I went into this week's deals expecting a light browse and came out with the kind of shortlist that threatens friendships and free time. This is one of those rare lineups where variety, value, and sheer time-sink potential all collide. I have played most of these, regretted none, and my sleep schedule still has not forgiven me.
In retro news, I’m using the snap of a perfectly matched triple to light a 17-candle cake baked for Magnetica, the fast-twitch, stylus-driven Zuma-like that sent chains of glossy marbles snaking towards oblivion on my DS. I was there in 2007, flicking spheres into place with a stylus, watching colours slam together with that deeply satisfying click that told me my run was still alive.
What stuck with me then (and still does now) is how Magnetica took the familiar colour-matching formula and injected real physical tension into it. There was a pressure of constant forward motion, and precision mattered more than brute speed, especially in later stages where a single mistake could erase ten minutes of hard-fought progress. At which point you'd hear me shriek obscenities from your house.
Borderlands 3 Ult. (-51%) A$44.10 A chaotic loot shooter stuffed with DLC, bad jokes, and absurd guns. Still one of the best co-op stress relievers around if you enjoy numbers going up very fast.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Col. (-49%) A$43.50 A nostalgia hit with real mechanical depth. These grid-based battles remain clever, twitchy, and weirdly modern.
Bravely Default II (-39%) A$49.10 Classic JRPG bones with flexible job systems that reward experimentation. Story takes its time, but the combat depth absolutely pays off.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes (-41%) A$47.00 Musou chaos meets Three Houses politics. It is fan fiction energy done right, with surprisingly strong character work between battlefield meltdowns.
NBA 2K26 (-67%) A$29.90 A portable hoops fix that trades visuals for convenience. Career modes still hook, even if the Switch hardware is doing its best.
Battlefield 6 (-37%) A$69 Large-scale chaos with renewed focus on teamwork and map flow. When it clicks, it feels like classic Battlefield muscle memory returning.
EA Sports FC 26 (-60%) A$49.90 Slick presentation and smart tactical tweaks keep it dominant. Career mode tinkering is where the real time disappears.
Castle Crashers Rem. (-50%) A$9.90 A co-op classic that still lands its jokes and brawling chaos. Perfect couch multiplayer palate cleanser.
Mafia: The Old Country (-48%) A$47 Slow-burn crime drama with strong atmosphere. Less sandbox mayhem, more lived-in storytelling.
Borderlands 4 (-59%) A$49 Louder, sillier, and mechanically deeper. Buildcraft fans will lose weekends here without noticing.
Xbox One
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (-82%) A$14.90 A genuinely heartfelt superhero story with killer banter. Combat is fine, writing is excellent.
LEGO The Incredibles (-38%) A$8.90 Bright, breezy fun built for drop-in co-op. It understands Pixar tone better than it needs to.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (-39%) A$44.10 Kojima unleashed. The systems-driven stealth remains unmatched, even if the online servers are now shuttered.
Adam Mathew is a passionate connoisseur, a lifelong game critic, and an Aussie deals wrangler who genuinely wants to hook you up with stuff that's worth playing (but also cheap). He plays practically everything, sometimes on YouTube.
When it comes to choosing from the dozens of available streaming services, there are two big variables to consider: price and content – and we know price is especially important for those working within a typical student budget. Thankfully, there are sizeable discounts available to students from some of the best streaming services out there.
To help you save this back to school season, we’ve compiled a list of the best streaming discounts for students, with consideration for the quality of the deal and the service. These are the eight best student streaming deals for 2026.
TL;DR: The Best Streaming Discounts for Students
1. Hulu (83% off)
The best deal available to students from any of the major streaming platforms comes from Hulu. At $1.99/month, the student rate is a full $10 of the standard $11.99 This rate applies to Hulu’s ad-supported service and is available so long as you’re a student.
Hulu has one of the best selections of TV series. It’s the exclusive streaming home to acclaimed, FX-developed originals like The Bear and Shogun, which sit alongside hit comedies like Futurama, Solar Opposites, and Letterkenny. You’ll also find every season of Bob’s Burgers, Abbott Elementary, What We Do in the Shadows, Atlanta, Justified, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Students can also get Hulu at a discounted rate as part of a Spotify promotion (more below).
Check out our complete list of Hulu deals and bundles.
2. Amazon Prime (50% off)
Another premier streaming service available at a discount to students is Prime Video, which recently rolled out its new Prime for Young Adults discounts. The student prices of $7.49/month or $70/year is half off the regular rates of $15/month and $140/year. But maybe best of all, Prime Student has an extremely generous six month free trial program. You also don't actually have to be a student to take advantage of this offer. If you're between the ages of 18 and 24, Amazon will let you gain access to the free trial and discount.
Prime Video has an expansive library of shows and movies, including must-see original series like The Boys and Fallout, as well as blockbuster films like Oppenheimer and Top Gun: Maverick. The subscription includes all the other perks of Prime, namely free shipping and free food delivery through Grubhub.
3. HBO Max (50% off)
HBO Max is the most recent addition to the list of streaming services with student discounts. The student rate cuts the monthly cost of the HBO Max Basic Plan With Ads from $10.99 down to just $5.99. While HBO Max unfortunately doesn't offer a free trial, the 50% discount lasts for as long as you can verify your student status through UNiDAYS.
The Warner Bros.-owned service recently returned to its original name, and continues to brand itself as the place to find "high-quality" entertainment. Of, course you get all of Warner Bros., as well as the DCU (both past and present), all of the Studio Ghibli movies, and HBO originals like White Lotus, The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones. HBO Max also recently struck a deal with GKIDS to become the streaming home for several rare anime movies.
Paramount+ offers a 50% discount for students across all of its streaming plans, reducing its regular $8.99/month rate to around $4.49.
The streamer has a diverse library of content that’s great for fans of reality TV (Survivor, The Amazing Race, Big Brother, The Challenge, Ru Paul’s Drag Race), procedural crime dramas (NCIS, Blue Bloods, FBI, Hawaii Five-O, CSI), and Star Trek (The Original Series, The Next Generation, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Discovery, the original 1979 movie, and the three reboot films). Other notable series on Paramount+ include the original Twilight Zone, Yellowjackets, Halo, and two Yellowstone spinoffs: 1923 and 1883. Paramount+ is also the streaming home of Paramount’s theatrical releases.
5. Apple Music with Apple TV+ (70% off)
Apple offers college students its music service at a discounted rate with Apple TV+ thrown in at no additional charge, allowing you to get Apple Music and Apple TV+ for $6/month (following a one-month free trial) — a 70% discount on an Apple One subscription, which is otherwise the cheapest way to access Apple Music and TV+. The deal is available to students for up to four years.
Apple Music has the benefit of being integrated into the widespread iPhone/Apple ecosystem and includes over 100 million songs, exclusive concerts, and original shows. The app is supported across all Apple devices in addition to PlayStation, Xbox, and smart TVs.
As part of the included Apple TV+ subscription, you’ll gain access to a library of shows and movies, both original and licensed, including Severance, Masters of the Air, Ted Lasso, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, and Matthew Vaughn’s latest spy action-comedy Argylle.
6. Spotify with Hulu (50% off minimum)
Students who prefer Spotify to Apple Music can also get their music for $6/month (after one month free). Like its competitor, Spotify throws in a TV/movie sub through its partnership with Hulu for a combined discount of 68%. Like Apple Music, Spotify offers the deal to students for up to four years, which is one of the best overall streaming bundles for students.
Unlike the free version, Spotify Premium allows you to listen to its 100 million songs in any order and listen to downloaded music offline. Spotify has the largest market share of any music streaming service. It’s often praised for the quality of its curated playlists and more robust social features.
