Eleven years after its release, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt continues to be talked about. While CD Projekt Red is actively working on The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2, recent discussions around a financial report suggested that new content would arrive in 2026. Since then, speculation has multiplied. The latest rumor concerns the framework of this extension. Contrary to some expectations, this would not be unchartered territory comparable to Blood and Wine.
A likely return to Velen rather than a new region
Polish YouTuber UV o grach, a former journalist specializing in video games, says that the 2026 DLC would not offer a new zone. According to him, theories suggesting an entirely new region would be “too distant”.
This statement goes against popular hypotheses which imagined a journey to Zerrikania, a mysterious kingdom located in the east of the continent. The idea of a completely new setting had attracted part of the community, in particular because of the previous Blood and Wine, which introduced Toussaint. According to this new information, the content would rather take place in Velen, the central region of the base game.
Velen, ideal terrain to expand the map
Velen, formerly the province of Temeria in the Northern Kingdoms, has become a war-torn territory, often nicknamed No Man’s Land. Its swamps, abandoned villages and devastated lands constitute one of the most striking settings of The Witcher 3. A large part of the main adventure takes place there after White Orchard. The area already offers a vast map, punctuated by relatively empty spaces that could accommodate new locations and quests.
Rumors suggest a reuse of existing assets and a filling of unexploited areas. In the context of a game released in 2015, this approach seems coherent, especially since CD Projekt Red is currently mobilizing its main resources on The Witcher 4.
An ambitious DLC despite the absence of a new map?
Previous rumors suggested that this expansion would be substantial, potentially comparable to Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine. If this is confirmed, the absence of a new region would not necessarily mean reduced content.
The idea of a DLC serving as a narrative bridge to The Witcher 4 is also circulating. Nilfgaard, a central part of Ciri’s past, could play an important role if the story aims to establish a transition to the next installment. At this point, there is no official information confirming whether Geralt will once again be the main character or whether Ciri will become playable.
CD Projekt Red facing a strategic bet
Returning to a title more than a decade old remains unusual in the industry. Creating a complete new region would represent a considerable investment, while the studio is developing several major projects simultaneously.
Reusing the existing map from The Witcher 3 would optimize development while providing additional content for fans. For now, CD Projekt Red has not provided any formal announcement detailing this 2026 DLC. Speculation continues, but a return to Velen seems the most credible option today.