ESO Markarth free access begins on Monday, November 9, 2026. The Markarth DLC joins The Elder Scrolls Online base game, opening The Reach, its story quests and the Vateshran Hollows solo arena to players without a separate Markarth purchase.
Markarth is the final chapter of the Dark Heart of Skyrim adventure, but you don’t have to wait for it to start exploring Western Skyrim. Greymoor joined the base game on October 19. Here’s what arrives on November 9, how ZeniMax says to enter the Reach, and what you can do beforehand.
When does ESO Markarth free access begin?
November 9 is the confirmed date for ESO Markarth free access. ZeniMax has not specified an exact unlock time for this DLC on its Season Two calendar. Before the change takes effect, Markarth still follows its existing DLC access rules.
A Skyrim-themed Golden Pursuit also begins November 9. It’s a separate event with its own challenges, not something you must complete to unlock Markarth. The current Season Two announcement doesn’t yet list its individual tasks or rewards.
ESO Markarth free access starts November 9. Official artwork: ZeniMax Online Studios.
What’s included with ESO Markarth free?
The DLC takes you to The Reach, home to Markarth city and the Druadach Mountains, with another part of Blackreach waiting underground in Arkthzand Cavern. There are two delves, two world bosses and a full set of zone quests to explore.
Markarth brings the Gray Host storyline to its conclusion. You can begin the zone story without finishing Greymoor, but completing both storylines unlocks extra finale quests involving Vampire Lord Rada al-Saran. If you want to follow the full adventure, play Greymoor first.
| Content | Included feature |
|---|---|
| The Reach | Markarth city, exploration, delves and world bosses |
| Arkthzand Cavern | Blackreach zone and quests |
| Dark Heart of Skyrim | Final story and associated quests |
| Vateshran Hollows | Solo arena, bosses, collectibles and hidden routes |
| Zone discoveries | Antiquities, achievements and rewards |
ESO Markarth free covers the Markarth DLC itself, not every Chapter or DLC ESO has released. Other zones and activities may still have their own access requirements.
How to start Markarth and travel to The Reach
Once November 9 access is active, open ESO’s map and travel to The Reach. ZeniMax’s original Markarth patch notes give two ways to begin: use a Wayshrine to travel directly to Markarth city, or go to Collections → Stories and accept “The Despot of Markarth.”
Those are the developer’s documented routes from Markarth’s original launch. The exact entitlement display for its new base-game inclusion has not been tested on November 9 yet. If you see a purchase prompt before that date, it doesn’t change ZeniMax’s announced free-access plan.
For a chronological playthrough, start with Greymoor in Western Skyrim. Then follow Markarth’s main quest when the Reach opens. Players interested in Season Two’s other challenges can use our solo dungeon comparison while waiting.
Does ESO Markarth free include Vateshran Hollows?
Yes. Vateshran Hollows is included with Markarth. It’s an arena in the southern Reach designed for a single player, with normal and veteran difficulties, several paths, bosses and collectibles. Its introductory quest is called “Vateshran’s Rites.”
Unlike the new solo versions of Moon Hunter Keep and March of Sacrifices, Vateshran Hollows wasn’t adapted from a four-player dungeon. It’s a dedicated solo arena with its own progression and rewards.
The new Wolfhunter solo modes have been available since October 21. Vateshran Hollows instead becomes available to base-game players through ESO Markarth free access on November 9.
Is ESO Plus required for Markarth or Antiquities?
You won’t need ESO Plus simply to play the included Markarth content once the base-game change takes effect. The Antiquities skill lines come from Greymoor, which already joined the base game on October 19.
With Scrying and Excavation unlocked, you can hunt Antiquities across Tamriel, including new discoveries in the Reach once Markarth is available. Visit the Antiquarian Circle in Solitude to start that system. Our Skyrim access guide covers the wider seasonal changes.
November 9 Golden Pursuit and what’s next
The Skyrim Golden Pursuit launches on the same date. ZeniMax has confirmed its place on the calendar, but the exact objectives and prizes aren’t listed there. Check the in-game Golden Pursuit panel or a dedicated event announcement when the campaign starts.
For now, the three key dates are October 19 for Greymoor, October 21 for the new solo dungeons and November 9 for ESO Markarth free. Our Season Two overview has the wider schedule.
Related Guides
Official source: ZeniMax Online Studios, Season Two: Echoes of Skyrim.
