New information circulating online suggests that the release date for Bungie’s next big shooter, Marathon, may have leaked through the Xbox Store. Although there has been talk for months about the game arriving in March 2026, the exact day had not been officially confirmed. Now a Reddit post shows a listing on the Xbox Store with a specific March 5, 2026 date attached to the game, reigniting excitement among fans.
What the Leak Shows
A user browsing the Xbox Store found what appears to be a promotional video or listing with a March 5 release date attached to Marathon. This kind of leak happens when storefront pages are updated before an official announcement. Players on social feeds quickly shared screenshots, sparking discussion about what this date could mean for the game’s launch timeline. This discovery aligns with earlier reports placing the launch in March 2026, but gives a more precise day that fans had been waiting for.
While the clip has since been removed or pulled from the Xbox Store page, many players saw enough to spread the date around before it disappeared. If accurate, the March 5 date gives a target for the community to look forward to, and may also hint at when official announcements from Bungie could be coming soon.
What Marathon Is
Marathon is an upcoming extraction focused first person shooter developed by Bungie, the studio behind Destiny. In this game, teams of players take on hazardous environments as “Runners,” scavenging loot, fighting hostile forces, and trying to extract safely before rival teams beat them to it. It blends PvP action with survival themes and loot based progression, setting it apart from more traditional team shooters. Marathon’s development has included closed alpha tests and community previews as Bungie fine tunes the combat and world systems.
Why the Leak Matters
Until now, Bungie had only confirmed that Marathon was targeting a March 2026 release without giving a specific day. That left a lot of speculation in the community about whether it would be early, mid, or late month. A March 5 date places the launch right at the start of the month, giving players a clear timeline for anticipation and possible open preview weekends before release.
This kind of early leak can sometimes speed up official announcements, especially if fans begin planning around the date and it starts to trend online. Bungie may now feel more pressure to confirm the date formally so players know exactly when they can jump in.
Early Community Reactions
Players on social platforms have mixed reactions to the leak. Many are thrilled, seeing a concrete date finally appear after months of waiting and vague timing. Some fans noted that this places Marathon’s release just a few weeks after the open preview weekend some community members expect, creating a tight but exciting build up to launch.
Others are cautiously optimistic, reminding people that leaks are not official until Bungie confirms them. There’s also debate about how much narrative the game will feature, with some players hoping for more storytelling around the extraction mechanics, while others focus on the competitive PvP side of the experience.
What to Expect Next
If the March 5 date is real, players can likely expect an official announcement from Bungie any day now. This could include details on pre order bonuses, launch editions, and specifics about cross play, platforms, and potential early access or open preview weekends. Launch timing can also dictate when content seasons begin, what post launch support looks like, and how the developer plans to roll out new maps and features throughout 2026.
FAQs
Has Bungie officially confirmed the March 5 date?
No, Bungie has not formally confirmed the exact release day yet, only that Marathon is slated for March 2026.
What platforms will Marathon be on?
Marathon is expected to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
What kind of game is Marathon?
It’s a first person shooter focused on extraction gameplay where teams scavenge, fight, and try to escape with loot before rivals do.
Will there be an open preview or beta before launch?
Players in the community believe an open preview weekend could happen shortly before the launch if the March 5 date is accurate.
Can the leaked date still change?
Yes, leaks are unofficial and subject to change until the developer confirms them.
Why was the Xbox Store listing removed?
Often leaks get pulled quickly when a store page is updated prematurely by mistake.
Conclusion
Fans may have just uncovered Marathon’s exact release date through an Xbox Store listing that pointed to March 5, 2026. While it has not been confirmed by Bungie yet, the leak gives players a concrete timeline to anticipate as the community waits for an official announcement. With Marathon’s blend of extraction mechanics, PvP action, and loot progression, the game looks set to make a big splash when it arrives early next year.
Keep an eye out for more news from Bungie. The March 5 date could be just around the corner from becoming official, and players will want to know when they can dive into the world of runners, loot, and high risk plays.