7. Peacock (62% off)
Peacock, NBC Universal’s streaming service, is offered to students for $2.99/month — almost 63% off the (recently increased) regular monthly rate of $7.99 — for a full year.
Peacock is an excellent option for those looking for lighter viewing options with sitcoms like The Office, Parks and Rec, Modern Family, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as well as reality series such as Below Deck, Love Island, The Real Housewives, and The Traitors. Recent original series from the streamer include Twisted Metal, Ted, and Poker Face. Peacock also gets all Universal Pictures movies as they come to streaming, giving you access to recent releases like Kung Fu Panda 4 and Monkey Man.
Students can enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience with a Premium subscription for $8/month (after one free month) — 43% off the regular price of $14. While ad-free viewing is the big selling point here, other Premium perks include the ability to watch downloaded videos offline and a free sub to YouTube Music Premium.
What Are the Best Free Streaming Services?
There are also several streaming options available to students (and others) at no cost. These include ad-supported apps like the Roku Channel, Tubi, and Freevee, which offer thousands of free-to-stream shows and movies. You can check out our guides to the best free streaming sites and apps below:
Disney+ does not officially offer a student discount, though students can save 15% on an annual subscription through the site UNiDAYS. You’ll be required to verify your student status, at which point you’ll be able to take advantage of the offer. Otherwise, you'll need to pick one of the full-priced Disney+ plans and bundles for options.
Does Netflix have a student discount?
No, Netflix does not offer a student discount or a free trial. Netflix subscriptions begin at $7/month with ads or $15.50/month without. The streamer also offers a $23/month Premium subscription, which is the only way to stream 4K content on Netflix. You can Check out our complete Netflix pricing guidefor more info about the service.
Jordan Sirani covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.
The Tomtoc Slim is one of the best compact Nintendo Switch 2 cases you can get and it's on sale today. Amazon has it in your choice of several colors starting at just $24.99 after up to 32% off in savings. The gray and matcha green models in particular are less expensive than what I saw during Black Friday. It's also a much better deal than the official Nintendo Switch 2 case which currently sells for $39.99 and, in our opinion, has lower overall build quality.
Tomtoc Slim Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case for $24.99
Tomtoc has a history of making great cases for mobile electronics, including most current gaming handhelds like the original Switch and Switch Lite, Steam Deck, and Asus ROG Ally. Its signature trademark is the raised indent patterning for each handheld's analog joystick and button layout. This is mostly an aesthetic touch, but it helps set Tomtoc cases apart.
Material-wise, the Tomtoc is a molded hard shell case with a felt inner lining. It has an interior flap that can fit up to 12 game cards, a buckle strap, and durable YKK zipper that's smoother and easier to use than the Genki Sleeper case. Note that since this is a slim case with as minimal of a footprint as possible, there's no room to fit a charger.
Need something bigger?
If you're looking for something roomier, Tomtoc also has a sling-style case that's specifically made for portable gaming handhelds including the Switch 2. The padded compartment is shaped like a "W" to make room for a wide range of handhelds that have dual analog joysticks. It's not specifically designed for the Switch 2, so don't expect a molded fit, but there's plenty of room here to fit extra controllers, a charger or power bank, and more.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
The original art director of Magic: The Gathering, Jesper Myrfors, has once again taken to social media to offer some interesting behind-the-scenes insight into the early days of the game, this time explaining his efforts to ensure Magic "celebrated female empowerment along with male empowerment" through a simple rule: "No babe art!"
In a Facebook post over the weekend, Myrfors spoke at length about his intentions for inclusivity in card art, and his efforts to hire women artists for the game. He says he wanted to ensure that Magic was appealing to women and men, particularly in the midst of a wider gaming environment that was often "less appealing for women" in no small part due to portrayals of female characters as "window dressing".
Here's how Myrfors put it:
When I was art directing Magic, one of my rules was "No babe art!" That is no artwork that shows a scantily clad woman in a subservient or weak position. I really did want Magic to appeal to a broader group than traditional fantasy. My gaming groups had included women for years, I saw the things about gaming that made it less appealing for women first hand. I also firmly believe that women have a bigger role in fantasy than window dressing. I made a point of hiring a lot of women artists on the game because I wanted magic to have it's own look and I figured in a male dominated industry, the voices that are not as often heard would provide that look easily. While we leaned on tropes I wanted to avoid clichés. I wanted this to be a world that celebrated female empowerment along with male empowerment and not just portray women as damsels who needed rescuing.
Was this "Woke?" If you think so you are probably an idiot. Seriously, get help.
This game was meant for all people. I did not want to just create another male power fantasy. There is nothing wrong with male power fantasies. They are fantasies. People are allowed to have fantasies. I grew up reading the Conan books and I enjoyed them greatly but I wanted a bigger audience. I wanted an inclusive power fantasy that did not favor a single sex. If the word "inclusive" sounds "woke" to you I once again suggest that you may be an idiot. I have had female friends my entire life, they have always been included in what I am doing. This was normal for me, not "woke". "Woke" is a term weak men use derogatorily to hide the fact that they see inclusion of anyone other than themselves as a state of victimhood. It's frankly embarrassing. We all see your weakness for what it is, you are not fooling anyone but yourselves.
Myrfors goes on to acknowledge that the No Babe Art rule was not 100% enforced, referencing the infamous example of Earthbind:
And it's worth noting this is far from the only example of the type of art Myrfors was trying to avoid that made it into Magic over the years. The sets he worked on mostly avoid the tropes Myrfors was cautious of, if not entirely, and some of the more salacious cards were drawn by women, and masculine and feminine bodies are both depicted. Myrfors is clear that he has "no problem with scantily clad women" and just didn't want the subject matter to "flood" Magic: The Gathering. "It's crazy to me that one of the secrets to Magic's success was as obvious and simple as 'hire talented women'," he concluded. Five of the 25 artists who worked on Magic's first release of cards were women.
Myrfors' efforts early on didn't magically turn Magic into a perfectly-inclusive space. Since Myrfors departed Wizards, there have admittedly been a number of cards that do fall into the "babes" category (here's just one example, combined with its transformation, and here's another). It was notable enough that in 2018, designer Mark Rosewater announced that Wizard was moving away from both scantily clad women and men, as it “would make a subset of players feel uncomfortable to play it.” Prior to that in 2015, Rosewater shared that the gender breakdown of the game at the time was 62% male and 38% female. And women have historically reported feeling underrepresented and alienated in the community, particularly at larger competitive events and regular playgroups.
Disneyland Handcrafted, an upcoming documentary from The Imagineering Story's Leslie Iwerks on the making of Disneyland and the "trials and tribulations behind the rapid construction of the park leading up to its opening day in July 1955," will officially debut on Disney+ and Disney YouTube on January 22, 2026.
As detailed by Disney Parks Blog, this story will be told through "rare archival footage and insightful soundbites." Viewers will be able to go behind-the-scenes in a way never possible before and see the highs and lows of what it took Walt Disney and his team to build Disneyland.
Iwerks, who is the daughter and granddaughter of Disney Legend Don Iwerks and Ub Iwerks, respectively, searched through over 100 hours of raw material that captured Disneyland as it was built. She and her team produced high-resolution scans of these reels via a "revolutionary process that had never been tackled before."
"With a chance to peek behind the orange groves and experience the making of the park like never before, this documentary will take you back in time to visit the Disneyland of yesteryear and provide a look at the dedication, expertise, and focus that was required to turn a dream into reality," Disney Parks Blog wrote.
