Path of Exile: Return of the Ancestors Event Start and End Dates Explained

[GhostPulse0]

If you are looking for a reason to jump back into Path of Exile before the next major update hits, Grinding Gear Games just gave us a pretty solid one. The Return of the Ancestors event is officially here, serving as a three-week bridge to keep us busy before Patch 3.29 drops.
Whether you are trying to map out your league starter or just want to make sure you don't miss the launch window, here is everything you need to know about the schedule, regional times, and how the migration works when it wraps up.
When Does the Event Start and End?
The event runs for exactly 21 days, launching simultaneously across both PC and consoles. It kicks off today, June 25, 2026, and runs until mid-July.
Because PoE launches things globally all at once, your local calendar date might look a little different depending on where you live in the world. Here is the exact breakdown of the regional start and end times so you can plan your day:
Time Zone
Start Time (June 25/26)
End Time (July 16/17)Pacific Time (PDT)
June 25, 3:00 PM
July 16, 3:00 PM
Eastern Time (EDT)
June 25, 6:00 PM
July 16, 6:00 PM
British Time (BST)
June 25, 11:00 PM
July 16, 11:00 PM
Central European (CEST)
June 26, 12:00 AM (Midnight)
July 17, 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Australian Time (AEST)
June 26, 8:00 AM
July 17, 8:00 AM
What to Expect: Economy, Voiding, and Ascendancy Rules
If you are planning to dive in, there are a few structural quirks about this event that you should keep in mind before creating your character.
It's a Fresh Start
You cannot bring your existing characters or gear into this event. It features a completely fresh economy, meaning everyone starts from scratch on Twilight Strand. The good news is that you aren't locked into just one playstyle; you can choose between Standard, Hardcore, Solo Self-Found (SSF), or even Ruthless modes if you really want to punish yourself.
Good News: The Event is Not Voided
One of the biggest bummers about special PoE events is when they are "voided," meaning all your hard work, rare drops, and leveled characters vanish into the void when the timer hits zero. Thankfully, that is not the case here. This event is not voided. When July 16 rolls around, your character, your gear, and all the currency you managed to hoard will automatically transfer over to the parent Mirage league.
The Catch: Ascendancy Migration
There is one important detail regarding your character's build. This event features unique alternate Phrecian Ascendancy classes. Because these classes do not exist in the regular game, they cannot transfer over cleanly.
When the event ends and your character migrates to the standard league, your ascendancy points will be completely wiped. Your character will be reset to a core baseline class, and you will need to reallocate your points based on the standard ascendancy options available. Keep that in mind if you are planning out a build that relies entirely on a specific Phrecian mechanic to function!