Skate Isle of Grom closes on October 13, 2026, at 6pm BST and reopens on October 20 at 6pm BST. EA is suspending travel to the island for a week while preparing a mid-season event, so you won’t be able to visit during that time even if you have the Premium skate.Pass.
The reopening comes with two weeks of free access to Skate Isle of Grom. Between October 20 and November 3, every player can use the island without Premium or a 500 Rip Chip day pass. Here’s the timetable, how to use the ferry once Grom reopens and what happens when the free period finishes.
When is Skate Isle of Grom closed in October 2026?
EA’s 0.32.5 patch notes specify that the Water Taxi to Skate Isle of Grom is unavailable from October 13, 10am PDT, until October 20, 10am PDT. Both translate to 6pm BST. Patch maintenance begins slightly earlier on October 13 at 5:40pm BST, but the island closure itself is scheduled for 6pm BST.
| Date | Grom availability |
|---|---|
| October 13, 6pm BST | Island closes to all players |
| October 13–20 | Water Taxi unavailable |
| October 20, 6pm BST | Island reopens for everyone |
| October 20–November 3 | Open Access: no pass or Rip Chips |
| From November 3 | General Access restrictions return |
If Skate Isle of Grom appears greyed out in the Ferry Terminal, that is expected. Update 0.32.5 changes the location selector to show unavailable destinations that way. The island isn’t being removed permanently, and an expired pass isn’t the reason for this particular closure.
How to get free Isle of Grom access from October 20
You can return to Skate Isle of Grom for free once the October 20 reopening happens. Go to the San Van Ferry Terminal, select the island and travel there during the Open Access period. There is no need to pay Rip Chips or purchase Premium just to visit.
- Make sure skate. has the current update installed.
- Go to the Ferry Terminal after 6pm BST on October 20.
- Open the list of destinations and select Isle of Grom when it is available.
- Travel to the island during the free October 20–November 3 access period.
- Explore before November 3 if you want to avoid spending Rip Chips.
Travel may also be unavailable during an active Throwdown invitation or an activity countdown. EA lists those as separate Ferry Terminal restrictions. If you’re checking immediately after maintenance, restart the game before assuming the free access hasn’t begun.
Can Premium players visit during the closure?
No. The Skate Isle of Grom closure overrides the usual Premium benefit. Normally Premium players can visit Grom without buying a ticket, and other players can spend 500 Rip Chips on a 24-hour day pass. Neither option gets around the October 13–20 shutdown.
Once the island opens for free, Premium membership no longer makes a difference to entry during that window. Both Premium and Standard players can visit without a day pass, so save your Rip Chips for something else if you were planning to buy access on October 20.
Why is Isle of Grom unavailable?
Full Circle is preparing Skate Isle of Grom for the mid-season event. The October 20 reopening also makes the island available ahead of a proximity voice chat test starting October 21. The voice test is limited to Grom at first, and players must unlock Hedgemont Level 2 to participate.
There are other places to skate while Grom is closed. S.U.M.R. Camp is available with Premium or a 500 Rip Chip 24-hour pass, while The Stadium costs 250 Rip Chips for a day pass without Premium. Those destinations aren’t part of Grom’s free access offer.
What happens after November 3?
After November 3, Skate Isle of Grom returns to the general access system. The free period doesn’t make the island a permanently unlocked destination. Non-Premium players will again need to earn or spend 500 Rip Chips for a 24-hour pass, and Premium owners keep unlimited seasonal access.
If you’re organising a skate session on Grom with friends, October 20 through November 3 is the easiest window to pick. The 6pm BST reopening on October 20 gives everyone entry, and the island remains a featured location while the October 21 proximity voice chat test is underway.
Related Guides
More guides for Skate update 0.32.5.
Official source: EA’s official Skate Season 5 announcement.