"Hand-forged with an assortment of dedicated, invested individuals constantly working around the clock, Leslie mentions that the film encapsulates the raw DNA of Disneyland, featuring the five original lands and the overall sense of overpowering happiness that went on to become the foundational blueprint for future Disney Parks around the world."
Give your desk area a good cleaning as part of your New Years resolutions. Compressed air canisters used to be the standard but nowadays electric air dusters have taken over as a more convenient and less expensive option. Amazon is currently offering the JVSCAM Cordless Rechargeable Electric Air Duster for just $19.98 after coupon code "4OIDBVTT". Normally this deal is reserved for Amazon Prime members, but this time is available for everyone.
JVSCAM Cordless Electric Air Duster for PC for $19.99
The JVSCAM cordless rechargeable electric air duster is a fairly straightforward device. An internal fan spins at up to 130,000RPM to move an appreciable amount of air. A nozzle funnels the air into a tight, high-velocity stream that's more than strong enough to kick up layers of dust that's been sitting on top of your computer components. It has three speed settings, although I would recommend keeping it at the max speed for optimal results. You also get four different sized nozzles, including a narrow funnel for tight spaces like between your keyboard's keys, and a wider nozzle for AoE damage.
The best thing about an electric duster as opposed to a compressed air canister is that it isn't disposable. It's rechargeable via the included USB-C cable, and its battery lasts more than long enough for your PC maintenance. And that's not all it's good for; I use a similar duster for other tasks, including cleaning out my coffee grinder and blowing leaves off the car.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
Finding a live TV streaming service that meets all your needs can be a challenge, as each one offers something a little different to stand out from the competition. Whether you're into live sports, keeping up with your favorite weekly TV shows, or a mix of everything, there's almost certainly a streaming service out there that fits your viewing habits. But with so many options, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
We’ve rounded up the best live TV streaming services that offer free trials in 2026, so you can test them out before committing to a subscription.
Hulu + Live TV (3-Day Free Trial)
Hulu + Live TV offers the best of multiple worlds, combining a robust live TV package with more than 95 channels and the Disney Bundle, which includes full access to Hulu, Disney+, and the all-new ESPN Unlimited service, all for one monthly price. That means you can enjoy the very best of Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, live sports, and more as part of your subscription.
On top of that, you get unlimited DVR space so you can record your favorite shows and movies and watch them whenever you want. By default, you can stream on two supported devices at once, or upgrade to unlimited screens so the whole family can watch without interruptions.
If you're looking to cut the cord with minimal interruption, DirecTV Stream is one of the best cable alternatives. Its new Genre Packs let you build a custom channel lineup based on your specific tastes and give you more control over what you pay for. If you prefer a broader selection, DirecTV Stream also offers three Signature Packages, each with an increasing number of channels to suit your needs. If you're looking for it all, the Ultimate pack includes more than 160 channels, covering live sports, news, and more.
DirecTV Stream includes unlimited DVR storage, simultaneous recording, and streaming on as many devices as you want within your home. Even better, you can watch your favorite shows up to 72 hours after they air—even if you forgot to record them—so you'll never miss a moment.
DirecTV Stream currently offers a five-day free trial, giving you a chance to try the service before committing.
YouTube TV (Trial Length Varies)
YouTube TV is the live TV companion to standard YouTube, offering over 100 channels that cover everything from major live sports to family-friendly entertainment. It’s a great option for families, as a single subscription can be shared with up to five additional users, each with their own personalized recommendations and unlimited DVR storage. You can stream on up to three devices at once, or pay a little extra to enable streaming on unlimited devices.
If you're an NFL fan, YouTube TV is a must as it’s the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. With this upgrade, you'll gain access to every NFL game throughout the season and can watch up to four games at once with multiview. The platform also offers unique features for live sports, including real-time scores and stats on your TV, a “key plays” view to quickly catch up on the biggest moments, and even fantasy sports integration to help you track your players and teams.
YouTube TV does offer a free trial, but the length varies depending on your Google account. Trial periods currently range from 2 to 21 days, so your mileage may vary.
Fubo (7-Day Free Trial)
Fubo is an excellent choice for live sports fans, offering access to over 55,000 live events each year, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA college sports, NASCAR, international soccer, golf, tennis, boxing, MMA, and more. Its base plan includes over 200 channels, with more than 35 regional sports networks, so there’s almost always a game on.
Because Fubo includes such a wide range of channels and sports coverage in its base plan, it does come with a higher price tag than many other live TV streaming services. Most plans support streaming on up to 10 devices at home, and up to three devices while on the go.
Philo may not be a household name, but it’s one of the best-kept secrets in TV streaming. Similar to Sling TV, it’s a budget-friendly live TV service that covers most of your entertainment needs at a reasonable monthly price. For under $30 a month, Philo offers more than 70 channels, including AMC, Comedy Central, MTV, Paramount Network, and more. If you’re not interested in live sports or news, there’s a good chance Philo has you covered.
In addition to live TV, a Philo subscription includes access to over 75,000 on-demand movies and shows, so there's always something to watch. You also get unlimited DVR storage, although recordings expire after 12 months.
Philo currently offers a generous 7-day free trial, so you can give the service a test run before subscribing.
Are There Ways to Watch Free Live TV Without a Subscription?
Although you won't be able to get access to the same number of channels or live events, there are actually a few different ways to watch live TV without a subscription service. There are a number of free TV streaming services out there that you can easily access online. Some options, like Sling Freestream, don't even require a login to access free channels.
Alternatively, the easiest way to gain access to live channels is via a TV antenna. You can get free local channels out of the air as long as you have the right equipment to access it. A good HDTV antenna can be a pretty cheap investment and is one of the best ways to watch at least some live sports without a subscription.
Matthew Adler has written for IGN since 2019 covering all things gaming, tech, tabletop games, and more. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
Valve may have revolutionized mobile PC gaming with the Steam Deck, but more and more handheld gaming PCs keep coming to market, giving it some stiff competition. There are even handhelds out there like the Legion Go S that use Valve's handheld operating system but with more powerful hardware. Microsoft isn't sitting on its hands, either. The company teamed up with Asus to launch the excellent ROG Xbox Ally X, which debuts a new Xbox Full Screen Experience that should be making its way to other handhelds within the next few months. (Hopefully, Microsoft also takes that time to iron out some of the kinks with the new UX.)
TL;DR – These Are the Best Handheld Gaming PCs:
Rather than dealing with the bulk of a gaming laptop, handheld gaming PCs keep far more compact dimensions, making it easier to play from just about anywhere. Even though these devices are obviously significantly smaller than a gaming PC, it doesn’t mean they’re underpowered. Many handheld gaming PCs are packing the performance prowess to cruise through AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077. If you get sick of playing on a smaller screen, a great Steam Deck dock works seamlessly with most handheld gaming PCs so you can hook up to your gaming TV.
While we’re in the midst of a handheld gaming PC revolution, we've gotten our hands on a good chunk of these highly-capable devices. Below are the current four we deem worthy of consideration right now.
1. Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
The Best Handheld Gaming PC
When Microsoft announced the Xbox Ally X back in June 2025, I didn't really know what to make of it. The company was teaming up with Asus to make an Xbox version of the excellent ROG Ally X. It turns out that the main reason for this was to create something that'd serve as a pilot run for a new version of Windows 11 that'd be a bit more controller-friendly. Now that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is here, I've seen firsthand that this partnership has mostly been successful.
The new Xbox Full Screen Experience that's at the core of the Xbox Ally X does need some polish still, but it does change how you interact with a handheld gaming PC. Most people that primarily use Xbox Game Pass and Steam will hardly ever have to poke around the desktop, beyond initiating Windows updates or installing apps like Discord. Instead, the system boots into a full-screen version of the Xbox app, where you'll be able to download and install select third-party stores like Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, along with launching the games you install from these services.
