Star Wars: The Old Republic 7.6 launches August 12 — Dark vs. Light returns with cross-faction matchmaking
Broadsword ships SWTOR 7.6 on August 12 with the return of the Dark vs. Light event, 2 new Flashpoints, Galactic Seasons 9 kickoff, and the long-awaited Cathar species unlock for F2P players. Largest content drop since 7.0.
Broadsword Online Games is shipping Star Wars: The Old Republic 7.6 on August 12, 2026, the largest content drop since the 7.0 expansion in 2024. The update includes the return of the Dark vs. Light event (now with cross-faction matchmaking), 2 new Flashpoints, the Galactic Seasons 9 kickoff, and a long-awaited Cathar species unlock for F2P players.
The Dark vs. Light event
The Dark vs. Light event is one of SWTOR's most beloved recurring events. Players choose a faction and earn points for various activities, with rewards at each tier. The 7.6 iteration adds cross-faction matchmaking — the first time Light and Dark side players can group up for the event. The event runs August 12 - September 23, with 10 titles, 5 mounts, 3 pets, and 2 armor sets as rewards.
2 new Flashpoints
7.6 adds 2 new endgame Flashpoints: "The Hidden Depths" (Manaan) and "The Forgotten Tomb" (Korriban). Both have 3 difficulty modes (Story, Veteran, Master) and unique rewards. Master mode requires level 80 and gear score 330+.
Galactic Seasons 9
The new Galactic Season runs August 12 to December 2 with 50+ cosmetic rewards, including a new stronghold decoration set. PvP activities are now part of the season for the first time.
Cathar species unlock
The Cathar feline species is now available to F2P players for the first time. Existing Cathar characters are automatically upgraded to F2P status. The unlock is a response to community feedback about F2P limitations.
Why it matters
SWTOR's subscriber count is ~250K (down from a 1M+ peak in 2013 but stable for 3 years). The 7.6 launch is the largest content drop in 18 months and is expected to spike the population by 30-50% in the first 2 weeks. Broadsword has been gradually improving the game since taking over from BioWare in 2024, and 7.6 is a sign of long-term commitment.
FAQ
When does 7.6 launch?
August 12, 2026.
Is the Dark vs. Light event F2P?
Yes — open to all players. Highest-tier rewards require Subscriber or Preferred.
Can F2P players create Cathar now?
Yes — the 7.6 update unlocks Cathar for F2P.
How long is Galactic Season 9?
4 months, August 12 to December 2.
Is SWTOR still being updated?
Yes — Broadsword ships major updates every 2-3 months. 7.6 is the largest in 18 months.
How much does it cost to play?
Free up to level 60. Subscriber status is ~$15/month and includes all expansions.
Sources: SWTOR.com, Reddit r/swtor.
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