COSM-GAME Borderlands 4 Free Play Weekend and Anniversary Sale
Borderlands 4 opened its Free Play Weekend at 10:00 AM PT on September 10, 2026, which fell on September 11 in UTC+7, alongside the game's first anniversary sale from 2K and Gearbox Software. Steam players can access the base game and its free post-launch additions through September 14 at 10:00 AM PT, while XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members also receive weekend access through September 13. Progress, loot and Achievements can carry into a purchased copy on the same platform, and the Steam anniversary sale discounts the Standard, Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions by 50%.
Game summary
On this page
Free Play Weekend schedule and access
Borderlands 4 is temporarily available to play without buying the base game as part of its first anniversary promotion. On Steam, free access started at 10:00 AM PT on September 10, 2026 and runs until 10:00 AM PT on September 14. For UTC+7, that window runs from September 11 through the beginning of September 15.
| Platform or service | Free access | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | September 10 at 10:00 AM PT to September 14 at 10:00 AM PT | Steam account and Internet connection |
| XBOX Series X|S | September 10 through September 13 | XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium or Essential |
| PlayStation 5 | Free Trial listed on the official game page | PlayStation account |
The Steam promotion covers the complete Borderlands 4 base game rather than a limited opening chapter. Players can fight through the campaign, explore Kairos, take on bosses and use free post-launch additions including Circle of Slaughter mode.
Paid DLC remains separate from the free base game
The Free Play Weekend does not temporarily unlock every paid expansion or playable DLC Vault Hunter. The promotion provides the base game and content that has been released free to all owners.
This distinction also applies when playing in co-op with someone who owns paid content. A friend who owns a DLC Vault Hunter can continue playing that character. The official announcement specifically uses Loveless the Hacker as an example. However, if a free player is part of the group, the party is limited to missions that are included with the free base-game access.
- The Borderlands 4 base campaign is included.
- Free post-launch additions such as Circle of Slaughter are included.
- Paid DLC missions are not unlocked by the Free Play Weekend.
- Players who already own a DLC Vault Hunter can still use that character.
Progress and loot carry into a purchased copy
Players who decide to buy Borderlands 4 after trying it can continue from their Free Play Weekend save rather than beginning again. The promotion states that progress, loot and Achievements carry over when an edition of Borderlands 4 is purchased on the same platform.
Borderlands 4 also supports Cross-Platform Saves through a free SHiFT Account. That system is intended for players who own the game across different supported platforms and want to continue their Vault Hunter progress between those copies.
Note: After the free period ends, Borderlands 4 must be purchased on the same platform to continue using the Free Play Weekend installation and any add-ons associated with it. Internet access and the relevant platform account are also required.
Cross-play remains available during the promotion
The free period does not isolate new players from existing owners. Borderlands 4 remains cross-play enabled, allowing players on supported platforms to form groups even when they are not using the same platform.
This makes the Free Play Weekend particularly relevant to existing groups with a player who has not purchased Borderlands 4. The new player can enter the base-game content during the promotion while friends who already own the game continue using their existing characters and equipment, subject to the base-game mission restriction when paid DLC content is involved.
The first anniversary sale cuts Steam editions by 50 percent
The free access is running alongside a first anniversary sale marking one year since Borderlands 4 launched in September 2025. The promotion is described as multi-platform, although pricing and availability can differ by region and storefront.
| Steam edition | Anniversary discount | Steam offer end |
|---|---|---|
| Borderlands 4 | 50 percent off | September 24 at 10:00 AM PT |
| Borderlands 4 Deluxe Edition | 50 percent off | September 24 at 10:00 AM PT |
| Borderlands 4 Super Deluxe Edition | 50 percent off | September 24 at 10:00 AM PT |
The Steam promotion lasts longer than the Free Play Weekend, so players can finish the trial period before the anniversary discount ends. The discounts are digital offers based on 2K's suggested retail pricing, and pricing or availability can vary by region and platform.
Steam also adds anniversary bundles
The anniversary promotion includes additional Steam bundle options. The Mayhem Bundle combines Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3 and Borderlands 4 with Borderlands 4 Story Pack 1: Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned. A second bundle combines Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 4.
Steam's Complete Your Collection pricing applies to these bundles. If an account already owns one or more included games, Steam calculates the available bundle price around the content that remains to be purchased.
The promotion follows Borderlands 4's first year
Borderlands 4 originally launched on September 12, 2025 for PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store. The first anniversary promotion therefore arrives almost exactly one year after the original release while the game continues receiving free updates and paid downloadable content.
The Free Play Weekend gives players a temporary route into the full base-game experience, while the anniversary sale provides a longer purchase window after the free access closes. On Steam, free access ends September 14 at 10:00 AM PT, while the confirmed 50 percent edition discounts remain available until September 24 at 10:00 AM PT.
Trailer, screenshots, and media
FAQ
10 questionsSteam free access ends on September 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT. That corresponds to September 15 in UTC+7.
Steam players can access the complete base game, including free post-launch additions such as Circle of Slaughter mode. Paid DLC missions are not included with the free base-game access.
Yes. Progress, loot and Achievements carry over if you purchase the game on the same platform after the Free Play Weekend.
Yes. Friends can continue using DLC Vault Hunters they own, including Loveless the Hacker, but a group containing a free player is limited to missions included with the free base-game content.
Yes. Borderlands 4 supports cross-play, so players can team up across supported platforms.
Yes. Cross-Platform Saves are available through a free SHiFT Account for players who own Borderlands 4 on multiple supported platforms.
Yes. The first anniversary promotion is a limited-time multi-platform digital sale. On Steam, Borderlands 4, the Deluxe Edition and the Super Deluxe Edition are each discounted by 50%.
The Steam anniversary offers end on September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT.
Yes. Borderlands 4 is included in XBOX Free Play Days from September 10 through September 13 for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members.
Yes. The official PlayStation 5 page lists a free trial for the Standard Edition.