You will still have to deal with these apps to actually download and install the games. The launches open within the Full Screen Experience, so you won't have to go to the desktop, but how controller-friendly these apps are varies wildly. Steam is easy to use with a controller, for instance, but you're going to have to use the touch screen to navigate around the Epic Games Store. That's largely on the developers of these other apps to create a controller-focused UX – there's not much Microsoft or Asus could have done here.
As for performance, when I reviewed the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, I found that it was the fastest handheld that I've reviewed so far, with the console able to hit up to 44fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings and upscaling set to Quality. Even when I unplugged the device to test the battery, I found that at its 17W power setting I was still able to get 30-35fps in Cyberpunk, except for in particularly demanding areas like Dogtown. As long as you can swallow the admittedly high price of $999 – something that's plaguing this entire generation of PC handhelds – the Xbox Ally X is easily the best one out there, especially if you're not too attached to the idea of a beautiful OLED display. In that case, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is right there.
2. Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS)
The Best SteamOS Handheld Gaming PC
When the Lenovo Legion Go S first came out in February 2025, it was a hot mess. The configuration Lenovo initially released was bogged down by the weak Z2 Go processor, which didn't pair well with Windows. And because it was both running Windows 11 and had 32GB of memory, this weaker handheld was just as expensive – if not moreso – than the original Legion Go that preceded it. But Lenovo has righted the ship by launching the Go S with the Z1 Extreme and SteamOS built-in.
This system is still expensive. You're looking at $829 to get this model, but that's only a bit more than the Asus ROG Ally X, which ended up being slower, if only by a bit, in my tests. When I reviewed this new Lenovo Legion Go S, the SteamOS-powered handheld beat out the Ally X in synthetic benchmarks by as much as 9%. That's not bad, considering that handheld had the performance crown before this system came out.
The elephant in the room is the Steam Deck. Even three years after its release, it's still an incredible and popular handheld, and it's not hard to see why. It's easy to use and it's literally half the price of the Go S. But not only do you get a higher resolution display with this Legion Go S, you also get as much as double the performance. I was able to get a solid 60fps playing Baldur's Gate 3, and that's something I straight up couldn't do on the Steam Deck. Whether or not that's worth the higher price tag depends entirely on what you're looking for.
A great handheld gaming system is about more than just raw performance. It also needs to be comfortable to use, and despite the sytem being one of the largest I've used – and I've used a lot of them – it's extremely comfortable. The Lenovo Legion Go S has rounded edges that give you something to hold on to, and the textured finish makes it harder to slip out of your hands.
The Go S also has one of the most beautiful LCD displays I've seen in a while and proves that OLED isn't the only way to get a great picture in 2026. It's not quite as colorful as the Steam Deck OLED, to be fair, but it still made any game I played on it look awesome.
There are ways to get Windows running on the 7-inch display portable by booting directly from the USB-C port. Beyond that is one of the best input controls available for any portable gaming handheld. See our full comparison between the Steam Deck and ROG Ally here.
There’s also the OLED version of the Steam Deck to consider for users who prefer a larger, brighter, and more vibrant screen. While still displaying at 1200x800, the Steam Deck OLED offers a noticeable difference, providing more clarity for a better visual experience. You'll also get improved battery life, a higher refresh rate, and more storage than the 256GB offered in the tradtional LCD model.
Is it odd to classify the Steam Deck as the "budget" option? Maybe, but gaming handhelds isn't exactly a category known for being inexpensive, and the Steam Deck is by and large at least a couple hundred dollars less than the other entries on this list.
4. Lenovo Legion Go 2
Best Gaming Handheld With an OLED Screen
The Lenovo Legion Go was one of the first Windows-based handhelds to hit the market from a major manufacturer, so it was only a matter of time before it got a sequel. With the Legion Go 2, Lenovo is clearly taking its vision in a more premium direction.
Perhaps the most striking thing about the Legion Go 2 is its price. This thing starts at $1,099, which will get you the base AMD Z2 APU along with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. However, if you really want this thing to shine with its OLED display, you're going to want to pair it with the AMD Z2 Extreme and 32GB of RAM, and that configuration is going to set you back at least $1,349. That's a lot to ask for a handheld gaming PC, especially when you consider you can get a pretty solid gaming laptop for the same amount of money that will perform much better.
Not that the Legion Go 2 is a slouch, though. When I reviewed the Legion Go 2, it was between 10-20% faster than the Z1 Extreme in a similar configuration. Combine that with the gorgeous OLED display, and it provides a much better gaming experience than its predecessor. While the display has been upgraded to an OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and VRR, the resolution has been lowered from 2560x1600 to 1920x1200. In a way, this configuration makes a bit more sense, as the 1600p display in the original Legion Go was quite hard to drive with its hardware.
The Go 2 keeps the removable controllers from the original, but slightly rearranges the buttons to make them way more user-friendly. The Start and Select buttons are similar to where you would find them on any normal controller, and the handheld has dedicated buttons to bring up the desktop and enter Task View to swap between apps. Will these buttons will stay useful once the Xbox Full Screen Experience becomes available sometime next year? Unclear, but for the time being they make Windows much easier to navigate.
Honorable Mention: MSI Claw A8
MSI has been making handheld gaming PCs for a while now, and the company just put out the Claw A8, powered by the AMD Z2 Extreme. Just like the Xbox Ally X and the Legion Go 2, which are also powered by this next-gen chip, this is a performant little machine. What's especially impressive about it is the battery life, while we were playing Cyberpunk 2077, the Claw A8 lasted nearly 3 hours – making it the longest-lasting handheld yet.
However, when we reviewed the Claw A8, there were a couple things that held it back from truly contending with the top handhelds on this list. The software is a big one; despite it supporting the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, you still have to contend with MSI's software to do any kind of tweaking, and it just doesn't have the same kind of polish as Asus' software – at least not yet. The handheld is also significantly more expensive, coming in at £850 in the UK. The Claw A8 isn't available in the US yet, but that would make it about $1,145 – nearly $150 more than the already-expensive Xbox Ally X, and putting it up there with the Lenovo Legion Go 2, just without the OLED display.
Maybe once this handheld actually launches in the US, the price will come down a little bit, but until then I can't recommend it over the other options.
Upcoming Handheld Gaming PCs
Now that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is out, we're kind of in a holding pattern for a while. We'll probably see other handhelds using the Z2 Extreme trickle out over the next year or so. It's also likely that we'll see some Intel-powered devices featuring the new Panther Lake architecture.
Beyond that, we will probably see a Steam Deck 2 at some point, but Valve has repeatedly said that it's waiting for a "more significant" generational lift to launch its sequel. Given that the Steam Deck is nearing 4 years old, we could see a new device launch sometime next year at the earliest. We'll see!
Handheld Gaming PC FAQ
Should I buy a handheld gaming PC or a gaming laptop?
Depending on how you want to game and what games you want to play will determine whether you should grab a gaming laptop or handheld PC. Handhelds score higher points in longevity, battery life, optimization, portability, and thermals. But handhelds are only designed to play games up to a certain specification. Gaming laptops cram in the latest GPU, CPU, and RAM, likely sacrificing battery life, thermals, and price. However, some are absolute beasts ready to take on even the most graphically intensive games. Laptops offer more functionality when it comes to editing and other work.
The Lenovo Legion Go S is one of the best Steam Deck alternatives. This gaming handheld offers the same easy-to-use interface as the Steam Deck, along with speedy performance, and a stunning design. It does run into some of the same problems as the Steam Deck, notably around installing games that aren't on Steam – but you can get around that with some tinkering.
