Official hype for WWE 2K26 is starting to pick up steam, and one of the biggest talking points ahead of its launch is the likely return of The Island, because that’s all we currently know about the game. 2K has been really silent about it despite the release window getting close.
For those unfamiliar, The Island was first introduced in WWE 2K25 so it’s fairly new. You could compare it to The City from NBA 2K; they are pretty much identical in concept. Although 2K hasn’t shown anything, we know it’s coming because of how the Island story ended in WWE 2K25. The mode is shaping up to be a central part of WWE 2K26’s online experience, even as fans debate how it can be improved.
The original version of The Island drew criticism in WWE 2K25 for feeling repetitive, filled with microtransactions, and serving as a busy cosmetic store rather than a fully fleshed-out online hub. It’s returning in WWE 2K26 so fans are skeptical of whether it’s going to be improved or not.
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What We Know About 2K26 The Island
Similar to NBA 2K’s The City, The Island is a hub where players can explore themed areas as their own wrestler, take part in online matches, and buy gear with real-world money or in-game virtual currency (VC).
In 2K25, the narrative focused on dethroning Roman Reigns, ending with a tease that the story wasn’t over. That tease now appears to set up WWE 2K26’s iteration of The Island.
According to recent insight from industry sources, the returning Island mode in 2K26 will build on that setup with a new narrative centered around a power struggle between three rival factions. Sadly, there is no confirmed news on what these factions will be. There are speculations that one of them is called the Order of Anarchy, but it’s not confirmed in any way. It’s also not confirmed whether the Island will be on PC or not, as it wasn’t in WWE 2K25. Honestly, if the mode remains the same as it was last year, I’ll happily pass on it.
As anticipation builds ahead of a likely March 2026 release window, fans will be watching closely for official reveals of Island improvements, narrative structure, and exactly how The Island will fit into the broader online roadmap for WWE 2K26.
