ARC Raiders Is Pausing Expeditions Until 2027
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Embark Studios has announced that the 5th Expedition in ARC Raiders will be the last one before the entire Expeditions system goes on pause — it won’t return until early 2027, and it’ll come back reworked. Here’s the exact schedule for the 5th Expedition, what changed in the format right now, and what happens to unfinished Caravans and the Zenith outfit.
Why Expeditions are being paused
On August 21, 2026, Embark Studios published an official post titled “The 5th Expedition.” In it, the developer states plainly: the 5th Expedition will be the last one before the system is paused, and it won’t come back until early 2027. The wording leaves little room for interpretation — this isn’t a cancellation of the Expeditions format, it’s a deliberate pause for a rework. When the system returns, the studio says, it will come with major improvements.
This isn’t the first sign that something about the format needed fixing — the ARC Raiders community has flagged tight deadlines and an awkward reward structure as the format’s weak points before. Alongside this announcement, Embark is also shifting the schedule for other updates; you can read more about that in our roundup of the latest ARC Raiders updates.
5th Expedition schedule and the Trials pause
The 5th Expedition itself isn’t going anywhere — it’ll run on the usual format, it’s just going to be the last one before the pause. Here’s the exact timing from the official announcement:
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| 5th Expedition starts | September 8, 13:00 CEST |
| 5th Expedition ends | September 29, 10:00 CEST |
| Trials season pause | September 22 through October 7 |
Note that the Trials season pause starts before the Expedition itself even wraps up, and it runs for almost two weeks. It’s a separate, standalone break — don’t confuse it with the pause for the whole Expeditions system, which kicks in only after September 29.
What changed in the Expedition format itself
Alongside the announcement of this final Expedition, Embark Studios rolled out several structural changes that clearly laid the groundwork for the bigger rework to come:
- The “last call” feature is gone. Players used to be able to join an Expedition at the very last moment before the sign-up window closed; that’s no longer possible — registration now closes strictly on schedule.
- The Departure window got longer. The time allotted to finish runs (Departure) was extended from 2 to 3 weeks — a direct response to player complaints about the deadlines being too tight.
- A new option keeps quest progress intact. Previously, moving between expeditions reset your quest-line progress; now players can opt out of that reset and keep what they’ve earned.
Together, these three changes look like a testing ground ahead of the bigger overhaul — the studio is trying out individual pieces before pausing the whole system. If you’re curious how progression and skills work in the game more broadly, our guide on progression and the workshop covers it in detail.
What happens to Caravans and how to claim the Zenith outfit
One separate — and arguably the most practical — part of the announcement is the fate of unfinished Caravans. If a player has incomplete Caravans when the pause begins, they’ll automatically convert into vouchers from a new trader named Ermal. That means progress invested in a Caravan doesn’t just vanish — it can still be cashed in through the new NPC. Caravans are tightly tied to the game’s broader economy, and if you’re not familiar with how trading works in ARC Raiders, it’s worth checking our piece on economy and trading.
The second bonus is purely cosmetic, but a notable one. Players who complete all five Expeditions in a row (including this final fifth one) will unlock the full Zenith outfit. It’s one of the few ways to get an exclusive cosmetic set purely for participating in the seasonal format rather than buying it. If you’re wondering about other ways to get exclusive cosmetics in the game, take a look at our roundup of editions and bundles.
FAQ
When does the 5th Expedition start and end? It starts September 8 at 13:00 CEST and ends September 29 at 10:00 CEST.
Why is Embark Studios pausing Expeditions? Per the official statement from August 21, 2026 — to bring the system back in early 2027 with major improvements.
What happens to unfinished Caravans during the pause? They convert into vouchers from a new trader named Ermal.
How do you get the Zenith outfit? Complete all five Expeditions in a row.
What exactly was removed and added in the format? “Last call” was removed, the Departure window was extended from 2 to 3 weeks, and an option to keep quest progress was added.
When is the Trials season paused? From September 22 through October 7.
Bottom line
The 5th Expedition in ARC Raiders (September 8-29) will be the last one before the entire system pauses until early 2027. Alongside it, Embark removed “last call,” extended the Departure window from 2 to 3 weeks, and added an option to keep quest progress. Unfinished Caravans convert into Ermal vouchers, and completing all five Expeditions unlocks the full Zenith outfit. If you’ve been waiting for a break in the schedule, now is the best time to finish what you started — there won’t be a new Expedition again until 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 5th Expedition start and end?
It starts September 8 at 13:00 CEST and ends September 29 at 10:00 CEST, per the official Embark Studios announcement.
Why is Embark Studios pausing the Expeditions system?
Per the official statement from August 21, 2026, the studio wants to bring the system back in early 2027 with major improvements — so this is a pause for a rework, not a cancellation of the format.
What happens to unfinished Caravans during the pause?
They are automatically converted into vouchers from a new trader named Ermal, so the progress players put into them isn't lost.
How do you unlock the full Zenith outfit?
You need to complete all five Expeditions in a row, including this final fifth one.
What exactly changed in the Expedition format itself?
The 'last call' feature was removed, the Departure window was extended from 2 to 3 weeks, and a new opt-out option lets players keep their quest progress between expeditions.
When is the Trials season paused, and for how long?
From September 22 to October 7 — a separate, shorter pause than the break for the entire Expeditions system.