ESPN Unlimited officially arrived on the streaming scene last year. The new service, which starts at $29.99/month on its own, hosts ESPN originals with the addition of all of ESPN's linear networks. As the parent company of ESPN, Disney naturally celebrated the launch with a new Disney+ bundle, and of course it brought its good friend (and future victim) Hulu along for the ride.
While the bundle of all three services will eventually start at $35.99/month, the company also announced a special offer that pretty much gets you Disney+ and Hulu for free. The offer is live until January 5, 2026, meaning today is your last chance to save on one of the best streaming bundles available.
Try Out ESPN Unlimited, Get Free Disney+ and Hulu for 12 Months
While the regular ad-supported bundle will be priced at $35.99, Disney+'s exclusive offer for new subscribers in the U.S. drops that price to $29.99 for your first 12 months. So, for a closer price to the pre-existing ESPN+ bundle, you get access to all of the networks now included in ESPN Unlimited.
Another way to look at the offer is that you essentially get Disney+ and Hulu for “free,” as a standalone ESPN Unlimited subscription starts at $29.99/month, the same price as the bundled deal.
An ad-free premium plan is also available at a whopping $44.99/month. A similar discount is applied for new subscribers, who can get their first 12 months at $38.99/month. Note that ESPN Unlimited includes linear networks that inevitably have commercials, so the "ads question" only applies to Hulu and Disney+. Just keep in mind that both offers will end tonight at midnight.
What Is ESPN Unlimited?
ESPN Unlimited is a new and particularly comprehensive sports streaming subscription from ESPN. For context, the more limited plan previously known as ESPN+ has become ESPN Select and continues to cost $11.99/month.
The main draw of the new service is access to ESPN's linear networks that host the NFL, CFB, NBA and WNBA, as well as SportsCenter, College GameDay, First Take, and more flagship coverage from the media giant. These streams are in addition to what you’d previously find on ESPN+, namely ESPN originals like the 30 for 30 library. You can see a full comparison of the ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited offerings here.
The ESPN streaming service arrived amidst big shifts in the licensing space for sports. UFC, which was previously available as PPV events on ESPN+, will be moving away from the PPV format and onto Paramount+ after a multi-billion dollar deal.
For whatever reason, it’s typically been a pain just trying to watch a full season of any league on a single service. Here’s to hoping these big licensing moves change that.
Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who, when she isn't following streaming news, spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
For this week only, Best Buy just dropped the price on the powerful iBuypower Y40 Pro gaming PC, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor and RTX 5080 graphics card, to just $2,109.99 shipped. Although this system was a bit cheaper during Black Friday, it's currently the lowest price I can find for a prebuilt RTX 5080 gaming PC.
iBuypower Y40 Pro RTX 5080 Gaming PC for $2,110
The iBuypower Y40 Pro is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor, GeForce RTX 5080 16GB graphics card, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD. The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X CPU has a max turbo frequency of 5.6GHz with 12 cores, 24 threads, and a 64MB L2 cache. In terms of gaming performance, this CPU is comparable to the Intel Core i7-14700K according to Passmark benchmarks. With a high clock speed and a decent number of cores, this is a great CPU for both gaming and productivity and is a good complement to the RTX 5080 GPU.
The GeForce RTX 5080 GPU will run any game in 4K
Performance-wise, the RTX 5080 is no slouch. It's one of the fastest cards on the market, bested only by the $2,000 RTX 5090 and the discontinued $1,600 RTX 4090. This is a phenomenal card for playing the latest, most demanding games in 4K resolution at high settings and ray tracing enabled. The RTX 5080 supports DLSS 4 with multi-frame generation, which means you can push even more frames out of games that support the technology with minimal visual compromise. Recent games that support it include Doom: The Dark Ages, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Borderlands 4, Stellar Blade, and Battlefield 6. Check out our Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 FE review for our hands-on impressions.
Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.
After cutting cable, one of the first things you'll likely be searching for is a way to watch live sports. For NBA fans, there are plenty of options to catch games without a traditional cable plan, though you may need to get creative. NBA streaming rights are always changing hands, but currently, there are three main channels you'll need to access: ABC, ESPN, and NBC. However, starting last year and through the 2035-36 season, the landscape will change once again, as NBC and Prime Video will exclusively air select games.
In the meantime, we've rounded up the best streaming services for you below to ensure you don't miss a single NBA game this season and the next.
DirecTV Stream
Best overall for NBA games
As of right now, DirecTV Stream is the most comprehensive option for NBA fans who want to cut the cord. While each of their signature packages features the trio of channels needed to watch all major NBA games (ABC, ESPN, and NBC), the best value is the DirecTV Choice package as it also includes access to NBA TV. With this package, you'll have access to over 125 channels including every major nationwide game and a great selection of regional sporting events based on your location.
If you're a diehard sports fan, DirecTV now offers standalone Genre Packs, including the MySports pack, which is priced at $69.99 per month—cheaper than each of the standard bundles. This pack includes over 20 sports-focused channels, such as ESPN, TNT, FS1, NBA TV, and NFL Network, plus an ESPN Unlimited subscription for even more sports content.
ESPN Unlimited
Best for ESPN and ABC Games
Earlier this year, ESPN launched a new service called ESPN Unlimited. The main difference between this service and its predecessor, ESPN+, is that it actually grants you access to all of the ESPN channels without the need for a live TV service. Since it is owned by Disney, that means you'll also get access to any of the games that play on ABC as well. That means you'll get access to all of the games except the ones on NBC.
You can currently get a standalone subscription to ESPN Unlimited for $29.99 or bundle it with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price (for a limited time). With the most recent Disney+ price hike now in effect, this is the only bundle that didn't get a price increase for 2025. You can also choose to add NFL+ premium to that bundle, making this one of the best new services for NFL games as well.
Hulu + Live TV
Best Streaming Bundle With NBA Games
Hulu + Live TV is a great option for sports fans who also want to indulge in great TV series and movies as it features over 95 channels plus the Disney Bundle as part of its monthly subscription price. It checks all the boxes for NBA fans with ABC and ESPN included (they are Disney-owned, of course), plus the remaining games on NBC.
In addition to having access to everything in the Disney+ and Hulu libraries, Hulu + Live TV also grants you access to ESPN Unlimited which unlocks additional exclusive sporting events (like UFC and college sports), original programming, and more. There is also a three-day free trial of Hulu + Live TV available for new subscribers if you want to test out the service at no cost.
Sling TV
Best Value
If being able to catch every major NBA game for the lowest possible price is your only priority, then Sling TV is your answer. Sling TV's Orange plan will get you access to most nationally televised NBA games as it features ESPN and TNT as part of its 35-channel lineup. However, the primary reason Sling TV is a less expensive option is that it excludes local channels, such as ABC. Instead, Sling recommends you pair your subscription with a TV antenna (sold separately) to receive your local channels.
If you'd rather not worry about an external antenna, Sling TV's Blue plan does include local channels like ABC, NBC, and FOX in select markets. You'll need to enter your zip code on Sling's website to verify which (if any) local channels are available to you with this plan. If you do happen get ABC in your area, you can bundle Sling TV's Orange and Blue plans together for $60.99 per month to enjoy every NBA game. There's also the company's free service, Sling Freestream, which lets you watch some older games at no cost.
NBA League Pass
Best For Out of Market Games
NBA League Pass is a fantastic option for NBA fans...of out of market teams. The NBA's flagship service features live coverage of every game (excluding nationally broadcast and your local market games) through the NBA app or NBA.com. Nationally broadcast games (like those on ABC, ESPN, or TNT) are available to stream on-demand three hours after they air, while locally televised games are available three days later.
