World of Warcraft patch 12.1 slated for August amid guild hall preview and mode cut

Blizzard has uploaded a Release Candidate build of Patch 12.1 to the World of Warcraft PTR on 23 July 2026, indicating an expected live launch around 12 August 2026. The update is expected to usher in Season 2 a week later, on 19 August, and will likely continue the franchise’s eight‑week patch rhythm.

On the same test realm, players have spotted early construction of what appear to be guild halls, a feature long requested by the community. Principal Designer and Housing Lead Jesse Kurlan hinted that dedicated guild‑hall buildings could arrive soon, allowing guilds to showcase their achievements in exclusive structures.

Additionally, Blizzard announced the permanent removal of the "Decor Duel" mode, which suffered from numerous bugs and design flaws that rendered it largely unplayable. The mode will not return in future patches.