If you've been itching to jump back into the auto-battler arenas or want to mess around with some completely fresh character builds, you're in luck. The Path of Exile:
Return of the Ancestors event is officially live right now. It kicked off on June 25, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT, giving us a perfect excuse to dive back into the game and see what Grinding Gear Games has cooked up for this special run.
Whether you're already deeply invested in the tournament or just plotting out your starter character, keeping an eye on the clock is pretty essential for planning your grind. Here is a breakdown of the schedule and what you need to know to make the most of the event.
Event Schedule and Duration
The event is scheduled to run for exactly three weeks, which gives us plenty of time to build up a solid character, experiment with the mechanics, and push for end-game rewards.
Start Date: June 25, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT
End Date: July 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT
Time Remaining Countdown
Because these short-term events fly by quickly, it helps to know exactly how much time is left on the clock. Right now, we have exactly 16 days, 14 hours, and 9 minutes left before the doors shut on July 16. That is just over two weeks to min-max your setups, climb the tournament ranks, and secure your loot.
A Quick Overview of What to Expect
If you are wondering if this event is worth your time, here is a quick look at what makes it special:
The Trial is Back: The core mechanic brings back the Trial of the Ancestors auto-battler tournament. If you missed drafting warriors, positioning your field, and fighting alongside your favorite chieftains, this is your chance to do it all over again.
Phrecian Ascendancy Classes: Instead of the usual ascendancies we all know by heart, the standard options are completely swapped out for alternate Phrecian Ascendancy classes. This shakes up the meta significantly, forcing everyone to rethink passive trees and skill synergies.
Your Progress is Safe: A major bonus for this event is that it is not voided. A lot of players hesitate to go hard in temporary events because they don't want their hard work deleted, but everything you earn here is safe. Once the event wraps up on July 16, all your characters and items will safely migrate to the parent leagues.
Global Access: No matter what hardware you prefer to play on, you won't be left out. The event is up and running globally across both PC and consoles.
If you want to keep a close eye on the live progression ladders or double-check the specific tournament rules, you can head over to the official Path of Exile Event Forum Announcement to see how the community is fairing.