Additionally, NBA League Pass features condensed recaps of every game, access to NBA TV's 24/7 live stream, full game archives dating back to the 2012-13 NBA season, and much more. NBA League Pass is available as a monthly subscription or you can choose to prepay for the entire season.
NBA Streaming FAQs
Can You Watch Live NBA Games For Free?
Sort of. If you have a TV antenna installed, you can watch games airing on ABC over the air. All other NBA games require either a cable subscription or a mix of select streaming services.
Which NBA Streaming Services Have Free Trials?
Currently, you can score a five-day free trial of DirecTV Stream and a three-day free trial of Hulu + Live TV if you want to catch some upcoming NBA games. As of this writing, Sling TV and ESPN Unlimited don't offer free trials, but both have limited time offers to save on monthly subscriptions. NBA League Pass doesn't have a direct free trial, but if you add it through an existing Prime Video subscription, you'll get seven days free.
Matthew Adler is a Commerce, Features, Guides, News, Previews, and Reviews writer for IGN. You can follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @MatthewAdler and watch him stream on Twitch.
NACON has just released an official gameplay trailer for its upcoming Styx game, Styx: Blades of Greed. In this trailer, we get to see 9 minutes of gameplay footage. So, if you’ve been looking forward to this new Styx game, you should definitely watch this new trailer. In Styx: Blades of Greed, you will play … Continue reading Styx: Blades of Greed Just Got an Official Gameplay Trailer→
Bandai Namco has released a new trailer, showcasing 8 minutes of brand new gameplay footage from CODE VEIN 2. In this gameplay trailer, we get a glimpse at the game’s combat system, as well as its visuals and environments. So, if you are a fan of this franchise, you should definitely watch it. CODE VEIN … Continue reading Here are 8 minutes of new gameplay from CODE VEIN 2→
Walt Disney World has revealed a wonderful new look at what to expect from the Most Magical Place on Earth in 2026, and it includes exciting updates to Frozen Ever After, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Soarin', and more, The Magic of Disney Animation, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, the return of Cool Kids' Summer, and a ton of other experiences to look out for.
There is a lot planned for Walt Disney World in the coming months, so we thought, with the help of Disney Parks Blog, that we'd create a Walt Disney World 2026 Guide that will help you plan your trip or learn what's new and in the works. And yes, we will be updating this guide throughout the year as new details are revealed!
The 2026 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will return from January 16 through February 23, bringing with it "artisanal dishes, beautiful artwork, and sing-your-heart-out Broadway showtunes" from Disney on Broadway shows and stars." There will also be Figment's Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt, a Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game Collection Quest, and much more.
Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours events are set to light up the night once more in 2026, giving guests a chance to experience Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT with lower wait times, awesome character meet-and-greets, free snacks, and much more.
These are separately tickets events and usually run from 9:30pm or 10pm to 12:30am or 1am. However, guests can enter as early as 7pm, allowing them to enjoy the parks before the official event kicks off.
Spring 2026
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Guests visiting EPCOT from March 4 through June 1 will be able to enjoy the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which will let them "stroll past whimsical topiaries and lush gardens, savor mouthwatering bites at Outdoor Kitchens, and jam to live tunes during the Garden Rocks Concert Series."
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Is Re-Opening With 'New Magic'
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will welcome guests back with some "new magic" in spring for the first time since January 2025, including a new area that will be an underground section with natural caverns full of phosphorescent pools, stalagmites, stalactites, and the colors of the rainbow all around you. Don't get too comfy, however, as a crack of thunder will turn things much more dangerous and bask the cave in an "eerie red" glow.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Returns With Improved Ride Vehicles, Blasters, and a New Robot Named Buddy
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin closed on August 4 of 2025 and will reopen in 2026 with some big changes. There will be a new ride vehicle inspired by Buzz, and the blasters will now be able to come off the vehicle for an even more enjoyable experience. The targets are also being improved and will flash the color of the blaster that shot them (red or green!), and scores will be displayed on a new digital screen. Oh, and did we mention you'll be able to earn one million points? Because you will!
Lastly, Imagineering and Pixar have created a new charming robot named Buddy that will welcome guests into the attraction, give them tips, and even help them to play the game the best way.
Summer 2026
Cool Kids' Summer Is BACK
We loved Cool Kids' Summer when it first debuted in 2025, and it's officially returning in 2026 from May 26 through September 8. Cool Kids' Summer is an initiative by Walt Disney World to encourage guests to visit during the warmest months of the year with great deals, lots of fantastic experiences inside and away from the heat, and so much more. To get an idea of what to expect, keep reading on below!
Summer Deals Include 'Some of the Best Ticket Prices of the Year'
Some of the biggest deals of the year at Walt Disney World happen during the summer, and you can begin booking them on January 6. One of the deals allows guests to add two free room nights and theme park days when they purchase a select 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package. This specific deal is good for most nights between May 26 and September 15, but it has to be booked between January 6 and February 15.
Guests can also save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotels from May 1 through October 4, and Florida Residents (35%) and Annual Passholders (40%) can also take advantage of great offers at Disney Resort hotels.
These deals, especially when combined with the offer to get a free dining plan for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a package that includes a dining plan for guests age 10 and up and a room at a Disney Resort hotel, make this time one of the most affordable times to visit Walt Disney World.
Early Theme Park Entry, Character Appearances, and More at Disney Resorts Collection Hotels
Those who choose to stay at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel will be able to enter the parks 30 minutes before everyone else, but the fun doesn't stop there. For summertime only, guests of Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside will have scheduled visits from fan-favorite Disney pals.
Disney Water Park Admission Summer Vacation Deals
One of the more exciting offers during the summer is that guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel between May 26 and September 7 can enjoy free admission to one of the Walt Disney World water parks (Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach) on their check-in day! It's also exciting to note that both the water parks will be open, so you can choose where you want to go!
Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Speaking of Typhoon Lagoon, Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon will be back this summer as a separately tickets event that lets guests "splash the night away with a DJ dance party, meet up with fun Disney pals, enjoy your favorite watery attractions, and indulge in complimentary ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages – all after the sun goes down and the water park closes."
Bluey and Bingo Finally Arrive at Walt Disney World at Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station
Bluey will finally have a presence at Walt Disney World as guests will be able to play and dance with Bluey and Bingo over at Animal Kingdom's Conservation Station. There will be special games directly from Bluey episodes (Keepy Uppy?!), the chance to grab a photo with the pair, and also discover animals native to Bluey's home country of Australia.
Party With Your Toy Story Pals at Magic Kingdom's Diamond Horseshoe
At Magic Kingdom's Diamond Horseshoe, Jessie, Woody, and other Toy Story friends will be hanging out at Jessie's Roundup, where guests can "craft, dance, and yodel [their] hearts out in this western revue."
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! is a new stage production headed to Hollywood Studios that will let guests sing and dance with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Mickey and Minnie have invited Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto, but they haven't arrived yet, and we'll all need to find them to get the fun started!
The Magic of Disney Animation will be a place where 'kids and kids at heart can laugh, draw, dream, and explore animated new experiences." This will include "silly" takes on Disney Animation's headquarters and its departments, "playful and interactive moments" like portraits coming to life as they did in "Once Upon a Studio," a short film filled with inspiration, a chance to draw "your very own character sketch," character meet-and-greets, and more.
Furthermore, the 'Drawn to Wonderland' playground will welcome kids into an "oversized flower garden with musical instruments, a Mad Tea Party playset, and a Tulgey Wood exploration area. To make it even more special, these areas are all inspired by Alice in Wonderland and its concept art by Disney Legend Mary Blair.
