CD Projekt has confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past will make its first official appearance during Gamescom 2026 Opening Night Live, giving players their first proper look at the long-awaited expansion ahead of its 2027 release.
Announced earlier this year, Songs of the Past is the third expansion for The Witcher 3, arriving more than a decade after the original game launched and following the acclaimed Blood and Wine expansion released in 2016. The project is being co-developed by CD Projekt Red and Fool's Theory, a studio that includes developers who previously worked on The Witcher 3.
The expansion will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, bringing players back into the role of Geralt of Rivia for a brand-new adventure set after the events of the original game.
According to joint CEO Michał Nowakowski, the story is designed to stand on its own while also helping set the stage for The Witcher 4. Although he stopped short of calling it a direct prologue, he said the expansion is intended to reconnect players with the world of The Witcher before the franchise's next mainline entry arrives.
Speaking to investors earlier this year, Nowakowski said the studio's primary goal was to deliver a high-quality expansion that gives longtime fans another reason to return to The Witcher 3, rather than simply keeping the series in the spotlight. While the project naturally helps maintain interest in the franchise, he said the focus remains on creating a memorable standalone adventure.
The executive also explained why the expansion slipped beyond its previously expected launch window. Although CD Projekt had at one stage planned to release Songs of the Past in 2026, the company ultimately delayed it to 2027 to give the development team additional time to achieve the best possible result for players.
During a recent livestream celebrating the 10th anniversary of Blood and Wine, CD Projekt shared several new hints about the expansion without revealing major story details. Community managers pointed fans toward artwork released during the Belleteyn celebration, where Geralt is seen resting beside a bonfire with Dandelion while villagers celebrate.
The artwork also introduced Geralt's mysterious new sword, which CD Projekt confirmed plays an important role in the expansion's story. While the studio declined to explain its significance, it said players will discover its purpose when the expansion launches.
CD Projekt also confirmed that Songs of the Past will be comparable in scope to Blood and Wine, setting expectations for another full-sized expansion rather than a smaller DLC. The expansion will also introduce new Gwent cards, while cross-platform mod support for The Witcher 3 remains in development for a future update.
Although CD Projekt has yet to showcase gameplay since announcing the expansion in May, Opening Night Live on August 25 is expected to provide the first substantial look at the project.
The reveal comes as The Witcher 3 continues to achieve new milestones more than a decade after launch, with over 65 million copies sold worldwide. Alongside Songs of the Past, CD Projekt is also developing The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, making the expansion an important part of the studio's long-term roadmap.