chance to earn gear that bridges the gap between Tier 5 and Tier 6, helping people catch up without having to repeat earlier content.
Zul’Aman also includes the famous timed chest run, which rewards the Amani War Bear for groups that complete it efficiently. This adds an extra layer of skill-based rewards and encourages teams to coordinate and push for faster times.
Phase 4
📌 Phase 4 brings: Magister’s Terrace, Sunwell Plateau, Isle of Que’Danas hub.
Phase 4 concludes The Burning Crusade Anniversary with the Sunwell Plateau, one of the hardest raid tiers Blizzard has produced up to that point. The Sunwell storyline pushes the Burning Legion narrative to its climax as players confront Kil’jaeden, with encounters that demand top-tier coordination and near-perfect execution.
Alongside the raid, the Isle of Quel’Danas, a daily hub that fuels server-wide progression through the Shattered Sun Offensive. It unlocks new vendors and provides daily quests. Another big addition in phase 4 is Magister’s Terrace, a 5-player dungeon, which drops great gear.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary FAQ
In this The Burning Crusade Anniversary FAQ, we will answer some of the most common questions about the upcoming expansion.
Is The Burning Crusade Anniversary Included in WoW Subscription?
Yes. Access to The Burning Crusade Anniversary Classic is included in the standard WoW subscription or game time.
Will GDKP Be Allowed in The Burning Crusade Anniversary?
No. GDKP is banned on all Anniversary servers in NA and EU.
When Will Blood Elves and Draenei be Playable in The Burning Crusade Anniversary?
Blood Elves and Draenei will become playable on January 13th, with the release of The Burning Crusade Anniversary pre-patch.
4.9The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition gives players a chance to revisit Outland while enjoying some modern updates. New races, faster leveling, Guild Banks, Dual Spec, and other updates make it easier to jump in and focus on the adventure in The Burning Crusade Anniversary than back in the day.