There will also be an area called 'Off the Page!,' which is a collaboration between Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering, and it will be a place to meet beloved Disney characters across six departments from the animation studio, including Story, Layout, Hand-Drawn Animation, Computer Animation, Lighting, and Effects.
Each space will offer photo opportunities, and one example given was Mulan in the story department. What's more is she will be posing in front of an oversized storyboard panel. Rapunzel, on the other hand, will be in the Layout department in a setting inspired by the multiplane camera. So, not only will guests be able to have incredible Disney moments with characters, but also learn and be inspired about animation and how our favorite stories are brought to life.
Oh, and we have to mention this area used to be the home of Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, which was responsible for such films as Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Will Debut in Summer 2026
Hollywood Studios' Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is set to close on March 1 and make way for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets. In this new ride, J.P. Grosse purchases G-Force Records and asks his nephew, Scooter, to run the place. This will bring Electric Mayhem to the forefront as they will replace Aerosmith as the headliner of this attraction.
The courtyard will also undergo a transformation, as the massive red guitar will now have a "psychedelic wrap" and the piano motif at the bottom will feature a gold key in honor of Dr. Teeth. Speaking of Scooter, he will become an Audio-Animatronic alongside some penguin audio engineers!
The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to being Star Wars back to the movies for the first time since 2019 on May 22, but that's not all out favorite pair from that galaxy far, far away will be up to on that day.
There will be a new mission in Hollywood Studios' Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (and at Disneyland!) where Hondo Ohnaka "catches wind of a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase across the galaxy. Guests will team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty in a dynamic, galaxy-spanning adventure."
This new choose-your-own-adventure-style will let Engineers take care of Grogu, and it may take guests to Coruscant, Tatooine, Bespin, and/or Endor. To learn more, we had the chance to speak with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama, and he shared a bit more about what we can expect.
"Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu," Kalama said. "So, we think it's going to be a ton of fun. There may be times when Mando has to deboard the Razor Crest and Grogu, left to his own devices, might get a little happy on the control panel. So, we love the idea of there being these fun little vignettes and moments where you're sort of on the comm with Grogu."
As for the choose-your-own-adventure side of it, Kalama tells us there will be "sort of a critical moment in your adventure where you are strapped for time and have to make a lightning quick decision about which of our particular bounties we want to pursue. And that's going to be the sort of inciting incident that allows us to decide which are the different destinations we go to."
Soarin' Across America and a Celebration of the United States' 250th Anniversary
In celebration of the United States' 250th anniversary, EPCOT and Disneyland's Soarin' will transform into Soarin' Across America. This new "bi-coastal offering will showcase the United States - from sea to shining sea - highlighting some of the country's natural beauty and iconic cityscapes."
This exciting update was introduced in a video that once again sees Patrick Warburton acting as our chief flight attendant, and we also learned more from the team at the time.
“Our goal was to offer guests a sampling of the diversity of America’s beauty and urban wonders with the hope it would paint an emotional portrait for the nation’s Semi-quincentennial celebration,” Tom Fitzgerald, Portfolio Executive Creative Director and Chief Storytelling Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, said.
“Contrasting shots of different American locales — scenic wonders, amazing cities, and the beauty of the coasts. The use of the physical landscape of the United States as a unifying element,” Bernice Howes, Executive Creative Media Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, added. “Then, using continuous camera movement to smoothly transition between these scenes, linking them together to show the geographical ‘whole’ of the nation, from natural locations to large cities to national monuments that represent America the beautiful.”
Soarin' Across America is part of a new initiative called "Disney Celebrates America," which runs through July 4 and will be filled with celebrations, shows, deals and offers for U.S. Military service members, veterans, and their families, and much more.
Banana Ball Arrives at ESPN Wide World of Sports For the First Time
Banana Ball is headed to ESPN Wide World of Sports for the first time on May 29 and 30, and "whether you’re team Loco Beach Coconuts or team Party Animals, the trick plays, diving catches, and on-the-field shenanigans are sure to deliver a home run of fun."
Fall 2026
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will return this fall and, while dates and details will be released at a later date, Disney encourages guests to "Come Eat to the Beat (IYKYK) and explore all that EPCOT has to offer while soaking in the fall vibes … and munching on some delicious bites."
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The 'gourd times" will roll this fall when Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party once again takes residence at Magic Kingdom.
"Get ready to boo-gie with fan-favorite eerie entertainment, enjoy spellbinding sips and bites, and well-loved mysterious character greetings to celebrate the spooky season with this separately ticketed event on select nights," Disney wrote.
Winter 2026
Disney Jollywood Nights
While no dates have been announced, Disney is wants guests to "get ready to celebrate the season in style with themed entertainment, festive food and beverage offerings, character greetings galore, and of course, all things glitz and glamour at Disney Jollywood Nights."
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party will end the year in a festive style, and will once again be "packed with seasonal entertainment, delicious food, and cozy merchandise that will make you fall in love with the holiday season all over again."
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Lastly, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be in full swing at the end of the year with Holiday Storytellers, delicious comfort foods at Holiday Kitchens, the Candlelight Processional, and much more.
The Fun Is Just Beginning at Walt Disney World
This is only the tip of the iceberg of things planned for Walt Disney World, and we will continue to update this guide as more details are revealed. We don't know everything going on behind the curtain, but we do know some of the exciting projects in the works, including a Villains Land, the Cars-themed land called Piston Peak National Park, the Monsters-Inc.-themed land, the Tropical Americas land with Encanto and Indiana Jones attractions, the update to Carousel of Progress that will add a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronic, and so much more.
Disneyland has revealed an exciting look at what it has planned for 2026, including the ongoing celebration of the resort's 70th anniversary, new experiences for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Soarin', the long-awaited arrival of Bluey, and some great events and festivals to plan ahead for.
With the help of Disney Parks Blog, this Disneyland in 2026 Guide will be a place to see all the fun headed to Disneyland this year. It's still early, so we will be updating this as more details are revealed, but this should give you a good idea of what to expect at the Happiest Place on Earth!
Disneyland will continue celebrating its 70th anniversary through August 9, meaning there's still time to experience all the fun Disney planned for this big milestone.
The Mandalorian and Grogu Join Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to bring Star Wars back to the movies for the first time since 2019 on May 22, but that's not all out favorite pair from that galaxy far, far away will be up to on that day.
There will be a new mission in Disneyland's Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (and at Walt Disney World!) where Hondo Ohnaka "catches wind of a deal on Tatooine between ex-Imperial officers and pirates, setting the stage for a high-stakes chase across the galaxy. Guests will team up with Mando and Grogu to track them down and claim a bounty in a dynamic, galaxy-spanning adventure."
This new choose-your-own-adventure-style will let Engineers take care of Grogu, and it may take guests to Coruscant, Tatooine, Bespin, and/or Endor. To learn more, we had the chance to speak with Walt Disney Imagineering's Asa Kalama, and he shared a bit more about what we can expect.
"Throughout the mission, we're going to be giving the engineers the opportunity to actually get to communicate with Grogu," Kalama said. "So, we think it's going to be a ton of fun. There may be times when Mando has to deboard the Razor Crest and Grogu, left to his own devices, might get a little happy on the control panel. So, we love the idea of there being these fun little vignettes and moments where you're sort of on the comm with Grogu."
As for the choose-your-own-adventure side of it, Kalama tells us there will be "sort of a critical moment in your adventure where you are strapped for time and have to make a lightning quick decision about which of our particular bounties we want to pursue. And that's going to be the sort of inciting incident that allows us to decide which are the different destinations we go to."
