Marathon Opens Free Play Week to Public
Bungie's extraction shooter offers free access from December 8 to December 15 alongside Season 3 and the Symbiosis update.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Gaming
Bungie will offer free access to its extraction shooter Marathon during an Open Play Week running from December 8 to December 15. The window coincides with the start of Season 3 and the Symbiosis update.
Why it matters
The promotion gives players a no-cost way to try the game on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series consoles. Bungie says it wants to attract new players and celebrate the new season.
Open Play Week runs for eight days, from December 8 to December 15, 2026, and is free for anyone to access. The announcement does not say how many players are expected to join or whether the promotion will be extended.
The players
Bungie
Bungie is the video game developer known for the Destiny franchise, which is responsible for developing Marathon.
The details
The Open Play Week includes the new Expeditions PvE game mode, the new Bishop shell, and an updated Perimeter map. Players who buy Marathon after the event keep all items and progression unlocked, and players can earn Crew Up rewards by inviting friends.
Timeline
December 8, 2026: Symbiosis update and Season 3 begin, and Open Play Week starts.
December 15, 2026: Open Play Week ends.
Season Trajectory
Free trial windows paired with seasonal launches are a familiar tactic among live-service shooters seeking to rebuild player counts after launch. Marathon's approach places its promotion directly on the Season 3 start, a timing choice that mirrors this established pattern.
Anyone with access to PC, PS5, or Xbox Series consoles can download and play Marathon for free during the event. Players who plan to buy the game later keep their progression and items after the window closes.
The takeaway
Players curious about Marathon have a free eight-day window to try it before deciding whether to purchase. Those who buy afterward will not lose anything they earned during the play week.
What happens next
Open Play Week ends on December 15, 2026, after which the free-access window closes.
Further reading
For more on live-service releases and seasonal updates, explore Gaming.
