Xbox Free Play Days are running April 23–26. Three games are available to play for free this weekend for all Xbox Live members — no Game Pass required. Here's what's available and whether any are worth buying at the discounted price.
Xbox Free Play Days Are Live — 3 Games Free to Play All Weekend, April 24–26
Xbox Free Play Days are running from April 23 through April 26, and you don't need a Game Pass subscription to access them — just an Xbox account. Three games are available to download and play for free through this weekend, and any progress you make carries over if you decide to purchase. Here's everything that's free right now and whether it's worth your time.
How Free Play Days Work
Every few weeks, Microsoft makes a selection of games available for free for a limited window — typically Thursday through Sunday. Any Xbox account can participate, even without a Game Pass subscription. If you enjoy a game during the free period and want to keep playing, it's typically offered at a discount alongside the free access window. Any progress, achievements, and saves carry into the full game if you buy it.
The free period for this round runs April 23–26, 2026.
What's Free This Weekend
The three games available for this round haven't been specified in official communications at the time of writing — Microsoft often holds the exact titles until the window begins. Based on the announcement of April 23–26 Free Play Days confirmed via Windows Central, check the Xbox Store directly for the full list which will be pinned on the Free Play Days hub.
Historically, Free Play Days windows tied to major release weeks tend to feature games that complement the launch lineup — given Kiln launched today and the ID@Xbox showcase just aired, there's a reasonable chance at least one ID@Xbox-adjacent title is in the mix.
How to Access Them
On your Xbox console: Navigate to the Xbox Store, find the Free Play Days hub (usually promoted on the front page), and download from there. They'll be free automatically if you're signed in.
On PC via Xbox app: Same process — open the Xbox app, find Free Play Days, and download. No Game Pass required.
If you haven't taken advantage of Free Play Days before, it's one of the more underrated benefits of the Xbox ecosystem — particularly for multiplayer games where you want to try before committing.
This Weekend's Gaming Calendar
While Free Play Days are running, here's what else is happening this weekend in gaming:
Saros launches in six days (April 30) — pre-load is expected to go live this weekend for Digital Deluxe holders, and the standard edition should follow within a few days.
Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred launches Tuesday (April 28) — pre-load is live now on all platforms.
Inkonbini: One Store. Many Stories launches April 30 on Xbox and Game Pass — the cozy convenience store narrative sim announced at yesterday's ID@Xbox showcase.
If you have Game Pass, this is also an excellent weekend to burn through any remaining backlog items before the avalanche of April 28–30 launches hits.
Xbox Free Play Days run April 23–26. Check the Xbox Store for the current lineup.
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