Soarin' Across America and a Celebration of the United States' 250th Anniversary
This exciting update was introduced in a video that once again sees Patrick Warburton acting as our chief flight attendant, and we also learned more from the team at the time.
“Our goal was to offer guests a sampling of the diversity of America’s beauty and urban wonders with the hope it would paint an emotional portrait for the nation’s Semi-quincentennial celebration,” Tom Fitzgerald, Portfolio Executive Creative Director and Chief Storytelling Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, said.
“Contrasting shots of different American locales — scenic wonders, amazing cities, and the beauty of the coasts. The use of the physical landscape of the United States as a unifying element,” Bernice Howes, Executive Creative Media Producer for Walt Disney Imagineering, added. “Then, using continuous camera movement to smoothly transition between these scenes, linking them together to show the geographical ‘whole’ of the nation, from natural locations to large cities to national monuments that represent America the beautiful.”
Soarin' Across America is part of a new initiative called "Disney Celebrates America," which runs through July 4 and will be filled with celebrations, shows, deals and offers for U.S. Military service members, veterans, and their families, and much more.
Bluey Debuts at Disneyland on March 22
Bluey will make her big debut at Disneyland on March 22 with 'Bluey's Best Day Ever!' at the Fantasyland Theatre. This immersive celebration will turn the theatre into the grounds of Bluey's school, and Bluey and Bingo will appear live on stage to help keep the party going.
There will be live musical show moments, games like Keepy Uppy, a life-sized Gnome Village and Fairy Garden, and the chance to step into the fair at Bluey's school with the Grannies, Chattermax, Unicorse, and enjoy select themed "fave foods" at Troubadour Tavern.
Disneyland Deals Will Help You Save Money on Your Vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth
Disneyland can be expensive, but there are some great deals throughout the year that can make your trip to the Happiest Place on Earth much more affordable.
One of these is the Kids' Summer Ticket Offer, which will be available to purchase beginning January 21, for visits between May 22 through September 7. For this one, Kids agest 3 through 9 will be able to visit Disneyland Resort for as low as $50/child with 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day Park Hopper ticket options.
For eligible California Residents, 3-Day Park Hopper tickets can run as low as $83/day/person for a total cost of $249 or a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass for as low as $117/person/day for a total cost of $351. This deal is available through May 21.
Lastly, guests can save up to 25% on stays of three or more nights through May 21 at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. In the summer, guests can save up to 25% on stays of four or more nights from May 22 through September 7 at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. Reservations for these summer deals begin on January 21.
2026 Festivals and Limited-Time Celebrations
Disneyland has some truly wonderful festivals and celebrations, and they take place on most days of the year, which means there will usually be something new and special to experience alongside your normal adventures at the parks. To plan and learn more, you can read all about what's headed our way in the future below, right from Disney;
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park (January 23-February 22): To ring in the Year of the Horse, Horace Horsecollar will make appearances during this joyous festival that honors Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean traditions. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse return in their Korean-inspired outfits, and new this year, several Disney characters will debut all-new outfits with representations of Vietnamese and Chinese attire. Guests may also meet a character from the Pixar Animation Studios film Turning Red.
Celebrate Gospel (February 20-21 and February 27-28): New for 2026, this uplifting annual concert will move to Downtown Disney District for two weekends full of performances by community choirs in Southern California and featuring headlining talent Hezekiah Walker (February 21) and Yolanda Adams (February 28).
Anaheim Ducks Day (February 22): This fan and park-goer favorite returns for one day to California Adventure, featuring appearances by select Anaheim Ducks players and Wild Wing, hockey-themed entertainment and activities, photo opportunities, and more.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (March 6-April 27): Celebrating the epicurean bounty of the Golden State, curious connoisseurs of cuisine can expect limited-time food offerings, beverage seminars, culinary demos, and family-friendly entertainment.
Disney On the Yard – Yardfest: Powered by Celebrate Soulfully (June 19): This community event returns to Downtown Disney District for its second year. During the day, join a celebration of the spirit and traditions that may be found at historically Black colleges and universities, along with drum majors and Drum Major Mickey Mouse accompanied by a drumline.
D23 Day at Disneyland Resort (August 13) and Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party (August 13-16): The countdown to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event begins with D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, a one-day event where all guests visiting Disneyland Resort can discover magical surprises, themed moments, and fan-favorite experiences that celebrate the worlds of Disney. Plus, Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party returns for a one-day special event tailored to families with young children at Disney California Adventure park featuring live entertainment, Disney Jr. characters and activities, and fun photo opportunities, before extending the festivities into a three-day event at Downtown Disney District.
Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort (August 21-October 31): Festive frights and pumpkin delights return for guests of all ages to enjoy, including seasonal attractions, family-friendly entertainment, and autumnal accoutrements throughout the resort.
Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park (August 21-November 2): The annual celebration of the everlasting bonds of family and the spirit of Día De Los Muertos returns, inspired by the Academy Award-winning Pixar Animation Studios film Coco.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort (Begins November 18): Families can celebrate diverse and cherished holiday traditions during this whimsical wintry season, featuring enchanting décor, jolly entertainment, and festive foods. This season of celebrations also includes Disney Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure park.
Disneyland After Dark 2026 and Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party 2026
Disneyland After Dark events will be in full swing in 2026, and they include both returning and new events to enjoy. These events are separately ticketed and themed, and they usually come complete with shorter wait times, special character meet-and-greets and food and drink offerings, and much more.
Each event takes place from 9pm to 1am, but guests can enter Disneyland as early as 6pm to get the party started early. As for what events Disneyland has planned, they are as follows;
Sweethearts' Nite (Select Nights Between January 22 and February 17): Come celebrate your valentine, spouse, family members, or bestie in a night filled with such experiences as the 'Celebrate Love Cavalcade,' "Once Upon a Dream - A Musical Journey through the Disney Songbook," Disney Duets karaoke, a Valentine's Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, and much more. See full dates and details here.
70 Years of Favorites (March 3 and March 5): This brand-new theme will take guests on a "sentimental journey commemorating seven decades of unforgettable moments at the beloved theme park." This will include swing dancing at Royal Theatre in Fantasyland, the Videopolis Dance Party at Tomorrowland Terrace, line dancing at The Golden Horseshoe, and even characters from "days gone by," like "Long Lost Friends" from Disney Afternoon, "Mother" and "Father" from Carousel of Progress, Merlin, Flik and Atta, and the Fantasmic! Monkeys. See full dates and details here.
Disney Channel Nite (April 12, April 14, and April 16): Disney Channel Nite returns in 2026 with "with an engaging blend of entertainment, characters, and music celebrating beloved eras of the iconic TV channel." On-sale dates and additional details will be released in the future.
Star Wars Nite (April 28, April 30, May 4, May 6): Star Wars Nite will happen again a few times in 2026, inviting guests to "Navigate to a distant galaxy with friends, family, and fellow fans to enjoy a thrilling evening with impressive character gatherings, illustrious photo ops, and more." On sale dates and additional details will be released in the futre.
Pride Nite (June 16 and June 18): This celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community kicks off on June 16 and June 18, "bringing allies and community together for a festive evening featuring rainbow projections, lively décor, dazzling entertainment, and more.
Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party 2026 (Select Dates From August 18 to October 31): Disney California Adventure Park will once again host the Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party from August 18 through October 31. This event encourages guests to wear their favorite costume, as the "park transforms into a family-friendly, frightfully fun after-hours event filled with tricks and treats! Whether you’re a poised princess, galactic defender or fearless hero, there’s something incredible for all. See full dates and details here.
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