RuneScape is celebrating 25 years of quests, bosses, skills, and community moments—and the RS25 schedule is packed with reveals that matter to active players. This guide breaks down the biggest announcements (including RuneFest’s return), the key broadcast dates for both games, and what you can do now to be ready for content roadmaps, market shifts, and upcoming integrity changes.

RS25 in one view: what was announced

The RS25 celebration is positioned as a year-long rollout focused on game content, community events, and an “integrity-first” direction. While the anniversary message looks back at major milestones across both versions, the most actionable information for players is the calendar: when roadmaps drop, what major systems are changing, and which live events are coming back.

• RuneFest returns with expanded capacity and a bigger show format.
• RuneScape Ahead arrives in January with a content roadmap and integrity updates for RS3.
• Old School Winter Summit follows with OSRS’s 2026 roadmap and a content poll.
• DragonWilds Summit shares Early Access plans and the year’s roadmap for the survival spin-off.
• Deadman All-Stars Live is confirmed as an in-person US event in 2026.

A quick nostalgia timeline (why RS25 is a big deal)

RS25 highlights how the franchise evolved from RuneScape Classic in 2001 through major turning points: RuneScape 2, Construction, the trade limit era, the return of free trade and the Wilderness, the arrival of Nex, the Evolution of Combat, the launch of Old School RuneScape, and the modern era of new skills like Invention, Archaeology, and Necromancy. On the OSRS side, the timeline calls out defining releases like Zulrah, Zeah, Inferno, Theatre of Blood, mobile, Dragon Slayer II, Song of the Elves, Leagues, Desert Treasure II, and the Varlamore expansion—plus the headline that Sailing is on the way.

This context matters because anniversary years often create two things at once: a surge in returning players and a surge in demand for gear, supplies, and convenience. That combination can shift prices quickly on the Grand Exchange and make preparation worthwhile.

RuneFest is back: dates, location, and what to expect

RuneFest returns on October 3–4 at the Birmingham NEC (UK), with an online component planned for players who can’t attend in person. The show is being expanded to 6,000 tickets, and the format includes two permanent stages running all weekend, including 25th anniversary surprises.

What’s confirmed for the show floor

• Meet and greets and community meetups
• LAN-area previews (hands-on style content experiences)
• Limited edition merch and returning RuneFest favorites
• Skill chips and other collectibles

If you’re planning to attend, assume that travel, tickets, and time off will compete with in-game goals. Many players prep by finishing long grinds early (quests, capes, boss logs) so they can enjoy the event week without feeling “behind.”

For RuneScape 3 players, the most impactful announcement is the January broadcast: RuneScape Ahead on January 19. It’s framed as a reset toward integrity-driven design, including the removal of Treasure Hunter and 225 MTX-related items. Alongside the content roadmap, an “integrity roadmap” is expected to address topics like visual identity, UI, and game balance.

From a practical standpoint, big systemic changes tend to create short-term volatility: some items spike because players expect new metas or returning-player demand; others dip if a supply source changes. If you’re planning upgrades, it can help to keep a flexible budget of RS3 gold so you can react quickly when details are confirmed.

How to prepare for January 19 (without overcommitting)

• Hold a small liquid cash stack rather than locking everything into slow-to-sell items.
• Stock common consumables you know you’ll use (food, potions, charges) instead of speculative hoards.
• Check your presets and action bars so you’re ready if balance changes affect rotations or gear swaps.
• Review account security (authenticator, email security, bank PIN), especially if you’re returning.

If you’re a returning player who wants to jump straight into PvM or skilling goals, having enough currency for baseline supplies and upgrades can save weeks of friction. Some players choose to buy RS3 gold to skip early re-gearing and focus on learning bosses, rebuilding unlocks, or catching up on modern systems.

OSRS: January 25 Winter Summit and the 2026 roadmap

The RS25 schedule also includes the Old School RuneScape Winter Summit on January 25, which will reveal OSRS’s roadmap for 2026. As usual, the summit will be followed by a content poll, meaning community feedback will directly shape what ships.

Even if you primarily play RS3, OSRS announcements can influence the broader RuneScape economy ecosystem—especially for players who split time between versions. If you’re an OSRS main, treat the summit like a planning checkpoint: decide whether your next month is best spent on skilling requirements, combat achievements, or stacking supplies for whatever content is teased.

For players who want to be ready for new bosses or training methods without grinding cash first, it’s common to keep a reserve of OSRS GP for gear repairs, runes, ammunition, and buyable skill materials.

