Marathon Release Date Leaked on Xbox Store

After years of silence and development hurdles, Bungie's highly anticipated extraction shooter, Marathon, may finally have a concrete launch date. A premature advertisement discovered on the Xbox Store has potentially revealed the game's release, pointing to an early spring launch.

The promotional material, which surfaced briefly before being swiftly removed, suggests a specific date that fans have been waiting for. This leak provides the strongest indication yet that the project is moving toward its long-delayed release, offering a glimpse of hope for a title that has navigated a complex and challenging development path.

The potential release date came to light through a Redditor known as TheJuiceBaba, who spotted a promotional advertisement for Marathon on the Xbox digital storefront. The advertisement featured a teaser trailer that concluded with a definitive call to action for viewers.

The trailer ended with the text: "Coming March 5, 2026. Pre-order now." Shortly after the discovery was shared, the promotional material was pulled from the Xbox Store. However, the recording had already been ripped and mirrored, preserving the evidence of the premature announcement.

This sequence of events—a leak followed by a rapid takedown—is often considered a strong indicator of authenticity for unannounced information. The quick removal suggests the advertisement was published in error, ahead of an official marketing campaign.

• Advertisement spotted on the Xbox Store interface
• Featured a teaser trailer ending with a release date
• Material was removed shortly after discovery
• Recording was preserved and shared online

The potential March 5, 2026, release date arrives after a long and turbulent development period for Marathon. The project was officially delayed into 2026 last June as Bungie worked to incorporate feedback from playtest sessions. This was not the first setback for the game, which has faced multiple delays since its announcement.

Parent company Sony has also highlighted challenges within the project. At the end of the previous year, Sony reported that Bungie had failed to meet its sales and user engagement targets. This shortfall resulted in a significant $200 million impairment charge for the company, reflecting the financial pressures associated with the game's development.

In addition to development delays, Bungie faced accusations of plagiarism in May. An artist accused the studio of lifting aspects of her artwork for Marathon, though the issue has since been resolved. These hurdles have contributed to a period of relative silence surrounding the game until it re-emerged in October.

Following a period of limited public information, Marathon re-emerged in October with the announcement of a new playtest phase. Bungie revealed the extraction shooter was ready for a limited, invite-only playtest, signaling a renewed push toward the game's launch.

This playtest was made available to players in North America and Europe, expanding the testing pool beyond previous internal sessions. The availability across multiple platforms—PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and Steam—demonstrates the studio's commitment to a broad, cross-platform release.

The move to a wider, albeit still limited, playtest suggests the development team is gathering crucial data and feedback to polish the experience. This phase is a critical step in preparing the game for its eventual public debut, ensuring the mechanics and server stability meet player expectations.

• Limited, invite-only playtest announced in October
• Available to players in North America and Europe
• Supported on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam
• Represents a key step in the final development phase

The leaked advertisement aligns with previous rumors regarding Marathon's potential release window and pricing. Prior to this leak, speculation pointed toward a March 2026 window, which this specific date of March 5 now confirms.

Furthermore, the game is expected to launch with a $39.99 price point. This positions Marathon as a premium title, distinct from the free-to-play model of its sibling title, Destiny 2. The pricing strategy reflects the game's scope as a full, extraction-shooter experience.

As an extraction shooter, Marathon represents a significant genre shift for Bungie. The game will compete in a growing market, and its success will be closely watched by both the gaming community and industry analysts. The March 2026 release would place it in a competitive quarter for major game launches.

"Coming March 5, 2026. Pre-order now."

The leaked Xbox Store advertisement provides the most concrete evidence yet that Marathon is on track for its long-awaited release. While the date has not been officially confirmed by Bungie, the rapid removal of the promotional material suggests an official announcement may be imminent.

For fans who have followed the game's turbulent journey, this potential release date represents a turning point. After years of delays, development challenges, and silence, the end of the wait appears to be in sight. The gaming community will now be watching closely for an official confirmation from the studio.

As the planned launch window approaches, Bungie will likely ramp up its marketing efforts. The success of Marathon is critical for the studio, following the reported financial setbacks and the need to re-engage its player base with a new, innovative experience.