Riders Republic Free Weekend: Dates, Platforms, Discounts and Progress Carryover
Riders Republic will be free to try from October 22 to October 26, 2026, as Ubisoft celebrates the game’s fifth anniversary. The event gives players an opportunity to explore its open world, try extreme sports, and decide whether the game is worth buying before the promotional discounts expire.
Ubisoft has confirmed discounts of up to 90% on its own store and up to 80% on PlayStation and Xbox. Players who purchase the game after the free weekend can also carry over their progress, so the time spent exploring, racing, and unlocking career content does not have to go to waste.
There are a few important details to understand before starting, particularly the different sale deadlines, platform availability, and the distinction between progress carryover and cross-platform progression.
Riders Republic Free Weekend Dates
The free weekend runs from October 22 through October 26, 2026.
Ubisoft announced the promotion as part of the game’s fifth-anniversary celebrations, alongside seasonal activities, special rewards, an in-game concert, and discounts on the full game.
The announcement does not specify an exact start and end time for every regional storefront. Players should check the listing on their own platform to confirm when access begins and ends in their region.
The free weekend is a limited-time opportunity to try the game without purchasing it. It should not be confused with a permanent free-to-play release.
Which Platforms Can Play Riders Republic for Free?
Riders Republic is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Ubisoft also offers access through a Ubisoft+ subscription.
However, the fifth-anniversary announcement does not individually confirm the free-weekend availability and access times for every storefront. Check the relevant store listing before downloading rather than assuming that every version has identical access conditions.
Nintendo Switch 2 is a separate case. Ubisoft has announced a Switch 2 release for December 9, 2026, which is after this free weekend. Players should not assume that the October promotion includes the upcoming Switch 2 version.
Riders Republic Discounts: How Long Do They Last?
Ubisoft has confirmed different promotional deadlines depending on the store. The discount percentages below are the maximum advertised reductions, not guaranteed prices for every edition or region.
| Store | Maximum advertised discount | Sale deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Ubisoft Store | Up to 90% off | October 26, 2026 |
| PlayStation Store | Up to 80% off | November 4, 2026 |
| Xbox Store | Up to 80% off | November 4, 2026 |
The most important distinction is that the free weekend ends before the PlayStation and Xbox sale deadlines.
Players who need more time to decide may have additional days to purchase the game at a discount on those platforms. The Ubisoft Store promotion, by contrast, is scheduled to end on October 26.
The actual price depends on the store, edition, region, and applicable offer. Check the final checkout price and included content before purchasing. A discount advertised for the game does not necessarily apply to every edition or add-on.
Does Riders Republic Progress Carry Over After the Free Weekend?
Yes. Ubisoft has explicitly confirmed that progress made during the free weekend carries over if you purchase Riders Republic afterward.
This makes the promotion more useful than a trial that resets your progress when access expires. You can spend the weekend learning the controls, exploring the map, participating in events, and advancing through the available content before deciding whether to buy the game.
To make the most of the trial:
- Start with the basics. Learn the movement controls and experiment with biking, skiing, snowboarding, and other available activities.
- Try different event types. Racing, tricks, and exploration offer different ways to experience the game. Use the free period to identify what you enjoy most.
- Check your progress before the trial ends. Make sure you are playing through the intended platform account and that your progress is being saved.
- Purchase through your preferred platform. If you decide to continue, check the available editions and promotional price before completing the purchase.
- Return using the same account and compatible game version. Ubisoft confirms progress carryover after purchase, but the announcement does not spell out every account-linking or platform-transfer scenario.
Progress carryover should not be interpreted as a guarantee that a purchase on one platform transfers ownership to another. Carrying over saved progress and obtaining a separate platform licence are different things.
Is Cross-Platform Progression the Same as Progress Carryover?
No. These are related but different features.
Progress carryover in this promotion means that your free-weekend progress is retained when you purchase the game and continue playing.
Cross-platform progression concerns whether progress can follow you when you move between supported platforms. Ubisoft’s general Riders Republic information describes cross-progression support, but players should verify the account-linking requirements and compatibility for their particular setup.
For example, someone trying the game on PC should not assume that buying a console copy automatically transfers the PC licence or that every purchase and add-on will be available on both platforms.
If you plan to switch platforms, check the relevant Ubisoft account and platform requirements before spending money.
What Should You Try During the Free Weekend?
Riders Republic combines extreme sports in a shared open-world environment inspired by American national parks. Its activities include biking, skiing, snowboarding, and wingsuit-based sports, with races, tricks, exploration, and multiplayer competition.
A short trial is most useful when you treat it as a test of whether the game suits your preferences rather than trying to complete everything.
Explore the open world
Spend some time moving around the map and discovering locations. This helps you judge whether the exploration and free-roaming activities appeal to you beyond the structured races.
Test different sports
Try several sports rather than judging the game based on one event. Different activities have distinct movement styles and objectives, so experimenting can help you determine which ones you would return to after purchasing.
Try competitive events
If multiplayer racing is your main interest, use the free period to experience the available competitions and assess how they feel on your platform and connection.
Availability of particular events and paid add-on content may vary, so do not assume every toy, expansion, or premium activity is included in the trial.
Check the game’s progression loop
Consider whether unlocking career content, improving your performance, and collecting gear are activities you want to continue after the promotion. Because progress carries over after purchase, you can use the trial to make a more informed buying decision.
Should You Buy Riders Republic During the Sale?
The decision depends on how much you enjoy the trial and which platform you use.
Buying during the promotion makes sense if you enjoy the sports, want to continue your career progression, and find an edition that offers good value at its actual regional price.
Waiting is reasonable if you need more time to decide or want to compare editions. PlayStation and Xbox have a later advertised sale deadline than the Ubisoft Store, although prices and offer availability can change.
Before purchasing, consider three things:
- Your preferred sports: Make sure the activities you enjoy are part of the base game or the edition you intend to buy.
- The edition’s contents: Check whether any desired toys, packs, or additional content require a separate purchase.
- The platform you will use: Confirm that the sale applies to your storefront and that your saved progress will be available through the account you intend to continue using.
The largest advertised percentage discount is not automatically the best deal if the edition includes content you do not need or the platform is not your preferred place to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Riders Republic Free Weekend end?
The free weekend runs through October 26, 2026. Check your platform’s store listing for the precise local access deadline.
Can I keep my progress if I buy Riders Republic later?
Yes. Ubisoft confirms that progress from the free weekend carries over if you purchase the game afterward. Use the appropriate account and check platform-specific requirements if you intend to switch systems.
How much is Riders Republic discounted?
Ubisoft advertises discounts of up to 90% on the Ubisoft Store through October 26 and up to 80% on PlayStation and Xbox through November 4. Actual prices vary by edition and region.
Is Riders Republic coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Ubisoft has announced December 9, 2026, as the Switch 2 release date. That is after the October free weekend, so availability for the promotion should not be assumed.
Does progress carryover mean I can transfer the game to another platform for free?
No. Progress carryover does not mean that a purchase on one platform grants ownership on another. Check cross-progression and account-linking requirements separately.
Final Takeaway
The Riders Republic Free Weekend runs from October 22 to October 26, 2026, and gives players a chance to try the game before deciding whether to buy it. Ubisoft’s confirmed progress carryover makes the trial especially useful for anyone who wants to continue playing after the promotion.
Keep the separate sale deadlines in mind: the Ubisoft Store offer ends on October 26, while the advertised PlayStation and Xbox offers run through November 4. Check your local store for exact availability and pricing, and confirm your platform and account details before purchasing.