Take a look at: the full Treasure Hunter shutdown timeline and what to do before Jan 19

Deadman All-Stars Live: a US event confirmed for 2026

A major community announcement is the first confirmed live US event: Deadman All-Stars Live, partnering with Solo Mission. It’s scheduled for June 20, 2026 at the Rosemont Theater in Chicago. More details (including ticket-sale timing) are expected around the Winter Summit.

If you’ve never followed Deadman, this is essentially OSRS’s high-stakes competitive scene brought to a live stage. Even if you don’t participate, these events often increase interest in PvP builds, supplies, and certain trade goods as players return to try limited-time modes.

DragonWilds Summit: January 29 and what Early Access means

RuneScape: DragonWilds (the survival entry) is also part of RS25’s broader franchise push. The DragonWilds Summit on January 29 will go deeper on Early Access plans, how player feedback will shape development, and the roadmap for the year. If you’re curious but on the fence, this broadcast should clarify what kind of progression loop the team is aiming for and how “Scapey” the long-term design will be.

Beyond content, RS25 messaging calls out continued investment in services: improved player-support response times, stronger guidance on account security, and ongoing work against bots and cheaters. For everyday players, the most meaningful takeaway is that account protection remains worth doing even if you “only” play casually.

• Enable two-factor authentication and secure your email account.
• Use a bank PIN and keep recovery details up to date.
• Avoid risky third-party tools that can compromise your login.

This matters even more if you keep large banks for bossing or merchanting, or if you maintain extra wealth for upgrades and supplies. Anyone looking for trusted RS3 gold site with secure payment and customer support style services should apply the same mindset to account security: reduce risk first, then optimize convenience.

RS25 merch highlights (vinyl, Lumbridge set, desk mat, pin)

RS25 also includes a merch push designed to bring RuneScape into the real world. The announced items include:

• RS25 Anniversary Deluxe Vinyl Box Set (five discs, boss-themed sleeve artwork)
• Lumbridge Castle micro brick set
• Large-format desk mat featuring iconic characters
• 25th anniversary pin themed around the classic login flames

Merch doesn’t affect in-game progression directly, but anniversary drops often coincide with increased player activity. If you like playing during “high population” periods (more groups, more social energy, more market movement), the RS25 year is likely to deliver that.

Economic prep: how to get ready for roadmap-driven market swings

When roadmaps land, players tend to pivot quickly: new skill rumors trigger buyable material spikes, boss announcements push demand for combat gear, and returning players buy convenience items and consumables in bulk. You don’t need to gamble on speculation to benefit; you just need to reduce friction in your own plans.

Low-risk prep checklist (RS3 and OSRS)

• Finish key unlock quests you’ve been delaying (teleports, access, quality-of-life).
• Organize your bank so you can liquidate quickly if prices move.
• Keep a “supplies week” stash for whatever you do most (Slayer, bossing, skilling).
• Set one clear upgrade goal (weapon, armor, prayer/ability unlock, skilling tool) and save toward it.

If you’re short on time and want to avoid endless grinding during a busy release season, some players look for ways to top up currency efficiently—whether that’s flipping, bossing, or using a best place to buy cheap RS3 gold with fast delivery option so they can focus on learning content rather than rebuilding a cash stack.

Take a look at: key changes during the final Treasure Hunter week and prep tips

Key RS25 dates to remember

• January 19: RuneScape Ahead (RS3 roadmap + integrity updates, including Treasure Hunter removal)
• January 25: Old School Winter Summit (OSRS 2026 roadmap + content poll)
• January 29: DragonWilds Summit (Early Access plans and roadmap)
• October 3–4: RuneFest at Birmingham NEC (UK) + online experience
• June 20, 2026: Deadman All-Stars Live in Chicago

Is RS25 focused on OSRS or RS3?

Both. RS25 is a franchise-wide celebration with separate reveal dates: RS3’s RuneScape Ahead on January 19 and OSRS’s Winter Summit on January 25.

What’s the biggest confirmed gameplay-impacting change so far?

For RS3, the headline is the removal of Treasure Hunter and a large batch of MTX-related items, plus an integrity roadmap touching UI, visuals, and balance.

How should I prep my bank before big roadmap announcements?

Stay flexible: keep some liquid cash, stock only supplies you personally use, and avoid overbuying speculative items until details are confirmed.

Will RuneFest content matter if I can’t attend in person?

Yes. There are plans to bring more of the show experience online, and major announcements typically reach all players quickly after the event.

Secure your account, rebuild a baseline supply stack, and pick one progression lane (quest unlocks, skilling, or PvM). If you need quick purchasing power for upgrades, having access to safe RS3 gold can reduce the early catch-up grind.