Microsoft hints that this year’s Xbox Game Showcase will break from tradition, with new reveals and surprises set to reshape expectations for its biggest gaming event yet.
Twitter that none of Xbox’s first-party games at the Xbox Games Showcase “are full CG trailers,” seemingly a response to a recent CG-heavy showcase from PlayStation maker Sony and some of Microsoft’s past showcases, where early-in-development titles like Fable, Perfect Dark, and Avowed were revealed. Greenberg pledged that “Everything is either in-game footage, in-engine footage, or in-game footage with some cinematics. Each of our trailers will be labeled so it is hopefully clear for our fans.”
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Twitter, perhaps cheekily, that “there will be no movie trailers in our games show.” Sony showed a trailer for its live-action Gran Turismo movie during last month’s PlayStation Showcase, you’ll recall. And Microsoft used some of its time at The Game Awards in 2021 to hype up its Halo TV series.
And unlike last year, the Xbox team won’t promise that everything it shows this year will come out during the following 12-month window, Twitter. Microsoft made that commitment at the 2022 Xbox Games Showcase, a promise it couldn’t deliver on for games like the new Forza Motorsport, Ark 2, and STALKER 2.
Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase will air Sunday, June 11, starting at 10 a.m. PDT/1 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. CEST, and will stream on Xbox’s YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook channels. Immediately after the show, comes Bethesda Softworks’ Starfield Direct. The showcase for Starfield promises “new gameplay, developer interviews, and behind-the-scenes insider information” for the upcoming Windows PC and Xbox Series X game.
When is the next Xbox Games Showcase scheduled
The next Xbox Games Showcase is scheduled for June 8, 2026. This follows the pattern of previous events held around early June, such as the 2025 edition on June 8.
Key Details
Expect the livestream to start at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM BST, similar to last year’s timing, often followed by a dedicated Direct for a featured game. It typically showcases first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and partners, with many launching day-one on Game Pass.
Context from Recent Events
The January 22, 2026, Xbox Developer Direct served as an early-year preview focusing on deep dives into games like Fable and Forza Horizon 6, distinct from the larger summer showcase. No official 2026 summer date has been announced yet as of January 20, but June 8 aligns with Summer Game Fest scheduling.
How long will the Xbox Games Showcase stream last
Xbox Games Showcase streams typically last around 90 minutes to 2 hours, based on recent events like the 2025 edition.
Past Durations
The 2025 showcase ran for approximately 2 hours, doubling the prior year’s 77-minute length, as confirmed by Microsoft VP Aaron Greenberg. Earlier events, such as 2023 and 2024, averaged about 60-90 minutes before any follow-up Directs.
2026 Expectations
No official duration has been announced for the anticipated June 2026 event, but patterns suggest 1.5-2 hours to accommodate 25-30 game reveals. The recent Xbox Developer Direct on January 22 lasted about 45 minutes, highlighting its more focused format.
