Riders Republic Hits Switch 2 on December 9, 2026

 

Riders Republic extreme sports gameplay
Image: Ubisoft

Riders Republic is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on December 9, 2026. Ubisoft announced the date during the game's 5th anniversary showcase on October 22, confirming a worldwide Switch 2 launch for its open-world extreme sports game. The announcement lands alongside a free weekend that runs until October 26, giving new players a final chance to try the game free before the Switch 2 version arrives.

Key Takeaways

  • Riders Republic launches worldwide on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 9, 2026.
  • Riders Republic is free to play on all available platforms from October 22 to October 26, 2026.
  • Riders Republic progress from the free weekend carries over if players buy the game.
  • Riders Republic is discounted by up to 90% on the Ubisoft Store through October 26, and up to 80% on PlayStation and Xbox through November 4.

When does Riders Republic release on Switch 2?

Riders Republic releases on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 9, 2026. Ubisoft confirmed the worldwide date as part of the game's 5th anniversary showcase, with multiple outlets reporting the announcement on October 22 and 23. The Switch 2 version joins the existing PlayStation, Xbox and PC versions, which have been available since the game's original 2021 launch.

A Switch 2 price has not been announced yet. Reporting on the announcement notes that a price is expected closer to the December 9 launch window, so Switch 2 owners should watch the Nintendo eShop listing as December approaches. The game will be sold through Nintendo's store and retail, like other Switch 2 releases.

When does the Riders Republic free weekend end?

Riders Republic Yosemite gameplay screenshot
Image: Ubisoft


The Riders Republic free weekend ends October 26, 2026. Players can jump into the full game free on all available platforms from October 22 to October 26, including PC, PlayStation and Xbox. The free weekend is part of the 5th anniversary celebrations, and it is the last free window announced for the game before the Switch 2 launch.

Progress made during the free weekend carries over. If players buy the game after trying it free, everything they unlocked stays with them. That makes the weekend a proper trial rather than a demo, since nothing is lost by waiting to buy.

Discounts run alongside the free weekend. The Ubisoft Store offers up to 90% off through October 26, while PlayStation and Xbox offer up to 80% off through November 4. Players who want the cheapest route should buy before the Ubisoft Store discount ends on October 26, while console players have until November 4.

What is new in Riders Republic for its 5th anniversary?

Riders Republic multiplayer gameplay screenshot
Image: Ubisoft



The 5th anniversary celebration adds events, rewards and crossover content to Riders Republic. Ubisoft has prepared anniversary events and exclusive anniversary gear, plus crossover content inspired by its own franchises, including Assassin's Creed, Rayman, Just Dance, The Crew Motorfest, For Honor, Skull and Bones and Brawlhalla. An in-game concert featuring Belgian DJ Henri PFR is also part of the celebration, with the collaboration running from October 22 to November 4.

The game itself remains a massive multiplayer playground set across landscapes inspired by America's national parks. Players race bikes, ski, snowboard, wingsuit and rocket-wingsuit through open terrain, either solo or in squads. Mass start races support more than 50 players on new-generation consoles, alongside team PvP arena modes, trick competitions and online cups. Ubisoft says more than 17 million players have tried the game since launch.

How does Riders Republic play?

Riders Republic is built around freedom. The game drops players into a huge open world stitched together from America's national parks, and lets them switch between sports at will. Biking, skiing, snowboarding, wingsuiting and rocket wingsuiting all share the same map, so a race can start on a mountain trail and end in the air. Players can ride solo or squad up with friends, and the game supports mass start races with more than 50 players on new-generation consoles.

Beyond racing, the game offers team PvP arena modes, trick competitions and online cups, giving competitive players a reason to return after the campaign content runs out. The 5th anniversary crossover content adds another layer, with gear and events inspired by Assassin's Creed, Rayman, Just Dance, The Crew Motorfest, For Honor, Skull and Bones and Brawlhalla. For a game that has already drawn more than 17 million players, the anniversary content is designed to pull lapsed players back in ahead of the Switch 2 launch.

Should you try Riders Republic before the Switch 2 launch?

Yes, if you own a PlayStation, Xbox or PC. The free weekend costs nothing, progress carries over, and the discounts make buying cheap if the game clicks. The Switch 2 version is still seven weeks away, so the free weekend is the fastest way to learn the game's sports and maps before deciding whether to buy it again on Nintendo's console.

Switch 2 owners without another platform will need to wait until December 9. The Switch 2 version has not been shown running on the hardware yet, so performance and features for that version are still unconfirmed. Ubisoft's announcement only confirms the date, not technical details, and players should treat any performance claims before launch as unconfirmed.

Related on Nexorift: Xbox Free Play Days: 6 games free this weekend, Nintendo Switch Sports Resort on Switch 2, and It Takes Two Switch 2 release date.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Riders Republic release on Switch 2?

Riders Republic launches worldwide on Nintendo Switch 2 on December 9, 2026.

When does the Riders Republic free weekend end?

The free weekend runs from October 22 to October 26, 2026, on all available platforms, and progress carries over if you buy the game.

How much is Riders Republic on sale for?

The game is up to 90% off on the Ubisoft Store through October 26, and up to 80% off on PlayStation and Xbox through November 4. The Switch 2 price is not confirmed yet.

What sports are in Riders Republic?

Riders Republic includes biking, skiing, snowboarding, wingsuiting and rocket wingsuiting across open-world maps inspired by US national parks, with multiplayer races for more than 50 players.

Sources: MKAU Gaming, Impulse Gamer, Capsule Computers, GG.deals.

Images: Ubisoft.

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